The Route: Venice, Lake Como, Monza, Florence, and Rome
There is no bad way to spend two weeks in Italy, but building a road trip around the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza might be the best way. We flew into Venice, worked our way west to Lake Como and Milan, caught the race at Monza, then headed south through Florence before ending in Rome. Twelve days, five cities, one Grand Prix, and more pasta than any reasonable person should consume.
Venice: Arriving and Getting Oriented
We flew into Venice Marco Polo and spent two nights at the AC Hotel Venezia, which turned out to be a solid base. Venice in late August is warm and crowded, but the crowds thin out dramatically in the early morning and after sunset. We spent a full day wandering without much of a plan — San Marco, the Rialto Bridge, getting lost in the narrow alleyways of Dorsoduro. That is the best way to do Venice: put the phone away and just walk.
The water taxis are expensive but worth it at least once, especially from the airport. Budget around 15 euros per person for vaporetto day passes if you plan to island-hop to Murano or Burano. We skipped the gondola ride (80-100 euros for 30 minutes felt steep) and instead grabbed an Aperol spritz on a canal-side bar and watched the gondolas go by.
Lake Como: A Quick Detour Through the Veneto
From Venice we drove west toward Lake Como, stopping in Padua and Verona along the way. Verona is worth at least a couple of hours — the old town is compact and walkable, and the Roman arena is surprisingly impressive. We grabbed lunch near Piazza delle Erbe and were back on the road within two hours.
Lake Como itself is as stunning as everyone says. We visited Villa del Balbianello, which you might recognize from Casino Royale and Star Wars. Book tickets in advance — it sells out, especially on weekends. The town of Bellagio is the classic Como stop, and the ferry system between the lakeside towns is cheap and scenic. A full day here felt about right before heading to Milan.
Milan: Fashion, Rooftops, and Race Prep
Milan gets a mixed reputation as a tourist city, but we enjoyed it more than expected. The Duomo is genuinely incredible — pay the extra few euros to go up to the rooftop terraces. The view across the city with the Alps in the background on a clear day is hard to beat.
We stayed at the Moxy Milan Linate Airport (Marriott points came in handy) and spent a day exploring the city. The vintage shopping around the Navigli district is excellent if that is your thing. For rooftop drinks, La Rinascente near the Duomo has a bar with direct views of the cathedral spires. Milan also serves as the staging ground for Monza — the Autodromo Nazionale is only about 20 minutes northeast by train.
The Monza Grand Prix: Racing Through the Park
Monza is one of the oldest and most iconic circuits on the F1 calendar, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else. The track sits inside a royal park, and the tifosi (Ferrari fans) bring an energy that makes even a practice session feel like a cup final. We went for qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.
Getting there is straightforward: take the train from Milano Centrale to Monza station, then either walk (about 25 minutes through the park) or grab a shuttle. Go early. The general admission areas fill up fast, and the walk through the park is actually pleasant. Bring your own food and water — prices inside are steep, and the lines are long.
The podium ceremony at Monza is legendary. If Ferrari finishes on the podium, the crowd rushes the track. Even without a Ferrari win, the post-race energy is electric. The whole experience confirmed that Monza belongs on any F1 fan’s bucket list.
Monza Tips
- Book accommodation in Milan, not Monza — more options and better value
- Train from Milano Centrale to Monza runs frequently and takes about 15 minutes
- General admission tickets start around 100 euros for race day
- Grandstand seats at the Parabolica or first chicane offer the best views
- Bring ear protection — the cars are loud, even with the hybrid engines
- Sunday race day crowds are massive, so arrive before gates open
Florence: Art, Architecture, and Bistecca
After the race weekend, we drove south to Florence (about three hours from Milan). We stayed two nights at the AC Hotel Firenze, another Marriott property that delivered good value on points.
Florence is one of those cities where you could spend a week and still not see everything, but two days gave us a solid taste. The Uffizi Gallery needs advance tickets — do not show up thinking you will walk in. The Duomo and its dome climb are worth the effort, especially for the interior frescoes. Cross the Arno to the Oltrarno neighborhood for a quieter, more local feel.
For food, Florence is all about the bistecca alla fiorentina — a massive T-bone steak that is typically shared. We found the best casual meals at the Mercato Centrale, a covered market with food stalls on the upper floor. The lampredotto (tripe sandwich) sounds questionable but is actually one of the best street foods in Italy.
Rome: The Grand Finale
We finished the trip with several days in Rome. If you have been before, Rome rewards repeat visits — there is always something new to discover beyond the Colosseum and Vatican. We spent time in Trastevere, which has a great evening atmosphere with restaurants spilling onto the cobblestone streets.
A few highlights from this visit: Parco degli Acquedotti, a park on the metro line where six ancient Roman aqueducts still stand. It is a favorite picnic spot for locals and feels completely different from the tourist center. Villa Farnesina in Trastevere has Raphael frescoes that rival anything in the Vatican, with a fraction of the crowds.
For day trips from Rome, we considered Ponza (an island off the coast reachable by ferry) and Ostia Antica (Rome’s ancient port city, often compared to Pompeii but far less crowded). Both are doable in a day if you start early.
The Budget Breakdown
- Flights: Round trip ORD to Venice, Rome to ORD — booked with American Airlines miles, roughly 60,000 miles per person
- Hotels: Mix of Marriott points and paid nights, averaging 120-180 euros per night for paid stays
- F1 Tickets: General admission around 100 euros, grandstand seats 250-400 euros
- Car Rental: About 400 euros for 10 days including insurance and fuel
- Food: Budget 40-60 euros per day for two people eating well
- Trains/Transport: Venice vaporetto passes 15 euros/day, Milan-Monza train 5 euros round trip
Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely. The combination of an F1 race with a proper Italian road trip is hard to beat. The key is not trying to do too much — we covered five cities in twelve days, which felt about right without being rushed. If I were doing it again, I might skip the car entirely and do the whole thing by train. Italy’s rail network connects all these cities efficiently, and parking in historic city centers is a nightmare anyway.
For anyone planning a similar trip, book the F1 tickets and Florence museums well in advance. Everything else can be more flexible. And budget an extra day in whichever city you enjoy most — for us, that turned out to be Florence.