No. Italian city centers ban most cars, parking is impossible, and trains between major cities are faster than driving. Save the car for Tuscany countryside on a future trip.

How much cash do I need?

Bring $200-300 cash for your trip. Many small restaurants and gelato shops are cash-only. ATMs are everywhere, but some charge $3-5 per withdrawal.

Is 2 weeks too long for first-timers?

No, 2 weeks is perfect. Less than 10 days feels rushed. More than 2 weeks and you'll want to add smaller cities like Siena or day trips, which changes the planning completely.

How to Plan Your First Italy Trip (10-14 Days)

Start with Rome (3 days), Florence (2-3 days), and Venice (2 days) for your first Italy trip. Book trains between cities, stay in historic centers, and mix major sights with neighborhood wandering. Budget $150-200 per day including mid-range hotels.

Pick your 3 main cities. Rome (3 days), Florence (2-3 days), Venice (2 days) is the classic first-timer triangle. Skip the temptation to add more cities — you'll spend all your time on trains.
Book flights into Rome, out of Venice. Open-jaw tickets save you backtracking. Fly into Rome's Fiumicino (FCO), fly home from Venice's Marco Polo (VCE). This follows the logical south-to-north route.
Buy train tickets 2-3 days ahead. Use Trenitalia.com for high-speed trains. Rome to Florence is 1.5 hours ($45-60), Florence to Venice is 2 hours ($35-50). Book seats, not just tickets.
Stay in historic centers. Rome: near Pantheon or Campo de' Fiori. Florence: between Duomo and Arno River. Venice: San Marco or Dorsoduro districts. You'll walk everywhere, so location matters more than luxury.
Book 3 things in advance. Vatican Museums (Rome), Uffizi Gallery (Florence), and Doge's Palace (Venice). Everything else you can book day-of or walk into.
Plan for museum fatigue. Alternate heavy sightseeing days with wandering days. Day 1 in each city: walk and eat. Day 2: hit the major museums. Day 3: neighborhoods and markets.

Should I rent a car?: No. Italian city centers ban most cars, parking is impossible, and trains between major cities are faster than driving. Save the car for Tuscany countryside on a future trip.
How much cash do I need?: Bring $200-300 cash for your trip. Many small restaurants and gelato shops are cash-only. ATMs are everywhere, but some charge $3-5 per withdrawal.
Is 2 weeks too long for first-timers?: No, 2 weeks is perfect. Less than 10 days feels rushed. More than 2 weeks and you'll want to add smaller cities like Siena or day trips, which changes the planning completely.