Dinner: Maccheroni
our italy itinerary | Rome + Positano TRAVEL GUIDE
With only eight days to explore Italy, we decided to focus on a few of the country’s must-see highlights while hopping between Rome and Positano. If you’re thinking about planning your dream European summer vacation, I’ve detailed our Italy itinerary below along with some of our favorite food recommendations, where we stayed, and a few tips that might help you during your travels abroad! So buckle up, because our 8-day excursion to Italy was the ultimate itinerary, carefully packed to get the most out of exploring the must-see’s from Rome to Positano, while also squeezing in just a bit of downtime to relax and let the jet-lag take it’s course!
SHOP WHAT I PACKED
OUR ITALY ITINERARY
day one
✈️ Knox ➡️ Rome (overnight flight)
10/10 recommend upgrading your seats if you can on an overnight flight. *We initially booked business and a Delta employee suggested we try to upgrade our tickets to first about 3 weeks before our flight. We were able to do this and saved money doing that way instead of immediately booking a first class ticket. Being able to comfortably sleep on the flight made for a more restful first day!
*We booked private transportation from the airport in Rome to our hotel. The airport is quite busy and we wanted to make the most of our time, so we didn’t want to fight lines for public transportation.
where we stayed
Pros: very cool, small hotel and great location. Very close to Piazza Navone, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. We had a great view from our window overlooking a little piazza and street where many enjoyed food and music. Being close to everything made walking to new destinations super easy.
Cons: in a busy area, so if you’re a light sleeper make sure to bring ear plugs or a sound machine.
night one - eat dinner + eplore
We got settled into the hotel and decided to hit the ground running! No time would be wasted! So we took a short stroll to Piazza Navona – Tons of history, statues, architecture, shops/food. (essentially where they held Ancient Roman Olympics and a where few movies have been filmed!) we also went to see the Trevi Fountain at night! Beautiful!
day two - explore Rome
Tour of Colosseum, see the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, etc. Shop and see the Spanish Steps.
Dinner: Cantina e Cucina (SO good! Worth waiting in line.)
Dessert: Two Sizes right next door (the tiramisu may have changed my life)
day three - explore Rome
Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basillica
Dinner: Enzo al 29 (no res-wait in line)
day four - travel to Amalfi Coast
We left Rome in the late morning and arranged for a taxi to take us from our hotel to the train station. (We asked the concierge at the hotel to help us schedule the taxi to ensure we’d be on time for our train). One we got to Roma Termini, we took a train from Rome to Napoli Centrale, where we had arranged a Positano taxi service take us to our hotel in Positano. Driving from Napoli to Positano is not for the motion sick so be sure to take your dramamine ahead of this hour+ long drive! But be sure to wave hi to Mount Vesuvius as you drive out of Napoli!
🚂 Roma Termini ➡️ Napoli Centrale 🚗 ➡️ Positano
where we stayed
10/10 would stay here again – we have zero complaints! The service was incredible, the rooms were spacious and clean, and the views alone from the hotel are worth it. Marincanto also has it’s own private beach which we also loved, as the main Positano beach can be quite crowded. The Marincanto beach was quiet and lovely!
Dinner: Saracena Di Oro
day five - explore Positano
We took the first day a little slow by drinking cappuccinos at Marincanto’s own rooftop, enjoying the scenery. Then we set out on foot to explore Positano! There are lots of little shops on the main street to bounce in and out of – and as you make your way down closer to the shore, more artists and shops to browse.
Lunch: Casa e Bottega
Dinner: Il Ritrovo
day six - beach day
When in Amalfi, a beach day is a must. We lounged at Marincanto’s private beach and took a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Dinner: Da Vicenzo (get reservation)
day seven - explore Capri
⛴️ Ferry from Positano ➡️ Capri
The port can be very busy and confusing. I’d recommend getting to the port early or buying your tickets ahead of time to minimize some of the madness! We got the earliest ferry to Capri in order to spend as much time exploring there as possible, as well as the last ferry out (around 6:30pm). The sea is also quite choppy, so another good time to pack your dramamine!
There’s a lot to do in Capri, so I think it depends on what kind of vacationer you are. We know I’m a bit of a fashion lover, so we waiting in line (about an hour) for a taxi to take us up to the luxury shops. Here you’ll find the whole gang like Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Hermes, Loro Piana, and more! We only took a break from window shopping to eat pizza and grab gelato at Buonocore Gelateria Pasticceria Gastronomia e Tavola Calda!
⛴️ Ferry from Capri ➡️ Positano
Gelato: Buonocore Gelateria Pasticceria Gastronomia e Tavola Calda
Dinner: Chez Black
day eight - travel home
🚗 ➡️ Napoli Centrale 🚂➡️ Fiumicino Airport ✈️ ➡️ HOME!
Our train to the airport was pretty early, so we pre-arranged a taxi to take us from our hotel in Positano to Napoli train station. (A long drive with lots of turns and narrow roads, do take your motion sickness medicine prior!!) From Napoli, the train took us straight into the airport in Rome! From here, it was easy to find our way to customs and get through all of that and to our gate!
POSTCARDS FROM ITALY
ROME + POSITANO - 8 DAY ITALY TRAVEL GUIDE
If you’re thinking about planning your dream European summer vacation, I hope our Italy itinerary above, along with some of our favorite food recommendations, where we stayed, help you during your travels abroad! I feel like there is still so much we haven’t explored and I am already missing my daily Italian gelato!
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Musings by Madison is a lifestyle blog written by Madison Clevenstine. Dedicated to classic style, beauty, home decor, and travel. Rooted in passion for inspiring and encouraging others to create a home, life, + closet they love. For more content, visit my shop page or connect with me on social!
About Madison
I'm Madison - a northern gal planting roots down south. Musings by Madison is your guide to classic style, beauty, home decor & more. Rooted in passion for encouraging others to curate a closet, home, and life they’re proud of and inspired by each day.
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