Things to do: Rome, Florence, Venice, Capri
 

I am going to be in Italy and am planning to go to Rome, Florence, Venice and the isle of Capri.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do, eat, buy and see in these cities? I am also looking for gifts to bring back for people at work that are easy to bring home. Also wanted to know souvenirs I could buy for myself too. A few things come to mind: pesto jars, sun dried tomatoes, leather bag, cheese.

I have been to Rome before, only 2 days. I’ve seen the Trevi fountain, colosseum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica.

Thank you!

What to eat:
When traveling to those places I eat typical Italian food: pizza, pasta, steak, veal, and/or seafood for dinner. Coffee & croissant for breakfast. Ham & cheese sandwich for lunch.

What to do:
What is it that draws you to these places in the first place? Fodors travel guides has a lot of info about each of those places. If you like churches, then visit churches. If you like museums, then lots of great museums. , etc. If you are going during a busy tourist season then be sure to pre-book timed entrance to anything that will draw a crowd - especially museums and some churches.

What to buy:
Again, depends on your taste. Do you like expensive leather goods, pottery, blown glass.

Souvenirs for others or yourself
Pesto jars, sun dried tomatoes, leather bag, and cheese all seem like good things to buy.

I found the sachets from Carthusia on Capri to be the perfect mementos for a group of female friends, https://www.carthusia.it/casa.html?___store=en&p=2. They were in pretty paper envelopes, €5 each in 2015, lightweight, easy to pack.

From Rome, consider Villa d'Este. So gorgeous and about a 30 minute train ride from Rome to Tivoli. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1025
Villa d'Este, Tivoli, (Rome) - Italy - Official Site -
It is fountain HEAVEN!

Hadrian's Villa is also there so you could do both. Home - Villa Adriana e Villa d'Este

If you have never been to Borghese Gallery it is worth it but tickets are times and you will need to reserve in advance. The sculptures are so detailed and beautiful. Galleria borghese | Galleria Borghese - Sito ufficiale

Maybe the best oasis in Rome is Doria Pamphilj - family home and art collection right on via Corso in the middle of Rome. https://www.doriapamphilj.it/roma/

In Venice (i've been only twice) I just walked around. Get some good maps and go out on foot.

As far as souvenirs everything you named is heavy, large, or breakable. I wouldn't want to be hauling glass jars of pesto around for example -lol! I try to focus on things like: lace, scarves, dishtowels, postcards, calendars, etc. easy to pack, lightweight, not breakable.

Hi AllasonW. Two tings.
Ting One:
If while in Venice you visit Burano (you should; also visit Torcello), maybe try taking the very final vaporetto boat back to Venice proper. The nocturnal atmosphere around that return journey can be very special. For added value, try to sit outside at the very back.
Ting Two:
A rarified daytrip out of Rome could be to Ninfa Gardens, near Latina (must book ahead).
I am done. The end.

The things you mention bringing back don't seem all that special: pesto and sun-dried tomatoes you can easily make yourself if you like them, and who wants to haul back heavy jars? Cheese...well, you need to check what will get past the immigration checks. A leather bag? Sure, but there aren't any real bargains on them in Italy., but you'll probably find one that captures your fancy.

I like suze's ideas for things to bring back - lightweight but pretty and practical.

My favorite things to bring back from Italy come from the cartolerie - beautiful papers, notebooks, stationery, pens, etc. They don't cost much and are light to carry.

Jewelry can be nice. Beads, pins, a necklace. A special small piece of Venetian glass.

Just about trains between all 4 - Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples (for Capri) - book those tickets as early as possible at www.trenitalia.com; www.italotreno.com - 2 train companies using same tracks and stations - for nice discounted fares. www.seat61.com has loads on doing that - general train info BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com. If first class is not much more as sometimes happens go for it - much more room for luggage and more relaxed.

Thank you!
 

Bags of biscotti make a nice, easy to pack and light gift. Unfortunately several of ours never made it out of our house after we returned. Must have been a mouse that got into them.

One thing I have done for co workers and friends if I do buy something like pesto or olive oil that I want to share with them is to buy one jar/bottle and make an appetizer or dish with it and share it with them. It is a fun way for them to get the rewards - without the effort.

J62's idea of biscotti is a good one - he must have the same mouse as i have had, though. Nice chocolates (from a confectioner) is something I have done as well. On my last trip, though, with my parents, the chocolate did not make it back because th big human mouse (my Dad) got into it mid-way through the trip. Lesson learned for me to pack it with my things.

One thing that some of my American friends and relatives appreciate is a packet of dried porcini mushrooms. They're very lightweight, affordable, and very Italian. My daughter was here a few weeks ago and bought 20 packets to take back. Her husband grows mushrooms, but porcinis are not easy to find in the Midwest USA.

If you'll pass through Fiumicino airport, there is a Fabriano paper shop that sells various handmade paper items and other paper-related gifts. Fabriano, in Le Marche, was one of the earliest paper-making centers in Europe. The manufacture of paper began there in the middle ages, and continues to this day.

Many of the activities suggested would take a lot more time than what is usually allowed as free time on an organized tour. One thing you could probably fit in is a visit to the Villa Farnesina in Trastevere. This is a beautiful Renaissance villa, set in a lovely garden, with frescoes, including some by Raphael. You don't need reservations, and the visit would take less than an hour. There are also some good restaurants in Trastevere.

There are many churches worth a visit. The papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is very near the Colosseum. It's one of the oldest basilicas in Rome, and it's full of golden mosaics, some around 1500 years old.

J62 & Bvlenci, 'dem a rascal ting mouse!
I am done. The crumbs.

My friends all enjoy the small packets of herbs and spices that are for sale at every market in Italy.

In Rome, I bought scooter key chains. They were a big hit with coworkers. I also got chapsticks and small lotions at the pharmacy by the Spanish Steps (at the bottom of the steps looking up to the right). If going to Capri via Sorrento the small lemon soaps were appreciated. In Venice it's always jewelry. In Florence, leather keychains/pocketbook accessories were bought. I'm a big shopper :).