17 days in Italy Itinerary

Aptly nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome is the birthplace of the Roman Empire, one of the world's greatest civilizations ever.

Rome is known for historic sites, nightlife, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: steep yourself in history at St. Peter's Basilica, delve into the distant past at Colosseum, don't miss a visit to Spanish Steps, and admire the striking features of Pantheon.

To find photos, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Rome online trip maker.

If you are flying in from United States, the closest major aiports are Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport and Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria International Airport. May in Rome sees daily highs of 75°F and lows of 58°F at night. On the 26th (Sun), you're off to Ercolano.

Ercolano is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania of Southern Italy. On the 26th (Sun), pause for some serene contemplation at Parrocchia di Santa Caterina Vergine e Martire.

To find reviews, maps, photos, and tourist information, go to the Ercolano route planning website.

Traveling by car from Rome to Ercolano takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive; or take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Ercolano can reach 74°F, while at night they dip to 58°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Amalfi.

Known for its impressive hillside cascade of colorful stone buildings down to the Mediterranean shore, Amalfi is the cultural and commercial heart of southern Italy's Amalfi Coast.

On the 26th (Sun), see the interesting displays at Museo della Carta and then take in nature's colorful creations at Villa Cimbrone Gardens. On the next day, contemplate the long history of Duomo di Ravello, contemplate the long history of Villa Rufolo, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Duomo di Sant'Andrea, then get great views at Il Sentiero Degli Dei, and finally don't miss a visit to Fiordo di Furore.

To see other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Amalfi trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Ercolano to Amalfi by car takes about an hour. Other options: drive; or do a combination of subway and taxi; or take a train. Traveling from Ercolano in May, Amalfi is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Paestum.

On the 29th (Wed), contemplate the long history of Il Tempio di Nettuno o Poseidone o di Hera II, explore the ancient world of Paestum Ruins, then explore the ancient world of Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Paestum, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Parrocchia Ss. Annunziata, and finally explore the historical opulence of Borgo Medievale di Agropoli.

To find ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Paestum road trip planning tool.

Drive from Amalfi to Paestum in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of bus and train. In May, daytime highs in Paestum are 72°F, while nighttime lows are 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Messina.

Messina is the capital of the Italian Metropolitan City of Messina. To see traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, use the Messina vacation planner.

You can do a combination of car and ferry from Paestum to Messina in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and ferry; or do a combination of car and ferry; or take a bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 73°F, and evening lows to 62°F. On the 30th (Thu), you'll travel to Taormina.

With its warm island weather and cliffside location overlooking the Ionion Sea, Taormina has been one of Sicily's most popular getaway destinations since the early 19th century.

On the 30th (Thu), take in the architecture and atmosphere at Chiesa di San Giuseppe, take in the pleasant sights at Piazza IX Aprile, make a trip to Corso Umberto, then walk around Villa Comunale, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chiesa del Varo.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, read Taormina trip maker app.

Traveling by car from Messina to Taormina takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In May, daytime highs in Taormina are 75°F, while nighttime lows are 61°F. On the 30th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Syracuse.

Philosopher Cicero once described Syracuse as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all." A powerful city-state of ancient Greece, Syracuse now is the capital of the eponymous Italian province on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Thu): get engrossed in the history at Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi and then explore the ancient world of Teatro Greco.

To find ratings, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, use the Syracuse planning website.

You can drive from Taormina to Syracuse in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Catania.

The landscape surrounding Catania, a medieval city on Sicily's eastern coast, is dominated by Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read Catania day trip planner.

You can drive from Syracuse to Catania in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or take a train. In May, plan for daily highs up to 75°F, and evening lows to 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Venice.

Virtually unchanged for the last six centuries, Venice is actually a group of islands made famous by a series of canals, bridges, monuments, piazzas, and narrow pedestrian lanes.

Go for a jaunt from Venice to Padua to see Scrovegni Chapel about 54 minutes away. There's much more to do: explore the activities along Canal Grande, make a trip to Basilica di San Marco, take in the views from Ponte dei Sospiri, and take in panoramic vistas at St Mark's Campanile.

To see other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Venice trip itinerary builder app.

Getting from Catania to Venice by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of train and ferry; or do a combination of car and ferry. In June, daytime highs in Venice are 81°F, while nighttime lows are 63°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to drive to Verona.

The famous setting for Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, Verona is one of northern Italy's main tourist destinations, largely owing to its incredibly rich artistic heritage.

Verona is known for nightlife, historic sites, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: experience the emotional art of opera at Arena di Verona, take in the views from Ponte Scaligero (Ponte di Castelvecchio), make a trip to Piazza Bra, and indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink.

For other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Verona travel planning website.

Getting from Venice to Verona by bus takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus; or take a shuttle. In June in Verona, expect temperatures between 84°F during the day and 63°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can travel back home.