A few Italy travel tips after seeing so many overpacked itineraries

I've been seeing a lot of Italy travel itineraries that are way too packed, with too many cities and landmarks squeezed into just a few days without even considering distances or traffic. For that reason, I wanted to leave these Italy travel tips here in case they help anyone planning a trip.

This is basic but choose fewer cities and stay longer in each

Italy is meant to be enjoyed slowly, so resist the urge to pack in too many destinations. The best experiences happen when you're not rushing to the next city, believe me.

Pick 2–3 base cities and do day trips from there instead of moving hotels every two days. A realistic split for two weeks could be Rome (3 nights), Florence (2–3 nights), a day trip to Tuscany from Florence, Venice (2 nights), and Sorrento (2–3 nights).

Lake Como, Lake Iseo, and the Dolomites are beautiful, but they add significant travel time. They're only really worth including if you have an extra day or two available.

Avoid summer it's better to go in spring

July and August are terrible in some European countries, extreme heat, huge crowds, and higher prices. It can really ruin the experience, especially if you're looking to disconnect and relax.

April and May are the sweet spot, with pleasant weather fewer tourists, and a much better atmosphere for walking and exploring.

Always book the major attractions early

The Vatican Museums, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the Colosseum all require advance booking and can sell out weeks ahead during summer.

Accommodation prices also jump significantly the closer you get to your travel date. Book hotels early and choose refundable rates in case your plans change.

Train tickets on Trenitalia or Italo are much cheaper when booked in advance. High-speed trains between Rome, Florence, and Naples are often faster than flying once you factor in airport transfers and waiting times.

Trenitalia and Italo are the two main high-speed rail operators. Both are reliable, so it's worth comparing prices before booking.

Some planning tips:

Start by researching destinations through guidebooks (check your local library), YouTube, Reddit, and travel blogs to narrow down where you actually want to go.

Rick Steves' Europe episodes on YouTube are a great starting point for getting a feel for each city before diving into the details.

Create a Google Sheet listing the sites, museums, experiences, and food you're interested in for each city, then prioritize what matters most. This also helps you identify what requires advance tickets.

Lock in your entry and exit airports first, then build the itinerary around train connections between cities.

Also consider booking a local guide for one or two specific experiences, such as a Tuscany wine tour. It's worth it and can completely change your experience.

If you have more tips, leave them in the comments, and I hope these help you plan your trip :)