By Gabriel Eronmosele, Erons Travel, Fargo, ND · Last verified September 28, 2026
Quick answer:
- Plan 9 to 12 nights, choose two or three bases, and connect cities by train.
- Add Venice or the Amalfi Coast only if you have the nights to enjoy them.
- In our recent planning, a luxury trip for two often lands around $12,000 to $22,000 on the ground before international air; get a current quote for your dates.
Italy is the trip we hear about most from Minneapolis, Fargo, Des Moines, Omaha and Kansas City, and the one people overpack.
Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast in eight nights is a luggage relay, not a vacation. This guide covers a land itinerary.
Image courtesy of Jonathan Körner on Unsplash
Start with the nights you actually have
Count the overnight flight and arrival fatigue first.
- Six nights is one city plus a day trip.
- Ten nights gives you Rome, Florence and either countryside or coast.
- Nine to twelve nights is where a first trip feels finished.
Image courtesy of David Köhler on Unsplash
Sample routes that work
- The first-timer (10 nights): Rome 3, Florence and Tuscany 4, Amalfi or the Pontine coast 3. Fly into Rome and home from Naples when the fare is sensible.
- The food trip: Base in Bologna or Modena, add a night in Florence, and skip Venice unless you add nights.
- The “we hate packing” trip: Rome 4, then one coastal hotel for 5.
Image courtesy of Tom Podmore on Unsplash
Trains, drivers and hotels
Trains are the right tool between Rome and Florence.
A private driver is better on the Amalfi Coast and on any day you move with three suitcases. A rental car in a historic center means paying for it in parking.
We choose hotels for a room you can sleep in after a long routing through MSP, a location that doesn’t need a cliffside staircase with grandparents, and a rate that qualifies for preferred-partner amenities such as breakfast, a credit and upgrade requests. Amalfi inventory in June is a ten-month problem.
When to go
Late April to early June and mid-September to October balance weather and demand.
July and August work if you accept the heat and crowds. Book timed entry for the Vatican and the Colosseum.
Image courtesy of Kit Suman on Unsplash
What changes for a Midwest departure
A Fargo or Grand Forks departure adds a connection before the overnight flight to Europe.
Keep the first Italian day light, and don’t buy a nonrefundable arrival-day tour. Families tied to Minnesota or North Dakota school calendars should check flights and hotels together, because a June Amalfi room is no use if the connection lands you a day late.
Image courtesy of Engjell Gjepali on Unsplash
FAQ
Should a first trip include Venice?
If it’s a priority and you can give it time. Otherwise save it for the next visit.
Do we need a rental car?
Usually not for Rome, Florence and Venice. Countryside stays may be different.
When should we book?
For peak summer, 8 to 12 months ahead for hotels. For shoulder season, 4 to 8 months.
Should we cruise instead?
If you want several coasts without repacking, yes. If you want a long dinner in a Tuscan village, choose land.
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