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Italy Rome and Sardinia Itinerary: Hotels, Excursions & Travel Tips

Rome and Sardinia Italy travel blog thumbnail featuring Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose in scuba gear, the Colosseum, and turquoise Mediterranean water.
Rome + Sardinia: Italy Travel Adventure with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose.

My Italy Adventure: Rome, Sardinia, Hotels, Excursions and Travel Essentials

Italy has been on my travel list for a long time, and this September I’m finally making the trip.

My itinerary takes me from Rome to Sardinia and back to Rome, with historic sights, beautiful beaches, boat excursions and plenty of walking along the way.

I’m sharing where I’m staying, the excursions I’m planning and some of the travel gear I’m packing in case you’re planning your own Italy adventure.

My Italy Itinerary

I arrive in Rome on September 3 and will spend several days exploring the city before heading to Sardinia.

My itinerary includes:

Rome: September 3–6
Sardinia: September 6–10
Return to Rome: September 10
Final night near Rome Fiumicino Airport before flying home

Planning a Vacation? Kathy Chrappa Can Help

I’ve worked with Kathy Chrappa at Dream Vacations, and she has more than 25 years of experience helping travelers find vacations that fit their budget and travel style. Whether you’re planning Europe, a cruise, or a tropical getaway, having someone help with the details can save time and reduce stress.

You can find Kathy on Facebook by searching for Kathy Chrappa Dream Vacations.

Where I’m Staying in Rome

Guest room at Town House Fontana di Trevi in Rome, Italy, featuring a double bed and bright modern interior.
Town House Fontana di Trevi, my Rome hotel near the Trevi Fountain.

Town House Rome Trevi Fountain

For my first stop, I’m staying at Town House Rome Trevi Fountain.

The location was a major reason I chose it. I wanted to stay close to central Rome so I could walk to restaurants, shops and major attractions without spending too much time dealing with transportation.

Staying near the Trevi Fountain also puts me in one of the most recognizable areas of Rome.

Check rates and availability for Town House Rome Trevi Fountain:

Exploring Rome

Rome is packed with history, architecture, food and famous landmarks.

I expect to do a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes will be one of the most important things in my suitcase.

My Rome Excursions

I already have several must-see Rome experiences planned for this trip.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

I’m taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour to get a good overview of Rome and see more of the city without having to walk every mile. It will also give me the flexibility to stop at different landmarks along the way.

Vatican City

A visit to Vatican City is also on my itinerary. I’m excited to see the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica and some of the incredible history and artwork found throughout the area.

Colosseum

No trip to Rome would feel complete without seeing the Colosseum. I’ll be visiting one of Rome’s most famous landmarks and learning more about its history while exploring the surrounding ancient ruins.

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Rome’s cobblestone streets make comfortable shoes especially important.

Amazon travel pick:


COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES

Lightweight Travel Backpack

I also plan to bring a lightweight backpack for sightseeing days.

It will give me enough room for water, my phone, a portable charger and a few essentials without carrying a large bag around the city.

Amazon travel pick:


LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACK

Traveling From Rome to Sardinia

After several days exploring Rome, I’m heading to Sardinia for a completely different part of the trip.

This portion will be all about beaches, the Mediterranean and time on the water.

Where I’m Staying in Sardinia

Beach at Hotel Stefania Boutique Hotel in Sardinia, Italy, with white sand, blue umbrellas and turquoise Mediterranean water.
The beach at Hotel Stefania Boutique Hotel in Sardinia, where I’ll be staying near Olbia.

Hotel Stefania Boutique Hotel by the Beach & Ristorante

For my Sardinia stay, I chose Hotel Stefania Boutique Hotel by the Beach & Ristorante in the Olbia area.

I wanted to stay somewhere close to the beach while still having access to the excursions I’m planning.

That makes this hotel a good base for exploring the northeastern side of Sardinia.

Check rates and availability for Hotel Stefania Boutique Hotel by the Beach & Ristorante:

My Sardinia Excursions

One of the biggest reasons I chose Sardinia is the water.

I’m especially excited about exploring the La Maddalena Archipelago, an area known for islands, beaches, coves and incredibly clear Mediterranean water.

La Maddalena Boat Excursion

A boat trip around La Maddalena is one of the excursions I’m looking forward to most.

The excursion should give me a chance to see parts of the islands that are much easier to experience from the water.

What I’m Packing for Sardinia

Beach and boat days require a completely different set of essentials than sightseeing in Rome.

Water Shoes

Water shoes should come in handy for rocky beaches, swimming stops and getting on and off boats.

Amazon travel pick:

WATER SHOES

Snorkel Gear

With Sardinia’s clear water, I definitely want snorkeling gear available.

Bringing my own also means I won’t have to rely on rental equipment.

Amazon travel pick:


SNORKEL GEAR

Waterproof Phone Pouch

A waterproof phone pouch is another small item that could save me a major headache around boats and beaches.

Amazon travel pick:

WATERPROOF PHONE POUCH

Returning to Rome

I return to Rome on September 10.

Instead of heading all the way back into central Rome, I plan to stay near Rome Fiumicino Airport for my final night.

That should make departure day much easier and eliminate the stress of traveling across Rome before my flight home.

My Rome Airport Hotel

Check rates and availability:

My Italy Travel Essentials

I’m trying to keep my packing practical.

I want items that work for sightseeing in Rome, walking around Sardinia and spending time on boats and beaches.

Some of my Italy travel essentials include:

Comfortable walking shoes
Lightweight backpack
Water shoes
Snorkel gear
Waterproof phone pouch
Small dry bag
Portable charger
European travel adapter
Sunglasses
Refillable water bottle

Follow My Italy Trip

I’ll be sharing more from Rome and Sardinia as I travel.

I plan to show you the hotels, excursions, beaches, food and places I visit along the way.

I’ll also share what I loved, what I would do differently and whether the hotels and excursions were worth the money.

If you’re planning your own Italy trip, I hope my experience helps make your planning a little easier.

Affiliate Disclosure

This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a qualifying purchase or booking through one of these links, at no additional cost to you.

Travel Planning Tips That Saved Me Money on My Italy Trip

Travel planning tips that saved me money on my Italy trip, including Google Flights, Booking.com, RFID wallet, MagSafe charger, and Rome attractions.

Planning a trip can feel overwhelming. I recently planned my dream trip to Italy, and I found a few tools that made everything much easier. They also helped me save money and stay organized.

If you’re planning your next vacation, here are a few travel tips that worked well for me.

1. Use Google Flights to Find the Best Airfare

Google Flights search results comparing airfare from Houston to Rome with price tracking and multiple airline options.
I used Google Flights to compare airfare and track prices before booking my Italy trip. It helped me find the best fare before purchasing my tickets.

Before booking any flight, I always start with Google Flights.

It compares prices from multiple airlines and travel websites in one place. One of my favorite features is the price tracking tool. You can turn on alerts and Google will email you if the fare goes up or drops before you book.

This helped me keep an eye on flights until I found the best price for my trip to Rome.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend services I personally use or believe provide value.

2. Stay Organized with Hotels.com

One of the biggest surprises while planning my trip was how easy it was to keep my hotel reservations organized with Hotels.com. I could compare prices, read verified guest reviews, and book accommodations that fit both my itinerary and budget.

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you can browse hotel options here:

Find Hotels in Rome

For my time in Sardinia, I’ll also be using to compare accommodations before I arrive:

Browse Hotels in Sardinia

Instead of juggling confirmations from several companies, I could keep my hotel plans in one place while still booking attractions, airport transfers, and other travel experiences separately.

Having everything organized makes traveling much less stressful.

Planning a Vacation? Kathy Chrappa Can Help

If planning an international trip feels overwhelming, consider using a travel advisor.

I’ve worked with Kathy Chrappa at Dream Vacations, and she has more than 25 years of experience helping travelers find vacations that fit their budget and travel style. Whether you’re planning Europe, a cruise, or a tropical getaway, having someone help with the details can save time and reduce stress.

You can find Kathy on Facebook by searching for Kathy Chrappa Dream Vacations.

3. Protect Your Credit Cards with an RFID Wallet

RFID-blocking wallet with AirTag holder designed to help protect credit cards and cash while traveling.
An RFID-blocking wallet can help protect your credit cards from electronic scanning and keeps your travel essentials organized in one place.

Crowded tourist areas can attract electronic pickpockets.

An RFID-blocking wallet or purse helps protect your credit cards and passport from unauthorized RFID scanning. It’s a small investment that can provide extra peace of mind while traveling.

4. Bring a MagSafe Portable Charger

MagSafe portable charger attached to an iPhone, providing convenient wireless charging while traveling.
A MagSafe portable charger kept my iPhone powered throughout the day for maps, boarding passes, photos, and navigation without searching for an outlet.

Your phone quickly becomes your camera, GPS, boarding pass, hotel key, and attraction ticket.

A MagSafe portable charger lets you recharge while walking around without carrying extra cables. It has become one of the travel items I never leave home without.

5. Book Popular Attractions Before You Leave

Many of Italy’s most popular attractions sell out weeks in advance.

For my trip, I booked:

Colosseum Arena Floor Experience

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tour

Rome Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Booking early gave me more choices for dates and times, and it helped me build my itinerary before arriving in Italy.

Final Thoughts

A little planning goes a long way. Using Google Flights to track airfare, Hotels.com to organize reservations, and a few simple travel accessories can make your trip much smoother.

I’m excited to share photos, videos, and travel tips from Italy, so be sure to check back for updates.

For more travel stories and adventures, explore my other travel articles here.

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Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.