7 Days in Italy, My Wallet Cried but My Eyes Were Drunk! Plus Super Value Tips

Babes! Just got back from a “bankrupt-style” trip to Italy. Although my bank card balance gave me a heart attack, every one of the 2,000 photos on my phone is screaming “totally worth it”! This article locks down money-saving tips and must-visit spots, so newbies can follow along without any pitfalls~😎 Day 1-2: Rome | Finding Romance Among Millennia-old Ruins Rome wasn’t built in a day, but 2 days are enough to fall in love with it! On the first day, head straight to the Colosseum. Don’t foolishly buy full-price tickets! Book the “Colosseum + Roman Forum” combo ticket (about €16) in advance on the official website to save €10 and skip the lines. Go at 3 PM when the light is soft—perfect for shooting silhouette photos of the ruins📸! At night, visit the Trevi Fountain. Be sure to toss a coin over your shoulder (exchange for €1 coins beforehand). Legend says it ensures your return to Rome! Day 2 rush to the Vatican! The world’s smallest country hides the largest church. Arrive at St. Peter’s Square at 7 AM to enter the church for free and avoid crowds. Climb to the dome’s top (elevator + stairs about €8) for a panoramic view of Rome’s red rooftops—this is what “God’s perspective” means👑! For lunch, avoid eating in tourist areas; turn into nearby alleys where you can enjoy a cheese-covered carbonara pasta for €10, so delicious you’ll want to lick the plate~ Day 3-4: Florence | The Heartbeat of the Renaissance Florence is perfect for slow strolling! On day one, visit the Uffizi Gallery. Book tickets 3 days in advance on the official website (about €20), or prepare to queue for 2 hours! Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” must be seen up close—the paint’s luster is 100 times more stunning than photos✨! In the afternoon, go to Michelangelo Square. Arrive half an hour before sunset; the orange glow turns the city into a painting, and every snap feels cinematic. Day 4 must-see: the Florence Cathedral! The exterior is free to photograph, but to enter the dome, book in advance (about €18). Climb 463 steps to the top; the “Last Judgment” fresco inside is breathtaking. After descending, visit the Baptistery to see the “Gates of Paradise.” Legend says touching it brings good luck🍀! At night, head to Piazza della Repubblica, sit at an outdoor café with an espresso (€2.5), and watch street musicians play guitar—so romantic you won’t want to leave~ Day 5-6: Venice | Avoid the “Rip-off” Water City Experience Venice has many traps, trust me, don’t fall for them! On day one, skip the expensive gondola rides (€80/30 minutes). Take the €15 water bus from the train station to St. Mark’s Square, enjoying colorful houses and small bridges along the way—great value🚤! At St. Mark’s Square, don’t buy the €20 church ticket; just take photos outside. The highlight is the nearby Bridge of Sighs. At 4 PM, the sunlight hits the bridge with a golden glow, making it super romantic for couples holding hands. Day 6 visit Burano, the colorful island! About an hour by water bus, the houses are painted in all colors, with fresh flowers at every doorstep. Any wall you choose for photos looks like a fairy tale🎨! Have seafood pasta for lunch (€15) made with fresh shrimp and clams—so fresh it’ll blow your mind~ In the afternoon, go to Murano, the glass island. Don’t buy expensive glassware; small trinkets for €10-20 are delicate and easy to carry, perfect gifts for friends! Day 7: Milan | Last Day Crazy “Shopping Spree” Milan is all about efficiency! In the morning, rush to Milan Cathedral. Book tickets online in advance (about €12) and climb to the rooftop. The white marble carvings are stunning, and on a clear day, you can see the Alps🏔️! In the afternoon, visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, packed with luxury stores. But if you’re a student, don’t worry—there are many affordable trendy brands in nearby alleys. You can get a stylish sweatshirt for €100~ At night, don’t miss Milan Central Station! Not to catch a train, but because the station itself is gorgeous. The dome paintings and chandeliers are magnificent, perfect for night photography. End your trip with a tiramisu nearby (€8), so creamy it melts in your mouth—a perfect finale~ 💡 Hard-earned Money-saving Tips - Transportation: Buy the “Italy Rail Pass” in advance, about €200 for 7 days. It saves half the cost compared to single tickets and allows free rescheduling~ - Accommodation: Don’t stay in the city center! In Rome, stay near Termini Station; in Florence, near SMN Station. Clean homestays for €100-150 per night are easy to walk or bus to attractions~ - Tickets: 90% of attractions can be booked on official websites, saving time and avoiding premium prices. Students, bring your student ID for 20% discounts at many sites! Although this 7-day trip cost about 12,000 RMB, seeing the morning light at the Colosseum, the sunset in Venice, and the starry sky over Milan Cathedral made it totally worth it! If you want to go, save this article quickly. Wishing you a happy and “not bankrupt” trip to Italy~🥳