Quick & Dirty Itinerary for Italy Over Thanksgiving (With Flight Deals)

Quick & Dirty Itinerary for Italy Over Thanksgiving (With Flight Deals)

Hello friends!!

This is my “Thanksgiving is a dumb holiday and we should all be traveling instead” series, where I put together some vacation options for over Thanksgiving. I think we should all take advantage of the days off we have!

Italy is one of my favorite places in the world, and I always recommend my clients to go in the “off-season” for the shorter lines and minimal crowds. So going in November is perfect!

Let’s dive in!

👀 You can see a more detailed itinerary here: 10-Day Italy Itinerary

*Some links in this post are affiliate links. It doesn’t change the price, but I may earn a small commission if you purchase something I’ve recommended. I’m really grateful for your trust in my advice, and if I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, I won’t recommend it to you.

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WHAT TO DO IN ITALY

VENICE

🛶 Gondola Ride

You need at least €80 for the gondola ride. The city imposed a set cost for all drivers to charge, so it won’t be above €80 unless you choose a longer ride. Outside of Venice, everywhere you go should take credit cards, but it’s nice to have some cash just in case. I always like to have a bit of cash on me, so I would take out 150 Euros.

💒 Saint Mark's Basilica

Venice's Saint Mark's Basilica is beautiful. Using the guided tour by Rick Steves in the app, the tour will start in Saint Mark's Square and the intricacies of the square itself. 

Or if you’re interested in a live tour, this is a great option: this tour will guide you through the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica. 

👀 Murano Island

Renowned for its glass-making traditions, you can witness skilled artisans at work and admire exquisite glass creations.

Here’s a great tour option: Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat.

FLORENCE

🖼 Uffizi Gallery & Accademia Gallery

Visit these museums to see exceptional collections of Renaissance masterpieces by artists like Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.

💒 The Florence Duomo

Head to the Duomo along the Via dei Calzaiuoli for amazing shopping along the way.

🌞 Take a Day Trip

This is an amazing day trip from Florence a day trip to Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano.

ROME

👀 Take a Walk Through Rome

Take Rick Steves' Rome City Walk, which will guide you through the iconic sights of Rome, including the majestic Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. End your day with a sunset view from the Spanish Steps.

🏛 Colosseum & Roman Forum

Enjoy the grandeur of ancient Rome!

🍽 Take a Cooking Class

Here are some cooking classes in Rome: 

• 🍝 Pasta Class in Rome - Fettuccine Cooking Classes in Piazza Navona

• 🍰 Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class in Rome, Piazza Navona

• 🍷 Rome Cooking: Pasta & Tiramisu making class with dinner & wine

🖼 Villa Borghese Museum and Gardens

The picturesque Villa Borghese Museum and Gardens houses an exceptional collection of art masterpieces, including works by Caravaggio and Bernini. After, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the scenic gardens.

💒 Vatican City

The Vatican Museums: I’d highly recommend taking an early morning tour of the museum.

Here’s the official site for tickets (make sure to choose the early access tour ticket). 

St. Peter's Basilica, where Rick Steves' tour will provide you with insights into the history, art, and architecture of this iconic religious site.

🌞 Take a Day Trip to Pompeii

Here is a great tour that will take you to Pompeii!

TRANSPORTATION

No need to rent a car in Italy, you can take the train between cities. Within the cities, you can walk almost everywhere or grab an Uber.

WHERE TO STAY IN ITALY

WHERE TO STAY IN VENICE

Ca' Pisani Deco Design Hotel // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $

Splendid Venice // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $$

Hotel Ai Reali // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $$$

WHERE TO STAY IN FLORENCE

Gallery Hotel Art // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $

Grand Hotel Minerva // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $$

Hotel Savoy, A Rocco Forte Hotel // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $$$

WHERE TO STAY IN ROME

Hotel Chapter Roma // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $

G-Rough // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $$ (I love the location of this hotel!)

Hotel Vilòn // ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // $$$

If you are interested in getting VIP perks at some of these hotels at no extra cost to you, reach out to me, and we’ll get planning!

CHEAP FLIGHT DEALS TO ITALY FOR THANKSGIVING 2023

I tried to find:

• The best deals

• Layovers that aren’t god-awful

• Around a 10-day trip

  If the prices go up, check out Google Flights or reach out to me, and I can try to find you a new flight.

• Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $874

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers on the way there, 1 on the way home

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $829

  LAYOVER: 1 layover there, nonstop on the way back

  AIRLINE: Air France/Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $749

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers there, 1 on the way home

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Nashville International Airport (BNA)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $779

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $544

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $543

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers there, 1 on the way back

  AIRLINE: Delta/Air France

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Denver International Airport (DEN)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $749

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $780

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta/Air France

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $640

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta/Air France

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $724

  LAYOVER: 1 layover on the way there, nonstop on the way back

  AIRLINE: SWISS/United

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Dulles International Airport (IAD)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $600

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Air France

  LINK: Google Flights link

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $923

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Air France

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $704

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers there, 1 on the way back

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $603

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: British Airways/Finnair

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $867

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: SWISS/United

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $779

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $699

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers on the way there, one on the way home

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Orlando International Airport (MCO)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $718

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers there, one on the way back

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Miami International Airport (MIA)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $559

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $773

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers there, one on the way back

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $657

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta/KLM

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

  FLIGHTS: PHX to Rome // Venice to PHX

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $658

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

  FLIGHTS: ORD to Rome // Venice to ORD

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $662

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Air France/Delta/KLM

  LINK: Google Flights link

• San Diego International Airport (SAN)

  FLIGHTS: SAN to Venice // Rome to SAN

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $720

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American/British Airways

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

  FLIGHTS: SEA to Venice // Rome to SEA

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $796

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Lufthansa

  LINK: Google Flights link

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

  FLIGHTS: SFO to Venice // Rome to SFO

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $859

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta/Airfrance

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

  FLIGHTS: SLC to Venice // Rome to SLC

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $890

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta/Air France

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Tampa International Airport (TPA)

  FLIGHTS: TPA to Rome // Venice to TPA

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $752

  LAYOVER: 1 layover there, 2 layover one the way home

  AIRLINE: British Airways/American

  LINK: Google Flights link

I hope you found this quick and dirty itinerary helpful! I’d love to help you with your trip (just with hotels or a full-on itinerary). Reach out if you want to start planning your adventure!

xoxo,

Syd