How I Planned My Italy Route (And Why I Chose Florence, Rome & Sorrento)

1. Start With Your Time (Not the Destinations)

Italy has so many incredible places to see, which honestly makes it harder to plan—especially for your first trip.

I knew I only had one week, and I wanted to visit at least two cities without feeling like I was constantly rushing just to check things off a list. My goal was to actually enjoy each place, not just pass through it.

2. How I Chose My Cities

I had already heard amazing things about Florence, so that felt like an easy yes.

Then I asked myself: what’s a must-see for a first trip to Italy?
For me, that was Rome. It’s one of those places that just feels non-negotiable the first time you go.

I also really wanted to experience a bit of the coast—even if it was just for a day. That’s how I found Sorrento. It’s surprisingly easy to get to from Rome, which made it the perfect option for a day trip.

Would I have loved to spend more time along the Amalfi Coast? Absolutely. But for a first trip, I decided to build around Florence and Rome and treat the coast as a small add-on rather than the main focus.

3. Why I Structured It This Way

I chose to start in Florence because I’d heard it was smaller and more relaxed—and I wanted to ease into the trip rather than jump straight into a big city.

Florence ended up being the perfect place to start:

• Super walkable

• More laid-back

• Easy to explore without overplanning

I also gave myself a bit more time there, which I’m really glad I did. It let me actually settle in and enjoy the city instead of rushing through it.

Rome, on the other hand, is bigger and busier—but still very walkable if you stay in a good location. I stayed about a 30-minute walk from the Colosseum, which worked well for me since I don’t mind walking.

👉 (You can read exactly where I stayed in each city here → [My 1 Week Italy Itinerary]

4. Adding a Day Trip (Sorrento)

I had three days in Rome, and I decided to use one of them for a day trip to Sorrento—and I’m so glad I did.

It was the perfect way to break up the intensity of the city and experience a completely different side of Italy.

Logistics-wise:

• Train from Rome → Naples

• Then local train (Circumvesuviana) → Sorrento

👉 (I booked all my trains through [Omio] / [SNCF Connect], which made it really easy to plan ahead.)

It does make for a longer day, so I’d recommend starting early if you want to make the most of it—but it’s absolutely doable.

5. Why This Route Worked So Well

What I loved most about this route was the balance.

• Florence → slower, more relaxed

• Rome → busy, iconic, full of history

• Sorrento → coastal, scenic, completely different vibe

It also built nicely as a trip—starting smaller and then moving into something bigger and more intense.

And travel-wise, it was all very manageable:

• Florence → Rome train is only about 2 hours

• No need to lose a full day to travel

6. What I’d Do Again (And What I Wouldn’t Change)

Honestly, I wouldn’t change much.

Three destinations in one week felt like the sweet spot for me. I had enough time to explore each place without feeling overwhelmed.

I know some people prefer to pack in as many cities as possible—but personally, I’d rather:

• spend more time in fewer places

• actually experience them

• and enjoy the trip without feeling rushed

For me, it’s always quality over quantity.

7. Tips for Planning Your Own Italy Route

If you’re planning your own trip, here’s what I’d recommend:

• Don’t try to do everything—you’ll just stress yourself out

• Choose a few key places and build around those

• Think in regions, not the entire country

• Plan based on vibes, not just landmarks

For example, my trip leaned more toward:
→ city exploration with a taste of the coast

If I had another week, I would’ve dedicated that entirely to the Amalfi Coast—but that just gives me a reason to come back.

8. Want My Exact Itinerary?

If you want to see exactly how I spent each day—including what I did, where I ate, and what I’d do again—you can read my full itinerary here:

👉 [My 1 Week Italy Itinerary (Florence, Rome & Sorrento)