I can say with my hand on my heart that one of the most beautiful vacations I have ever had was this one. That’s why I couldn’t keep the entire route and all the treasures I discovered just for myself. I’ve gathered all the useful information in this article to help you plan the perfect trip to Italy. This itinerary is perfect, and I guarantee that once you follow it, you will place Italy in your top list of the most beautiful countries you have visited. The fact that I love Italy is no surprise, but for me, the country itself is always full of surprises. Every place hides something, and every region is different.
Italy is unique, but most importantly, it’s complex. Here you will find grand metropolises and villages perched on the mountains, impressive boulevards and narrow cobbled streets, futuristic buildings and houses carved in rocks, luxury stores, and small local boutiques, mountainous landscapes, and sunsets by the sea.
And because I have traveled across Italy in every direction, I present the most beautiful road trip through Bella Italia. Trust me, you’ll thank me when you get back home 🙂
4,998 km by car in 10 days, embracing every bit of curiosity in the world: the unexpectedly beautiful Graz, mysterious Venice, and romantic Verona. Full of love and ecstasy, we lost ourselves in the marvelous Portofino and the small suspended villages with colorful houses in Cinque Terre. We were speechless along the Amalfi Coast, and Capri… it looked like something out of a book! The landscapes of Tuscany invited us to take every exit off the highway, but one day I’m sure I’ll lose myself in those hills, seemingly painted with the meticulousness of an artist. Pisa with its leaning tower, the somber town of Pompeii, the smoking Vesuvius volcano, the gladiator arena in Capua, and the charming Florence created one of the most beautiful adventures.


Trip Duration – 10 days (9 nights)
Route Length – 5,000 km
Route: Sibiu – Graz – Venice – Verona – Rapallo – Portofino – La Spezia – Cinque Terre – Amalfi Coast – Capri – Pompeii – Capua – Florence – Graz – Sibiu
Vacation Budget for 2 people: Approximately 2000 EUR
If you travel with 4 people, the budget can be reduced to 1700-1800 EUR
Accommodation: 800 EUR
Fuel: 400 EUR
Road Tolls: 100 EUR
Amalfi Coast Speedboat: 50 EUR (2 people)/round trip
Amalfi Bus: 16 EUR (2 people)/round trip
Salerno – Capri Boat: 80 EUR (2 people)/round trip
Capri Funicular: 7 EUR (2 people)/round trip
Cinque Terre Train: 24 EUR (2 people)
Other Daily Expenses: 50 EUR/day (2 people)
For meals at medium restaurants/fast food/street food
Itinerary: Distances. Stops.
Sibiu – Graz (1000 km)
Accommodation: 1 night in Graz – Hotel Strasser. Price: 60 EUR/night
We left from Sibiu around 7 AM, and the 1000 km distance to Graz, where we spent our first night, took us about 10 hours. Arriving there in the evening, we managed to explore the city center on foot, and later we finished the day in the best possible way at a terrace located on the hilltop at Schlossberg Fort. On the last day, when we were heading back home, we had more time, so we were able to enjoy the city even more. Graz can easily be explored on foot, as the city is not very big and most of the major attractions are located in the central area, so one day is sufficient to visit this destination. For more about Graz, I wrote in my article: Amazing Graz, Austria.

2. Graz – Venice – Verona (450 km)
Accommodation: 1 night in Verona – Ibis Hotel Verona. Price: 70 EUR/night
Graz was a transitional city for us, the place where we chose to spend the first night before starting our adventure through Italy. We picked this location because it was on our way to Venice, and also because it was a place we hadn’t seen before.
In the morning, after breakfast, we left Graz heading towards Venice. The 450 km distance took us about 4-5 hours. We arrived at the multi-story parking in Venice around 2:00 PM, and from there, we took the funicular to the train station area. This was our third time in Venice, so we wandered through the winding streets with no particular destination in mind, yet still with the excitement of a first discovery. We had seen most of the city’s main attractions during previous visits, so we decided to stroll towards Piazza San Marco.
From there, we returned to the train station by Vaporetto and departed for Verona, where we spent the night. The 70 km drive took us less than an hour. We arrived in Romeo and Juliet’s city just as it was getting dark and started our evening at a terrace in Piazza Bra, near the Arena di Verona. Of course, we didn’t leave Verona before seeing Juliet’s famous balcony.
We decided to stay in Verona and not in Venice mainly because the accommodation prices were better, and also because we hadn’t been to Verona before. The city was conveniently located on our way to Portofino, and I think it was a smart choice.

3. Verona – Rapallo – Portofino (320 km)
Accommodation: 1 night in Rapallo – Casa di Gemma. Price: 110 EUR/night (2-bedroom apartment)
We left Verona at a relaxed pace around 9:00 AM and headed toward Rapallo. After about 3 hours, we arrived in the city, checked in, and then headed to the central area where we spent the rest of the day until late in the evening.
The next day, we packed our bags back into the car and left for Portofino. The distance between Rapallo and Portofino is only 11 km, and along the way, you’ll pass through the fascinating town of Santa Margherita di Ligure. The whole coastal road to our destination was absolutely enchanting. Upon arriving in Portofino, we parked in a private lot and continued on foot to explore the charming town at the foot of the Ligurian Apennines.
It only takes half a day to explore Portofino, with its colorful houses lined up on the water’s edge in a semi-circular shape.

4. Portofino – La Spezia (80 km) – Cinque Terre
Accommodation: 2 nights in La Spezia (village Ricco del Golfo di Spezia) – Casa di Giada. Price: 60 EUR/night (2 bedrooms, kitchen, garden)
After filling our hearts with energy from the breathtaking beauty, we set off toward Cinque Terre. I vividly remember how delighted we were when we arrived in the village of Ricco del Golfo di Spezia, where we spent 2 nights surrounded by nature. The village is located just 10 km from La Spezia, the town from where trains to Cinque Terre depart. We were thrilled with our choice, as the sense of freedom we experienced there was truly extraordinary.
We spent the first evening in the village, enjoying a meal of pizza and pasta made in an authentic style. The next day was dedicated to visiting the five fairytale lands—those five villages connected by the “blue path,” the 12 km coastal trail with breathtaking views that leave you speechless. We drove from the village, parked near the station, and eager for adventure, we set out to explore all five villages.

5. La Spezia – Pisa – Salerno (Amalfi Coast) with Positano, Amalfi, and Capri Island (600 km)
Accommodation: 4 nights in Salerno – Salerno Centro Apartment. Price: 80 EUR/night.
We left Cinque Terre for the Amalfi Coast and honestly didn’t expect anything to impress me more than what I had already discovered in the five fairytale villages. But, surprise! Amalfi and Capri turned out to be by far the most beautiful places I visited on this trip. Our journey to Amalfi took us past Pisa, so we couldn’t miss the chance to get a photo with the famous Leaning Tower.
I’ve never walked on a road as spectacular as the one that connects the seven towns of the Amalfi Coast (Salerno, Positano, Sorrento, Ravello, Minori, Maiori, and Amalfi). My favorite spot on the Amalfi Coast, Positano, is alive with energy, vibrant, and stunning. There are no words beautiful enough to describe the emotions I felt when faced with such a perfect scene.
For tips on how to visit the Amalfi Coast, what to not miss, prices, and other useful advice, read my article: The Amalfi Coast. Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno.
For me, the island of “del solo far niente” (of doing nothing), Capri, somehow reaches the peak of beauty on Earth. Capri Island is stunning from every angle, and it’s the place I would choose if I ever decided to move from Romania.





7. Florence – Graz (800 km)
1 night in Graz – Hotel Strasser. Price: 60 EUR/night.
We left Florence heading towards Graz, the place where we spent the last night of our vacation. After 8 hours of driving, we arrived at our destination and still had an entire afternoon to visit the main attractions of the city. The time was enough to explore the city on foot, and we even managed to fit in a short shopping session in the morning before departure.
8. Graz – Sibiu (1000 km)
Back home, full of emotions, feelings of joy, and eternal gratitude for what we experienced during these days. 🙂
Love,
A.C.