A week in Italy gives you just enough time to dip into three of the country's most celebrated cities without feeling rushed. Rome, Florence and Venice each offer a distinct flavor of Italian culture, history and cuisine that will leave you hungry for more.

Start in Rome with two days to explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The Eternal City rewards slow walkers — every cobblestoned lane reveals a hidden fountain, a medieval church or a centuries-old trattoria.

Florence deserves two full days for the Uffizi Gallery alone, but make time for Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, a sunset stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, and gelato from any of the dozen artisanal gelaterie in the city centre.

Venice wraps up your Italian journey with three days among its 118 islands, connected by 400 bridges. Ride a vaporetto down the Grand Canal, lose yourself in the labyrinthine alleyways of Dorsoduro, and watch the sun set over the Giudecca from the steps of Santa Maria della Salute.