Italy: Rome, Dolomites & Amalfi

• Depart Calgary on your Air Canada itinerary.
• Keep this as a pure travel day.
• Aim for carry-on friendly packing for easy train transfers in Italy.

• Sep 22: arrive at Rome Fiumicino.
• Transfer into Rome by Leonardo Express to Roma Termini or by taxi/private transfer.
• Spend this first night in Rome and keep the day light after the flight.
• Plan your Rome stay around Centro Storico or Monti for the easiest sightseeing flow.
• Good arrival flow: check in, easy walk in the historic center, early dinner, and rest.

6:30 AM

7:25 AM

1:15 PM

2:00 PM

• Timed Rome-to-Dolomites transfer outline: accommodation → Roma Termini → Bolzano Bozen railway station → rental-car pickup → Bolzano → Val Gardena / Corvara → La Villa.
• Reconfirm the exact 2026 train platform, arrival time, and rental-pickup location before departure. Avoid relying on the mountain drive after dark; if the train or pickup runs late, prioritize a safe arrival and adjust the stop plan.

6:15 AM

7:30 AM

8:00 AM

8:30 AM

10:15 AM

12:15 PM

1:45 PM

3:00 PM

3:45 PM

5:45 PM

7:15 PM

• Full Dolomites day based in La Villa, following La Villa → Passo Gardena → Ortisei → Seceda → Pieralongia → Rifugio Firenze/Regensburgerhütte → Col Raiser → Santa Cristina → La Villa.
• The Seceda lift and main Seceda start is set for 8:30 AM; this is no longer a sunrise plan. Verify September 2026 Passo Gardena access rules and the timed Seceda lift booking, along with weather, road conditions, parking rules, lift operations, and access restrictions, on the evening of Sep 23; adjust the route if lifts or roads are unsuitable.
• The added waypoints are for route and wayfinding purposes, not extra strenuous activities. Carry food and water and keep the afternoon route flexible.

• Sep 25: Eastern Dolomites Cadini-focused day from La Villa.
• Leave early for the Rifugio Auronzo area, but skip Tre Cime and save your energy for a lighter day.
• Use the daytime hours for a relaxed arrival, scenic stops, lunch, and a long recovery break around the trailhead area.
• In the late afternoon, do the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint hike and aim to reach the viewpoint about 1 hour before sunset.
• Keep dinner simple on the drive back after golden hour.

9:00 AM

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

6:00 PM

7:45 PM

9:00 PM

• Sep 26: balanced Alta Badia recovery day based in La Villa; avoid strenuous hiking.
• The sequence is designed to keep the morning relaxed, allow a realistic transfer to Pozza di Fassa, and return to La Villa for an easy evening.

• Sep 27: drive from La Villa back to Bolzano and return the rental car there.
• Aim to leave La Villa around 10:30-11:00 so you have enough buffer for the drive, fuel, and rental return.
• Take Italo train 8963 from Bolzano at 14:42.
• Arrive in Lucca at 19:29 and head straight to your Airbnb on Via Cavalletti.
• Keep the evening easy after arrival.
• Use Lucca as your base for Tuscany and Ligurian-edge day trips.

12:30 PM

Keep café and lunch timing flexible in the historic center. At any meal, confirm gluten-free and dairy-free preparation and cross-contact precautions for Andrea.

5:00 PM

Return to the Airbnb for a recovery break and an early, relaxed evening; do not add a Florence outing on Sep 28.

• Sep 28: full day based entirely in Lucca after the Dolomites transfer.
• Keep the day low-key: gentle walls walk, historic-center wandering, flexible café/lunch time, and an early evening.

6:30 AM

12:30 PM

5:30 PM

• Sep 29: full Cinque Terre day trip from the Lucca Airbnb base, focused on Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.
• Use the Cinque Terre train as the reliable backbone and the ferry only if operating and sea conditions are suitable. Do not try to hike between villages unless official trail status, weather, and energy levels make it practical; keep the day paced and flexible.
• Reconfirm all Lucca–La Spezia and local rail schedules, boat service, trail access, weather, and any reservation or visitor requirements closer to Sep 29. Return to Lucca in the evening rather than changing accommodation.

• Sep 30: Portovenere day trip from your Lucca base.
• Use the rental car for the simplest routing and keep the day flexible for harbor views, a boat option, and a relaxed seafood lunch.
• Start early since this is one of your longer Lucca-base outings.
• Return to Lucca for the night rather than changing hotels.

• Oct 1: Carrara day trip from your Lucca base, replacing the former Cinque Terre date.
• Use the rental car for full flexibility and marble-focused stops.
• Keep the day centered on Carrara rather than trying to combine too much.
• Return to Lucca for the night at your Airbnb on Via Cavalletti.

• Oct 2: check out of your Lucca Airbnb and drive to Florence.
• Return the Tuscany rental car in Florence after having it for the full Lucca stay.
• Continue by train from Florence to Roma Termini.
• Check in in Rome and use the rest of the day as an arrival/reset day.
• Centro Storico or Monti are the best-fit areas for your final Rome stay.
• Good night for an easy dinner close to your hotel.

• Self-guided Vatican City day; no tour guide needed.
• Your 8:00 AM Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel timed-entry pass is confirmed/booked. Bring the booking confirmation and ID, and arrive at the official entrance around 7:30 AM for the security and entry buffer; security lines still apply.
• Follow a sensible DIY museum route at your own pace: priority galleries, Raphael Rooms if open, and the Sistine Chapel, allowing roughly 2.5-3 hours rather than trying to see everything.
• Leave a practical transition buffer after the museums and reach Saint Peter’s Basilica in time for the fixed 11:30 AM booked entry. The dome access is included and is no longer optional; bring the Basilica booking confirmation and ID. Allow time for the Basilica and dome visit, including security and stairs.
• Continue to Saint Peter's Square after the Basilica and dome visit. Check the current visitor route and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
• Walk from Saint Peter's Square to Mama Eat Lab for lunch; use La Soffitta Renovatio only if Mama Eat is full or unavailable. For Andrea, confirm both gluten-free and dairy-free preparation and cross-contact with staff.
• Continue on foot into the Borgo Pio area for a gentler afternoon of sitting, browsing, and recovery.
• Return to your Rome base flexibly in the late afternoon or evening by walking, taxi, or public transport, followed by an easy dinner that accommodates gluten-free and dairy-free needs.

• Oct 4: Rome historic center + classic landmarks day.
• Early morning: see the Trevi Fountain before crowds, then walk to the Spanish Steps.
• Late morning / afternoon: continue through the center for the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and a long lunch.
• This is the strongest day to base yourselves in Centro Storico.
• Evening: keep your Roman night relaxed with dinner near the center.

• Oct 5: Ancient Rome highlights day.
• Morning: start at the Colosseum and continue through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
• If you stay in Monti, this is your easiest walkable Rome day.
• Afternoon: walk through the historic center toward the Pantheon, then keep time for Piazza Navona or Campo de' Fiori.
• Evening: dinner in Monti or Trastevere.

• Oct 6: departure day from Rome.
• Travel from your Rome base to Fiumicino Airport by taxi or Leonardo Express from Roma Termini.
• Monti can be especially convenient for Leonardo Express access via Termini; Centro Storico is better for classic evening walks.
• Leave extra time for the airport transfer and your Air Canada flights home.
• Keep this day unplanned beyond breakfast and heading to the airport.