Is 7 days enough for Italy?

Possible but rushed. You'll only hit Rome and Florence properly. 10 days minimum gives you Rome, Florence, and Venice with day trips.

No for cities. Trains are faster and parking is expensive (€25-40/day). Only rent for Tuscany countryside or Amalfi Coast.

How much cash should I bring?

€200-300 for emergencies. Most places take cards, but small cafes and markets prefer cash. ATMs everywhere with €2-5 fees.

North to South or vice versa to minimize backtracking. Popular route: fly into Rome, train to Florence, then Venice, fly home from Venice or Milan.

Plan 10-14 days minimum to see the highlights. Book flights 2-3 months ahead for better prices. Focus on 3-4 cities max to avoid travel fatigue.

Pick your regions first. Choose 2-3 regions max. Popular combinations: Rome + Florence + Venice, or Rome + Amalfi Coast, or Florence + Tuscany + Cinque Terre. Don't try to see everything.
Book flights early. Fly into Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP) for best connections. Book 2-3 months ahead. Round-trip from US: $400-800 depending on season.
Plan your transportation. Buy train tickets on Trenitalia.com or ItaliaRail. High-speed trains between major cities cost €25-89. Regional trains are cheaper but slower.
Book accommodations strategically. Stay near train stations in big cities. Book 1-2 months ahead. Hotels: €80-150/night. Airbnb: €50-120/night. Hostels: €25-45/night.
Reserve skip-the-line tickets. Book Colosseum (€18), Uffizi (€25), and Vatican Museums (€17) tickets online 1-2 months ahead. Lines can be 2+ hours without reservations.
Plan your daily budget. Budget €80-120 per day total. Meals: €35-50, attractions: €15-25, transport: €10-20, miscellaneous: €20-25.
Download essential apps. Get Citymapper for public transport, Google Translate with camera feature, and TripAdvisor for restaurant reviews.

Is 7 days enough for Italy?: Possible but rushed. You'll only hit Rome and Florence properly. 10 days minimum gives you Rome, Florence, and Venice with day trips.
Should I rent a car?: No for cities. Trains are faster and parking is expensive (€25-40/day). Only rent for Tuscany countryside or Amalfi Coast.
How much cash should I bring?: €200-300 for emergencies. Most places take cards, but small cafes and markets prefer cash. ATMs everywhere with €2-5 fees.
What's the best order to visit cities?: North to South or vice versa to minimize backtracking. Popular route: fly into Rome, train to Florence, then Venice, fly home from Venice or Milan.