August 13th - 24th, 2026
ITaly & germany
your itinerary!
BEFORE YOU GO! DOWNLOAD THE APPS ROME2RIO AND WHATSAPP. SET UP WHATSAPP WITH THE NUMBER 1-435-690-9279. Whatsapp is used throughout europe and you will receive tickets and information via this channel
August 12th travel to munich, Germany
Confirmation #: HVZ4IL
Flight: DL2236
9:42AM, Depart Salt Lake City
3:09PM, Arrive Detroit
Layover: 1hr 31min
Flight: DL0022
4:40PM, Depart Detroit
6:55AM, Arrive Munich
August 13th welcome to munich + Dachau Concentration
Arrive 6:15am
Train 7:05am - 7:43am
Walk to the hotel to drop off your luggage
Bayer 89 Vi Vadi Hotel
Check-in: Thu, Aug 13, 3PM check in
Check-out: Sun, Aug 16, 12pm check out
3-night stay
Address: Bayerstraße 89, 80335 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 250077540
It’s a very short walk from the hotel to your tour meeting point so I recommend finding a little cafe on the way to grab something to eat. You’ll want to buy some snacks and water too because the tour doesn’t include anything. You won’t find anywhere to buy them at the memorial- and if that’s changed since I was there, I can guarantee they will be far more expensive.
10:00am meet your tour here: Radius Tours, Dachauer Str. 4, 80335 München, Germany
10:15am tour starts
3:15pm-ish return to Munich and check in to your hotel
Freshen up and head into old town!
5:00PM Rathaus-Glockenspiel will perform for about 5 minutes and it’s worth a watch.
Grab some dinner and explore if you still have steam left!
August 14th travel to SALZBURG and hallstatt
7:15AM, Get an early start and walk to the train station to pick up your reserved rental car.
Sixt rental agency
Confirmation: 9733779049
Purchase the “Smart” insurance package when you pick up the car.
Munich Stachus (City), Karlsplatz 3, Muenchen, 80335
Rental window= Aug 14th, 7:30AM to Aug 16th, 7:30AM
You should have a full tank when you pick up the vehicle. If you don’t say something right away because they will expect you to return it with a full tank.
You’ll want to allow 2 hours to get to Salzburg, park and walk into the old center. Across the street from the parking lot I will recommend is a free experience that I found pretty and it won’t take long to see. Mirabell Gardens (Mirabellplatz) was in the Sound of Music and it’s a beautiful short stroll.
Walk into old town and explore the streets to see the town.
Included in your castle ticket is the round trip funicular ride to and from the fortress at the top of the hill. You’ll spend about 45 minutes at the ticket desk and taking the funicular up. Take the tickets below to the ticket counter where they will exchange them for the tickets you’ll need to ride the funicular and enter the fortress. The tickets are good all day, from 8:30am to 8pm
FestungsBahn Cable Railway to the Fortress
Festungsgasse 4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Drive to Hallstatt. This drive will take you about an hour. It’s a gorgeous drive! You’ll want to park in one of the public lots and walk into the little town. They’re famous for their salt mines so be sure to stop at one of the shops.
Return to Munich. The drive will take about 2 and a half hours.
While your tickets to the castle will be timed the rest of your day is flexible so you should make stops for photos, snacks and walks to explore. The whole day will be gorgeous.
August 15th bavaria, Neuschwanstein castle + hohenschwagau castle
6:30am-6:45am, drive to Neuschwanstein Castle. You should allow 2 hours to drive to the castle but it should be closer to 1hr 45min at that time of morning.
8:30am, arrive at the parking area: Alpseestraße, 87645 Hohenschwangau
Make your way up to the castle!
10:05am audio guide tours
Following your time at Neuschwanstein Castle you can drive ten minutes to the Tegelberg Cable Car where your ticket will take you to the top and return you back to the valley. I recommend getting a bite to eat at the cafe on the mountain for lunch so you can spend a little time taking in the views and recharging before going to the next castle. Just be mindful of the time.
Drive to Hohenschwagau Castle: Alpseestraße 27, 87645 Schwangau, Germany. This should only take about 10 minutes.
1:30pm audio tour of Hohenschwagau Castle
2:30-3:00pm return to Munich, park and walk into the square in old tone Munich
Dinner, döner kebab, Hobrahouse and get some leberkäse here Weilheimer Landmetzger. Stop while exploring to buy some chocolate- Milka and Caille
August 16th travel to venice
You’ll return the rental car to the train station and then take the train to the airport to catch your flight to Venice.
Flight # EN 8202
11:45AM Depart Munich
12:45PM Arrive Venice
Travel from the airport to the islands can be done by car, bus, or train. Either way you will arrive in nearly the same location- Santa Lucia Train Station or Piazzale Roma Park Terminal.
If you want to take the bus from the airport you want the ACTV bus #5 or ATVO bus to Venezia-Piazzale Roma
From either the bus or train station you want to take Waterbus #1 (vaporetto ACTV) heading in the direction of Rialto. Get off at the “Rialto Mercato” stop and walk from there. You could also take a private water taxi to the Hotel, closest dock is “Rialto Mercato”. Private water taxis are expensive though.
After disembarking from the waterbus (vaporetto ACTV line 1), walk under the archway directly in front of you and then turn right. Continue in this direction and turn on the second alley left (you’ll see the sign “Pensione Guerrato”).
Check in to your hotel Stay at Hotel Guerrato
A city tax is 4 euro per person/night. Must be paid in cash upon arrival. This is standard.
Check in Aug 16, 2pm
Check out Aug 18, 10am
Breakfast included
Calle Drio La Scimia 240a, Venice, VE, 30125 Italy
Phone: +39 041 528 5927
August 17th venice
Start your day by heading to the shop in front of the Church of San Zaccaria: Campo S. Zaccaria, 4683g, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy. The meeting point looks like:
9:40am meet your host who will check you in and provide you with your tickets to the Basilica, Doges Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Any trouble, call +393477603568 You’ll want to show your guide the voucher code:
Your guide will be with you through the Basilica but will then leave you to yourselves to explore. From the basilica you can head to the Doges Palace.
Following, walk to the Bridge of Sighs. It’s very pretty and worth seeing on foot and from a gondola. Your ticket also gets you into three museums in the square:
Museo Correr: Located in the Procuratie Nuove, this museum chronicles Venetian history through art, maps, and navigational instruments.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum): Houses a significant collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures.
Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana: Historic library featuring ornate 16th-century ceilings and rare manuscripts.
You’ll have no trouble finding a gondola along the waterfront near the bridge. You may have to wait a while but it’s worth it. OR wait until the evening when the prices drop and take one from closer to your hotel. It will for sure be less expensive. Totally up to you!
They have a tradition in Venice to gather at little cafes and share cicchetti. They’re small, affordable appetizers normally paired with wine but they have other things. It’s pronounced (pronounced chee-KET-eeh) Be sure to stop for a break at some point at one of the little cafes that serve these
August 18th venice to florence
You’ll return to the train station to travel to Florence. Keep your passports with you all day today!
8:05AM Depart Venice
10:20AM you’ll arrive in Florence.
You’ll want to head to the hotel to drop off your bags. While at the hotel you can use their wifi to download your tickets to the Uffizi as well as the audio tour. More information will be sent to you via WhatsApp but here is what you need for the audio guide:
https:/ /pg.unlockmy.app/NvkebGXZr2eiK3ga7
Username: BGA-000232 Password: 1910
Albergo Firenze
Check in Aug 18, 2:30pm
Check out Aug 20, 10:30am
Piazza Donati 4, Florence, FI, 50122 Italy
Phone: +39 055 268301
11:45am, Take an Uber to lunch at Trattoria dall’Oste where you should make a reservation for 12pm
After lunch explore the exterior of the duomo and area.
1:55pm, meet your host in front of the Lindt Chocolate shop on the left side of the cathedral, near the Dome's entrance. Address: Piazza del Duomo, 15R, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy Look for your guide holding a white flag. They will give you your entry tickets and make sure you get to your timed dome climb. Here are the vouchers you’ll need to show them:
4:00pm, Walk to the Uffizi Museum, cool off and enjoy the artwork. This walk should take 15 minutes. Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 5, 50122 Firenze FI,
Italia. Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the activity start time (4:15pm). Late arrivals to the meeting point are not guaranteed entry. Head to the courtyard on the right side of the Uffizi Gallery entrance. Look for your host holding the Purple flag and with the Crown Tours logo. They'll be waiting for you under the "Donatello Statue." For any assistance, contact Crown Tours via the app chat feature. This app information will be sent to you via WhatsApp
4:30pm, entry into the museum.
Take an Uber or taxi to Piazzale Michelangelo for the view at sunset
Return to your hotel
August 19th Florence
Today you have a Vespa tour scheduled! You’ll want to walk to the tour meeting point at Piazza della Stazione, 27, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy. Be there at about 8:05am to check in to your tour and be sure to bring your driver’s license with you.
8:20am your tour starts
2:30/3PM Return to Florence
OPEN AFTERNOON
Dinner Palazzo Vecchio
August 20th Florence to rome
Train to Rome 1 hr 36 min
9:43AM Depart Florence via bullet train #9917
11:19AM Arrive in Rome
You’ll want to head to your hotel to drop off your luggage. All arranged in advance!
Hotel Quirinale
Check in Aug 20, 2:30pm
Check out Aug 24, 12:00pm
Address: Via Nazionale, 7, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 4707
Walk or take a car to the Trevi Fountain
Grab food and treats from L' Antico Forno Di Fontana Di Trevi
Walk to the Pantheon passing the 16th-century Galleria Sciarra (known for its Liberty-style frescoes), the Jesuit church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, and the Piazza di Pietra featuring the ancient pillars of the Temple of Hadrian.
August 21st rome
7-24 hours before visiting the Colosseum you will receive your entry tickets via WhatsApp. There will be a host on site to help if you have any trouble tel:+390645259865 You should be able to take the tickets sent to you right to the entry gates where they will scan the QR code and let you in. Fi you need to reach out to the host, your booking reference code is: 1398228605 And here are your vouchers in case the host needs to scan them:
8:40am, Arrive at the Colosseum: Piazza del Colosseo, P.za del Colosseo, 00184 Roma RM, Italy. There will be a security line you will have to go through.
Exit the Colosseum and start walking along the Via del Fori Imperiali. Direction? Put the Colosseum at your back and take the left side of the street.
The first ruin you see on your left is Palestine Hill and your ticket will get you through the gate. From the top of the hill you will have a great view of the Colosseum
Return to Via del Fori Imperiali and continue walking. On your left you will see the Roman Forum next. Your tickets will allow you to walk through the archeological site. You'll also see if from above as you walk along that main avenue. Very cool to see and underrated imo
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE EXPLORING IN THAT AREA:
After exploring that site, return to Via del Fori Imperiali. If you're ready for lunch it's a good time to cross the street. Ristorante Pizzeria Imperiale looks like a solid choice.
After lunch return to Via del Fori Imperiali and stay on the right side of the street. On your right you'll see the Forum of Augustus. In front of you you'll see the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II.
Once you reach the monument you'll cross the street again to visit Piazza del Campidoglio (designed by Michelangelo and Santa Maria in Aracoeli Basilica. Entry is free. Once you've strolled through the Piazza and peaked into the basilica you can head back to your hotel or right to your cooking class
*this may seem like a lot but if you were to walk from the Colosseum to the basilica directly it would only take 17 minutes! This is an easy/beautiful way to spend a day in Rome and you'll see a lot or important sites.
5:15pm you’ll want to meet for your cooking class! You’re meeting at: Via Giuseppe Zanardelli, 14, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
You’ll meet the chef inside the restaurant 'Gusto al Passeto, Eat and Walk Italy - Cooking Classes
Just in case the telephone number is +393922324104
August 22nd rome
The dress code today: cover knees and shoulders.
This morning you’ll want to get an early start for your tour of Vatican City. The subway is the most affordable way to get there from your hotel. The fastest would be to take a ten minute taxi ride. If you take the subway you’ll want to leave the hotel at 7:45am and your route/timing will look like this:
You want to arrive 20 minutes early to meet your guide and check in. The address is: Via Plauto, 17/A, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +393495508407
August 23rd rome
Your tour of Hadrian's Villa and Villa D'Este is today!
You’ll want to make your way tot he meeting place: Castro Pretorio Metro Station (Line B). The representative will be there holding a flag that says 'Enjoy Rome.' This will be easy to find using the Rome2Rio app.
Castro Pretorio, 00161 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
You’ll want to meet there at 9:05am to check in with the guide.
Your tour starts at 9:30am and you should be back to Rome around 3:30pm. Lunch is included!
August 24th return home
You’ll want to take an Uber taxi for the best no hassle rate to the airport.
Confirmation #: HVZ4IL
Flight: DL0043
12:20PM, Depart Rome
3:30PM, Arrive Seattle
Layover: 1hr 31min
Flight: DL1165
6:09PM, Depart Seattle
9:17AM, Arrive Salt Lake City
Below is archived copy just in case we need to reference it
some ideas and thoughts
Based off of my research, you’re correct- Traveling into Munich and out of Rome is the cheaper route and makes the most sense. That route is about $1,200 per person with one checked piece of luggage and the option to select your seat in the main cabin.
To Rome and home from Munich would be round $1,400-$1,500 per person.
To Frankfurt and home from Rome would be $1,100, so the savings aren’t enough to warrant flying there and taking the train to Munich.
For free, I can book all of the accommodations and excursions! What would cost more would be for me to book your train tickets, make dinner reservations, create custom guided or self guided tours, book airfare, or plan your time day to day in detail. I did however spend a bit of extra time drafting this because it’s your first trip to Europe and I want you guys to have an amazing experience. I don’t always have the time but when I do I’m more than happy to help.
Next steps; let me know what you’re interested in doing in each city and I can recommend the number of days in each city you would need to do those things. Once you feel comfortable with that, I will look into accommodations for those dates. The dates impact the cost so I would be remiss giving you numbers upfront. What I’ll do is provide you with 3-4 option in each city that seem like a good fit. You can let me know if any of them are a good fit and if not I will pull more options. I don’t book anything until you guys are totally happy. Minuch will be the cheapest city followed by Rome, Florence and the Venice. I think accommodations will run $200- $400 a night, but more if you want to upgrade. I’m estimating that to be the range for the high end of budget/low end of moderate. Clean and well located being key.
If there’s anything you’re interested in that you don’t see here let me know! I can get pricing. The prices below are near accurate and shouldn’t change much
munich
The number of days spent in Munich will depend on what time your flight would arrive and what you would like to do there. Here’s what I can personally vouch for:
A full day tour to Neuschwanstien Castle. Many of the tours include Linderhof Palace as well but I haven’t been. Neuschwanstien Castle is absolutely beautiful and so is the area it’s in. You travel through the Black Forest to the base of the Alps where it’s perched on a steep hill/mountain that’s dwarfed by the Alps. Tours take you in a bus and it’s an easy day. Alternatively you can rent a car to skip the Palace or have the freedom to stop along the way. If you have a car you can take the Tegelberg Cable Car up to the peak of one of the mountains for a view of the Alps and the forests below. I’ve never done it but they also have a toboggan ride that looks fun. The tour may or may not include it but they have horse drawn carriages up to the castle too.
The tours are about 10 hr 30 min and range in price from $135 - $235 per person. Car rentals are $250 or less and tickets to the castle are $25 per person.The old district of Munich is very walkable and cute. You could spend the whole day visiting the outdoor market where they sell locally sourced food and hand crafted items. They have a Maypole that they still use during festivals in the middle of the Viktualienmarkt area. The old churches are free to enter and there are lots of shade trees and park benches to take rests. There are restaurants I can recommend as well. While in old town you have to see Rathaus-Glockenspiel, it’s really cool and people gather around to watch the cuckoo clock figures do their thing a few times a day. (11am, noon and 5pm). You may find live music outside that time of year. I was there in the shoulder season and saw three live performances on the street …one of them was even good! lol This would be free
Here’s what also looks interesting for you guys:
You can take the train to Dachau Concentration Camp for a tour (5hrs, $60 per person)
You can take a Third Reich, WWII, walking tour (2hr 30min, $45 per person)
An electric bike tour, might help you explore and beat the heat (4 hour, $72 per person)
munich to venice
The train would take 7 hours without stops and would cost about $150 per person.
Flights are 1 hour non stop and cost about $225 per person
venice
The number of days spent here also depends on what you would like to do but I recommend two days. Venice is surprisingly walkable and small.
My first tip on what to do with your time here is to consider planning nothing at all for one day (or half days with a tour in the morning while it’s a bit cooler and then slow wandering in the afternoons). Walk the streets, get lost and rest at little cafes.
A gondola ride is a relaxing way to see the city from the water and it’s so much fun. It’s more expensive than you would think but it’s worth it to even add the extra to take the smaller canal routes as well as some of the main waterways. This is something you can do folded in to one of the tours or just on your own. It should be about $100-$115 for about 30 minutes during the day and $115-$130 in the evening (after 7pm)
Visit Murano & Burano Islands. They’re famous for making lace and glassblowing and the building are bright pops of color along the water. You can see all the goods for sale and you’ll take private water taxis across the lagoon to see them. A tour is about 5 hours long and $60 per person)
There’s a tour that takes you to Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace with a guide and it includes a gondola ride. You would be sharing the gondola with three more people and a couple of reviews say that it was 20 minutes (3hr 30min and $125 per person) These are things that can be done without a tour though if you would prefer and it would be cheaper. You would just need to look up the information you were interested in about the sites.
If you want to do the gondola ride privately but you’re still interested in taking a tour of Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace with a guide it’s 2hrs and 30min, $90 per person
They have a tradition in Venice to gather at little cafes and share cicchetti. They’re small, affordable appetizers normally paired with wine but they have other things. It’s pronounced (pronounced chee-KET-eeh). The little local bars are called bàcari. A drink enjoyed with these Venetian style tapas is known as an ombra. Food tours will stop at these places but you can also find them on your own and should ask a local for a recommendation. The food they prep changes with the season etc so there are no menus
I haven’t done these but they would be fun:
Take a cooking class for about $105-$150 per person. There are lots of different options here!
Take a food tasting tour. About 3 hours, about $110 per person
Take a mask making workshop. About 1 hour, $72 per person. It’s a centuries old tradition originating in the 13th century. They’re handmade and they used to be worn to hide ones identity so the rich could anonymously get up to no good. Some of them are gorgeous and you’ll see little mask shops while walking around.
venice to florence
The train would take 7 hours without stops and would cost about $150 per person.
Flights are 3 hours 20 min with one stop and cost about $165 per person. Often that doesn’t include luggage or seat selection but it depends on the airline you select.
florence
This is such a beautiful city. You can’t go wrong picking something to do! Here are the options I can personal recommend:
You can’t miss seeing the duomo in Florence…I mean, you can, but it’s amazing. Ticket’s vary in price and can be hard to get during peak season if you need a specific time but it’s still very doable on your own. You can get tickets through them directly or select one of the tours I list below that come with a guide. If you go on your own do not wait to get the tickets. Buy them in advance and don’t try and get the in person on the day of; you won’t get in. The lines are wild to get in! If you guys like steak this Tuscan region is famous for the beef and grilling. I recommend Trattoria dall’Oste. They are right near the duomo too so you could visit the sites and then get a nice lunch during the hottest part of the day to rest.
You can take a tour and let a guide walk you through all of the history and worry about the purchase of the tickets and timed entries. A tour is 3 hours 30 minutes, $135 per person. This way you wouldn’t be in lines or have to find entrances or anything. This price includes the climb up to the top of the dome for the experience and the view. It’s pretty cool. Without the dome climb it would be $45 per person and 1.5 hours - 2 hours and you don’t wait in any lines
Visit Michelangelo's 'David' in the Accademia Gallery. The tickets can be bought directly through their website and you can get them with an audio guide. I don’t recommend a tour for this. There’s just no need. I de recommend going while it’s hot out so you have AC and can cool off for a while. You can take your time and explore.
If you like museums and art, a better gallery to me was the Uffizi. It’s incredible! Thise tickets I can get for you for $42 per person with an audio guide.
Take a taxi up to Piazzale Michelangelo for the view. You can see all of Florence and it’s beautiful. If you time it for sunset it’s perfect
Super fun are the Vespa Tours! You ride your own through the Tuscan hillside and there’s one that includes lunch. I highly recommend this for you guys so you’re seeing the countryside and not just the cities. The tour takes you into the little ancient towns too. Beautiful and full of history and charm. You could ride together or separately. It’s 6 hours and $160 per person. There are several options at varying prices but this is a good example
If you would prefer they have a vintage Fiat self drive tour too! Also very fun. I didn't the Vespa but honestly these were really neat too. It’s 6 hours $160 per person with lunch as well
Things I haven’t done but look amazing:
Take a hot air balloon ride over the countryside! I’ve done this in other countries and have no regrets. It’s very pretty and not as scary as you would think. It’s $330 per person though.
Take a cooking class in the afternoon to get out of the heat and do something fun. There are too many to list honestly. If you’re interested I will provide options
florence to rome
The train would take 3 hours without stops and would cost about $30 per person. I recommend this option
Flights are 1 hour and cost about $165 per person. Often that doesn’t include luggage or seat selection but it depends on the airline you select.
florence to rome
Rome has so many sites it can be overwhelming. It’s also a larger city and one of those places best enjoyed when you have a handful of places you know you can’t miss. Among those to me are:
The Trevi Fountain, day or night. It’s just pretty. The crowds are insane but the sculpture is incredible. There’s a shop nearby that will make you custom sandwiches that will be the best thing you’ve ever eaten too. It’s L' Antico Forno Di Fontana Di Trevi. So, so, so, good.
The Colosseum. It’s worth the crowds and expense to see. The scale alone is inspiring. It’s also in a great location to spend a day walking to see the Roman Forum and everything else along Via del Fori Imperiali. It’s just one Main Street with sites on either side all worth seeing. Very walkable. A tour with a local guide that will take you through the Colosseum (including the lowest floor where the gladiators prepped), to Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum is $160 per person. It’s a nice way to spend the day and following you’re in a great area to just walk around.
Vatican City. The art and architecture are gorgeous. It’s worth a visit. Most tours are about 3 hours long and are $90 per person. You would see the museums, the gallery, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Square and St Peter’s Square. You would also get to skip the lines. The tour ends near some cafes but you could also walk to the Castel Sant'Angelo along the river. There is a cafe if you climb to the top and it has a view of the river and Vatican City from above. It’s very cool. From there take the St. Angelo Bridge across the river to see the sculptures and views. Great way to spend the day
Hadrian's Villa and Villa D'Este are beautiful and there is a six hour tour that departs from Rome. They’re both UNESCO sites and incredible. The tours are 6 hours long and $105 per person.
Have dinner somewhere that served classic Roman artichokes. Yummy
I took a tiramisu making class that was great! They also taught us how to make pasta. That one is 3 hours and $50 per person, but there are a ton of options. If you’re interested I can send you more
From Rome you can actually take a tour to the Amalfi Coast. It’s a long day but it’s so pretty and cooler than inland. The tour I recommend takes you tot the Amalfi Coast and Positano. I loved it and felt like I had a good amount of free time to explore. It’s 15 hours and $85 per person.
Things I haven’t done but sound great:
Take a food tour. There are soooooo many to select from. I can send you options but the one that stood out to me was 3 hours and $110 per person. I like it because it doesn’t lean on wine tasting like most of the others do
Take a Vespa side car tour with gelato. When it’s hot this could be nice. You’d get to see the city and give your feet a rest while you enjoy the air. Nice way to get a general tour of the whole city too.