Meghan & Garret · Italy 2026
Overview Checklist Restaurants
Days
Oct 13 · Departure Day Oct 14 · Arrive Rome Oct 15 · Travel to Florence Oct 16 · Uffizi + Accademia Oct 17 · Bobboli + Oltrarno Oct 18 · The Mall + Siena Oct 19 · Duomo + Flex Day Oct 20 · Return to Rome Oct 21 · Vatican + Prati Oct 22 · Pantheon + Piazzas Oct 23 · Departure Home
Pre-Trip

Italy · October 2026

Planning Checklist

Everything to book, confirm, and prepare before you go

Accommodations

  • Book 1-night hotel in Rome for October 14 Booked
    The Hoxton Rome · "Cosy" room · Check-in after 11 AM · Confirmation: 595958563299
  • Book Airbnb in Rome for October 20–22 Booked
    Lovely Trastevere · Vicolo del Leopardo 32 · Check-in Oct 20 from 2:00 PM · VRBO: HA-YGWM06 · €818.42 paid

Flights & Trains

  • Confirm return flight details for October 23
  • Book Frecciarossa train: Rome → Florence Booked
    Frecciarossa 9514 · Oct 15 · Departs 11:10 AM · Arrives 12:46 PM · 1st class · Seats 17A & 17B · PNR: WFMZTN
  • Book Frecciarossa train: Florence → Rome Book Early
    October 20 · Target 10:00–11:00 AM departure · Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini · ~1.5 hrs

Tickets & Reservations

  • Colosseum + Roman Forum timed entry Booked
    Viator guided tour · Oct 14 at 2:00 PM · Meet at Largo Gaetana Agnesi · Ref: 1401716015
  • Uffizi Gallery timed entry Book Early
    October 16 · Sells out weeks ahead · Activates the combined Uffizi + Pitti + Boboli pass (Uffizi must be first)
  • Galleria dell'Accademia timed entry Book Early
    October 16 · Same day as Uffizi — separate ticket (not on the combined pass), book both together
  • Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel timed entry Book Early
    October 21 · The most visited museum in the world — book weeks in advance, not days
  • Pantheon timed entry Book Early
    October 22 (or Oct 21 if doing it that day) · Small reservation fee · Book in advance
  • Duomo complex / Campanile / Baptistery
    October 19 · Check current booking requirements before the trip

Transportation

  • Book rental car for October 18 (day trip: The Mall + Siena) Book Early
    Automatic transmission recommended — costs more but worth it for Italian traffic · Pick up and return at Santa Maria Novella station area · Do NOT drive into Florence's ZTL zone — fines are automatic and steep

Restaurant Reservations

  • Dinner — Roscioli, Da Sergio, or Osteria dell'Angelo Book in June
    Rome · October 14 · Book via the restaurant website — reservation window is open now (June)
  • Dinner — Buca Mario Booked
    Florence · October 15 · 7:00 PM, party of 2 · Confirmed by email · P.za Ottaviani 16/r · 055 214179
  • Lunch — Trattoria Mario
    Florence · October 16 · No reservations — arrive at noon sharp, cash only, communal tables · Lunch only
  • Dinner — Buca dell'Orafo Booked
    Florence · October 16 · 7:30 PM, party of 2 · Confirmed by email · Via dei Girolami 28r · +39 055 213619
  • Dinner — Buca Mario or Trattoria Sostanza
    Florence · October 17 · Call to reserve 7:30 PM — Sostanza takes calls Mon–Fri · +39 055 212691
  • Dinner — Trattoria da Ruggero (or a night in at the apartment)
    Florence · October 18 · Call to reserve 7:30 PM — da Ruggero takes calls Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · +39 055 220542 · Or pick up wine, cheese & meat for the apartment
  • Anniversary dinner — Locale Firenze, Enoteca Pinchiorri, or Il Palagio Reserve 7/27
    Florence · October 19 · 25th anniversary · Reserve on the restaurant website when the window opens July 27
  • Dinner — Da Enzo al 29, Tonnarello, or Osteria della Gensola
    Rome · October 20 · No reservation — walk in before 6:30 PM
  • Dinner — Grazia & Graziella, Tonnarello, or Osteria della Gensola
    Rome · October 21 · No reservation — walk in before 7:00 PM
  • Farewell dinner — Da Enzo al 29, Osteria della Gensola, or Roscioli Email Oct 1
    Rome · October 22 · Reserve by email — send the request on October 1

Before You Leave Home

  • Download Google Maps offline for Rome and Florence
    Do this before boarding — saves data and works without signal
  • Download Trenitalia or Italo app for train tickets
  • Set up Google Translate with Italian downloaded for offline use
  • Notify bank / credit cards of travel dates
    Prevents cards from being flagged or frozen while abroad
  • Check passport expiration Required
    Must be valid at least 6 months beyond return date (i.e., valid through at least April 23, 2027)
  • Look into an eSIM or international phone plan
    eSIM options: Airalo, T-Mobile international plan, or similar
  • Pack a portable charger
    Long days on your feet — phone battery will not survive without it

Good to Know

  • Italy uses Type F / Type L power outlets — bring an adapter
    US plugs will not fit — a universal travel adapter is the easiest solution
  • Many places are cash only — keep euros on hand
    Cash-only spots include: Trattoria Mario, Da Sergio, Osteria Il Grattacielo, Bar San Calisto
  • ZTL zones in Florence are camera-enforced
    The rental car must stay outside Florence's city center — fines are automatic and arrive weeks later
  • Tipping is not expected in Italy
    Rounding up or leaving a euro or two is plenty and appreciated — 20% is not the norm
  • Riposo (afternoon closures) still happens at some smaller shops
    Roughly 1:00–3:30 PM — especially in Florence's Oltrarno neighborhood and in Siena
  • Dress modestly for church and museum visits
    Shoulders and knees must be covered — the Vatican, Duomo, and all churches enforce this