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Tested in Italy: Everything I Packed, Booked, & Used
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items I spent 5 weeks exploring Italy last year, and this is the exact blueprint of my trip. Every item, hotel, and tour on this list was personally tested by me on the ground, if for some reason what I used isn't available anymore I have listed an alterna...
Sections
7
The Master Itineraries
The Day-Trips & Activities
Hotels
Restaurants
Souvenirs
Gear
The Master Itineraries
I used G Adventures for the 3 weeks of my trip to Italy. They handle the complex logistics while allowing you to experience the destinations through a sustainable, local lens. These are the three specific itineraries I completed.
My first Local Living Tour Experience. I loved being able to settle in for the week in one place and day tripping to the other places in Tuscany. It looks like the itinerary has changed a little since my trip we started and ended in Rome (though I stayed in Florence to joing my next tour). One of our day trips was to Florence, Voltera was not on the itinerary at the time. You will love Ugo and his family, if they are your hosts, they were lovely. Casa Florelia was just a short walk from San Gimignano.
Local Living Italy - Tuscany San Gimignano | G Adventures
My second tour in Italy, it picked up right where the first left off. I literally left my first Local Living in the morning and had the welcome meeting for this one in the evening. This one we moved every 1 to 2 days, I will single out some of the hotels along the way in the hotel section. Cinque Terre is amazing, be sure to go as early as you can, we started at the furthest village and worked our way back, by the time we got to the third village the crowds had set in. I didn't love the ferry to Bellagio in Lake Como, a long trip for little reward in my opinion.
Best of Northern Italy: Florence to Venice | G Adventures
The last of my guided tours of the trip. Agriturismo Sant'Alfonso is amazing. Beautiful location, amazing food and alot of history. The only downside I felt for this trip was it was the last of the season, and the Amalfi Coast had slowed down somewhat and some of the optional activities listed in the itinerary weren't offered to us. If hiking isn't your thing (it's not really mine), I chose to skip the Path of the Gods hike. Instead I took the bus from near our accommadation to Amalfi and then caught the ferry to meet with my other tour mates in Positano.
Local Living Italy—Amalfi Coast Winter | G Adventures
I never go overseas without travel insurance! I am a big believer of the adage if you can't afford insurance you can't afford to travel.
Travel Insurance Quote – Get Cover in Minutes | Cover-More Australia
The Day-Trips & Activities
For specific museum entries, skip-the-line passes, or deep-dive city tours outside of the main itinerary, I used GetYourGuide. Booking these ahead of time saved me hours of waiting in line at major Italian landmarks.
I love street art! So whever I have the chance I try and find a tour to take me through a cities famous (or unknown) works. This tour in Naples was just what I needed.
Naples: Spanish Quarter Street Art & Folklore Walking Tour
When I arrive somewhere one of the first things I do is just wander, when I got to Rome after my Amalfi Coast tour I found myself in the Jewish Quarter and wanted to know more. This tour opened my eyes to alot of WWII history I had no idea about and introduced me to Trastavere. The guide was really knowledgable and gave some great restaurant recommendations.
Rome: Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Tour
I had been to the Colosseum before (20 years ago), so this one I really debated doing it. So glad that I did, there was so much that I had forgotten and I would have missed alot just wandering around myself.
Rome: Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum Guided Tour
Full disclosure this isn't the exact tour that I did, mine was organised through GAdvantures as an optional extra, but after trawling through GYG this was the closest itinerary that I could find. So much good food in Napoli that it would be a shame not to get a taste.
Book Things To Do, Attractions, and Tours | GetYourGuide
One of the most memorable of my day tours. Worth the extra money I had to budget for it. A full day tour through the Emilia Romana region delicacies, ending with a massive meal, party and karaoke.
Bologna Food Experience Factory & Lunch By Italian Days
For just a small donation you can see this extremely detailed miniature version of San Gimignano.
SanGimignano1300
Hotels
This is going to be a combination of hotels used during the tours that I particularly enjoyed and the ones that I chose for the independent parts of my trip. I didn't stay completely restricted to tours, that would have driven me crazy. You can check out an article I wrote about how I choose where to stay here at The Layered Traveller. The first images will be my own wherever possible, but don't think I photographed every room…lol
This was the starting hotel for my tour (that now starts and ends in Florence), as you can see from my photo and the ones from the listing itself it is simple. Walking distance from the Termini and a Metro Station. I arrived on an early flight and they were nice enough to store my luggage until check in while I wandered. As long as you don't do in with the wrong expectations, I had no issues with it.
Hotel San Marco, Rome (updated prices 2026)
The accommadation of my first Local Living Tour. This felt like a little bit of home, I grew up on farm and was really comfortable with the rural feel. The short walk to San Gimignano was great and Ugo and his family were amazing hosts.
Appartamento primo piano - Casa Florelia Appartamenti San Gimignano
This was the starting hotel for my Northern Italy tour. It was a short tram ride and walk from the main train station, and completely walkable when you don't have bags. Once I stored my bags I walked everywhere I wanted that day. I got lucky and they let me check in early, so I could relax a little as well. I got what I call the jackpot of group tours, when there are an uneven number of solo travellers and you get a single room without paying the supplement. Like most tour hotels simple and serviceable.
Hotel Meridiana, Florence (updated prices 2026)
La Spezia was out base for experiecing Cinque Terre. Hotel was very central, walking distance to the harbour, park, restaurants and the train station. Again simple but that is all we needed.
Hotel Genova - La Spezia
Our base for Lake Como, it was the most modern and largest of the places we stayed. Fairly easy walk to the train station, to the port for the ferry and funincular. Plenty of restaurants in the surrounding areas.
B&B Hotel Como City Center
As was the case with all the tour hotels, they were simple with all the necessary amenities. This was a short walk from just about everything you need.
Albergo Marin, Venice (updated prices 2026)
This was the accommadation in Bologna, for the first solo section of my trip. I chose an AirBNB because I wanted the opportunity to do laundry myself without having to hang out at a laundromat, have a break from the sometimes claustraphobic hotel feeling, a little bit more like home. I had some of my best meals with recommendations from my host. It was a bit of a walk from the train station, dodging bikes and the feel of its location reflected the University town vibes.
Rental unit in Bologna · ★4.9 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 private bath
I had a few extra days in Naples before my last GAdventures tour started and while most of the time I will just book the tours starting hotel for the extra days. The value for money of this place was huge. And when so many hotel rooms are tiny, I was so surprised by the size of the room when I checked in! It's proximity to the train station can make the area it is in seem dodgy, but I never felt unsafe. The host also gave some great recommendations, that I build my own self guided tour around. I would stay there again.
B&B Pika 48, Naples (updated prices 2026)
This was the starting hotel of my Amalfi Coast tour, I got really lucky when the staff let me check in early, I had gotten sick from some bad pasta (I promise not to recommend that restaurant in the next section), but I message the staff the day of m... I was very grateful. Certainly the most colourful, and when I walked into the room it almost gave Hostel vibes. I din't love having to upstairs for the bathroom but that is a small complaint.
Correra 241 Lifestyle Hotel, Naples (updated prices 2026)
This was handsdown one of my two favourite places I stayed in Italy. Of my images, I didn't include one of the room itself but the amazing view out the window. The whole area was amazing! Staying here for a week was unforgettable. So much history in the place. You are so well fed, honestly I would say don't eat lunch, most nights we had a 3 or 4 course meal it was just neverending, in the best way possible. On a spare afternoon I just sat up in, what they call the solarium, on a swinging chair and contemplated never leaving. If I had one bad thing to say, it was expensive, slow laundry service…lol…. I would love to go back.
Agriturismo Sant'Alfonso, Furore (updated prices 2026)
This is my other favourite accomadation from my stay. When I was choosing it I knew that I wanted something more homely. Rome was my last stop and after 4 weeks fairly constantly on the move, I wanted somewhere where I could relax a bit an just stop (not exploring), just slow down before I had to go home and go back to work. This was the perfect place for that. You feel like you are getting welcomed into Marco (the hosts) home. He is so warm and friendly. Gave me recommendations every morning at breakfast based on what I told him I would be doing that day. He ever gave me a special tart on the morning of my birthday, which happened to fall during my stay. It is located just near Circo Massimo, a decent walk or short metro ride from most of the major sights. If I find myself in Rome again, I will definitely be staying with Marco.
Vecchia Roma Resort, Rome (updated prices 2026)
Restaurants
These are some of the many restaurants, cafes, patisseries etc that I enjoyed throughout Italy.
I had my first proper meal here, and enjoyed it enough to return 5 weeks later for one of my last.
Al Gallinaccio
This was probably the second best Gelato I had in Italy. In the beautiful Trastavere neighbourhood was recommended by my guide through the Jewish Ghetto and Trastavere. Worth it!
Fiordiluna
This place was full of delicious treats, I devoured my donut pastry thing. It seemed to be loved by locals and tourists alike.
Forno Campo de' Fiori
This one is probably aimed more at the tourists but it was absolutely delicious. They have dining in and take away options. I had a mixture of their signature Triangular filled breads and suppli. Make sure you ask about the specials, what I had, a slow cooked beef and red wine mixture wasn't on the everyday menu.
Trapizzino | Trastevere
Souvenirs
While I do love a good fridge magnet and stereotypical touristy junk I also strive to get some true quality products from local artisans. Here I am listing some recommendations for those higher quality options. Anyone can find the touristy stuff.
When I asked my mum what she wanted me to get her in Italy, of all the things she could have asked for all she wanted was a spoon rest. After much searching I stumbled into this store in Sorrento. I watched the gentlemen in the store crafting the pie...
Terrerosse Sorrento
All of this intricate work is absolutely beautiful. Pricey but worth it.
Mastellone Giuseppe Inlaid wood Showroom & Gift Shop
Gear
Some of the most important bit's and pieces I kept with me during the trip
I haven't always been one to travel with a reusable water bottle, but I made sure I had one for this trip. What made this one different? All over Rome in particular there are Nasoni, cast iron drinking fountains to refil your bottles with beautiful cool water.
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle 24oz Denim
I don't think I will every travel without an esim again. It gives such peace of mind and keeps me connected. I wrote more about on The Layered Traveller.
Buy eSIMs for international travel - Airalo | Airalo
I can be a bit accident prone at times and become even more paranoid about it when I travel. This wrist strap can help as protection agains theft and general clumsiness. Because of this I haven't lost my phone to thieft, water or plummet from hot air baloon.
Anti Theft Phone Wrist Strap with Metal Tabs
What I Didn't Get To Do But Wish I Had
As much as you want to do everything it is literally impossible. Here are some of the things I didn't get to do but wish I had, some for the simple reason I didn't realise how far in advance you needed to book.
I didn't realise just how quickly this could book out. If it's high on your list be sure to get in early.
Book Things To Do, Attractions, and Tours | GetYourGuide