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April 7, 2026
Cortney LaCorte
  1. Lifestyle + Travel

A Perfect 10-Night Italy Itinerary: Rome, Florence & The Tuscan Countryside

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Lifestyle + Travel

Planning a dream trip to Italy? Our 10-night journey through Rome, Florence, and Tuscany was nothing short of magical. From historic landmarks to breathtaking countryside views, incredible food, and, of course, amazing wine—this itinerary is packed with recommendations to make your trip unforgettable.

Rome: 2 Nights in the Eternal City

We started our adventure in Rome, a city steeped in history and charm. Even if you’re not a history buff, a guided tour of the Vatican and Colosseum is an absolute must. We booked through HEADOUT, and it was worth every penny.


Travel Tip: Skip the hassle and book a fast-track tour to avoid long lines!
After soaking in the history, we indulged in Rome’s vibrant food scene before catching a fast train to Florence—the best and easiest way to travel between these two iconic cities.

Florence: 4 Nights of Art, Culture & Cuisine

Florence is a walkable city filled with Renaissance art, stunning architecture, and fantastic food. We spent our days strolling the charming streets, indulging in delicious cuisine, and sipping on wine.


Tourist Trap Alert! Be mindful of overpriced, low-quality restaurants in heavily trafficked areas. Researching ahead of time or asking locals for recommendations can help you find authentic spots.

From Florence, we arranged a private driver to take us into the Tuscan countryside. Highly recommend Alessandro Demi for transportation! (email: [email protected])
On the way, Alessandro made a stop at Il Cellese Winery, where we enjoyed spectacular views and even better wine.

Tuscany Countryside: 3 Nights of Relaxation & Wine

We spent three dreamy nights in the Tuscan countryside, fully immersing ourselves in the region’s beauty and flavors. Some highlights:

Winery Visits:
Poggio Amorelli – A fantastic winery with incredible wines.
Casal Piano– A perfect stop on our way back to Rome for one last wine tasting.

Day Trips:
Siena & San Gimignano – While beautiful, these towns were actually closer to Florence. In hindsight, we would have visited them while staying there.


Cooking Class: We took a pizza-making class at our resort—an absolute must for food lovers!

Where We Stayed

Tuscany: @BorgoSantoPietro A breathtaking luxury resort in a restored medieval village. Our villa was a 12th-century bakery, and everything from the hospitality to the farm-to-table dining was five-star. Activities include cooking classes, wine tastings, hiking, and more. Truly a dream destination!
Florence: @fsflorence (Four Seasons Florence)This restored Renaissance palace and convent is beyond stunning. The lush garden was the perfect place to sip an Aperol Spritz, and their vintage Negroni is unforgettable. Located just outside the city center, it’s a peaceful retreat while still being close to everything.
Rome: @hotelvilon A small, luxury boutique hotel in a historic 16th-century mansion. The location was perfect, tucked away in a quiet area but still close to all the must-see spots. The breakfast? Simply divine.

Enjoy!

Cortney

Cortney LaCorte

Cortney LaCorte is the creator of CheeseGal, a food and entertaining blog born in her Nashville kitchen that celebrates cheese, charcuterie and joyful gatherings

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I’m Cortney, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Expect delicious, unfussy recipes, very dirty martinis, couch snacks taken seriously, and plenty of little ways to make everyday moments feel a little more special.

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Martinis are marked safe Martinis are marked safe
If your late-night snack isn’t a little bit unhing If your late-night snack isn’t a little bit unhinged... I don’t want it. Crispy @tatesbakeshop chocolate chip cookies dunked in warm peanut butter with a glass of wine on the side. Trust me on this one. #TatesPartner
One-Pot Chicken & Orzo with Artichoke Hearts & Oli One-Pot Chicken & Orzo with Artichoke Hearts & Olives @knorr #KnorrPartner

If dinner has to happen but I refuse to dirty every pan in my kitchen... this one-pot chicken & orzo is the answer. It’s packed with artichokes, olives, feta, fresh herbs, and so much flavor (thanks to Knorr Granulated Chicken Bouillon). 

Save this one for the next “what’s for dinner?” emergency. ✨

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon Knorr Granulated Chicken Bouillon 
3 tablespoons olive oil
1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Coarsely ground black pepper
1 (14-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
½ cup dry white wine
4 cups chicken broth
8 ounces orzo (1¼ cups)
½ cup pitted green olives, coarsely chopped
½ cup finely chopped dill or parsley, plus more for serving
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice, plus more to taste
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Dirty like the Cumberland ™️ 🍸 Dirty like the Cumberland ™️ 🍸
Pitcher of Rosé Margaritas ✨ How do you prefer y Pitcher of Rosé Margaritas ✨ 

How do you prefer your marg?? On the rocks or frozen?!

INGREDIENTS:
1 bottle of Rosé
10 ounces blanco tequila
8 ounces lime juice 
6-8 ounces agave syrup (taste as you go to get it where you like it!)

DIRECTIONS:
Add rosé and tequila into a pitcher. Stir together lime juice and agave syrup, then add into the pitcher. Throw in some ice, then stir again. Rim your glasses with agave and sugar (or salt if you prefer.) Pour into prepared glasses and enjoy!
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Cheese Gal shares unfussy recipes, hosting inspiration, and everyday food rituals designed to be enjoyed and shared.

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