18 days in Italy Itinerary

The famous setting for Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, Verona is one of northern Italy's main tourist destinations, largely owing to its incredibly rich artistic heritage.

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Verona tour site.

Cape Town, South Africa to Verona is an approximately 18- hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. The time zone difference moving from South Africa Standard Time to Central European Standard Time is minus 1 hour. While traveling from Cape Town, expect warmer days and somewhat warmer nights in Verona, ranging from highs of 35°C to lows of 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) to allow enough time to take a bus to Venice.

Virtually unchanged for the last six centuries, Venice is actually a group of islands made famous by a series of canals, bridges, monuments, piazzas, and narrow pedestrian lanes.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Thu): browse for treasures at Gioielleria Eredi Jovon and then stop by Magie di Carnevale.

To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Venice trip planner.

You can take a bus from Verona to Venice in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a shuttle. August in Venice sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 22°C at night. On the 16th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can take a train to Florence.

Considered a cultural, artistic, and architectural jewel of Italy, Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Do your shopping at Mercato Centrale and L'Arte dei Ciompi. Step out of Florence to go to Santa Brigida and see Castello del Trebbio, which is approximately 36 minutes away. There's lots more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, stop by Principessa Cristalli d'Autore, don't miss a visit to Piazzale Michelangelo, and view the masterpieces at Microfficina Gioielli.

To find ratings, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Florence trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by train from Venice to Florence takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August, daytime highs in Florence are 35°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. On the 23rd (Thu), you'll travel to Genoa.

Once the most important harbor in the Mediterranean Sea, Genoa has a long history as a rich and powerful trade center in northern Italy.

Visiting Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza and Ente Parco di Portofino will get you outdoors. Get out of town with these interesting Genoa side-trips: Cinque Terre Trails (in Cinque Terre) and Vernazza (Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church & Vernazza). The adventure continues: appreciate the extensive heritage of Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi a Nervi, enjoy breathtaking views from Spianata Castelletto, and admire the striking features of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi.

For traveler tips, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Genoa trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Florence to Genoa takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Florence in August, expect a bit warmer with lows of 25°C in Genoa. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Turin.

A city of technology and industry, Turin is in northwestern Italy, a one-hour drive from the French border and slightly more than that from the Mediterranean Sea.

Step out of Turin with an excursion to Zoom Torino in Cumiana--about 46 minutes away. The adventure continues: explore the world behind art at Museo Egizio, steep yourself in history at Palazzo Reale, see the interesting displays at Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Duomo di Torino e Cappella della Sacra Sindone.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Turin vacation planner.

Getting from Genoa to Turin by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In August, Turin is little chillier than Genoa - with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) to allow time to take a train to Milan.

In many ways the most modern of Italian cities, Milan is a busy, elegant metropolis with an impressive list of grand palaces, fine churches, and important museums.

For ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Milan travel planner.

You can take a train from Turin to Milan in an hour. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Turin in August, expect nights in Milan to be about the same, around 22°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 34°C. On the 30th (Thu), you'll travel back home.