i had a similar struggle when i first started out with my d5600. honestly, i wasted money on the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II because everyone said it was the ultimate travel lens, but i was super disappointed with it. it was way heavier than i expected and it had this annoying issue called lens creep where the zoom just slides out while you walk. totally ruined the experience for me when i was trying to navigate crowds in rome. if you want to stay within that $400 budget and actually enjoy your walk through florence, look for a used Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. i switched to that and it was a game changer for my last trip. its much lighter and way sharper than the 200mm. unfortunately, any lens that zooms a lot isnt gonna be amazing in dark churches, thats just the trade-off. you'll have to deal with some grain in your photos inside, but its better than missing the shot because you were fumbling with a lens that doesnt zoom at all. basically, the 18-140 gives you enough wide angle for the buildings and plenty of reach for those statues. just dont expect it to be a low-light miracle worker... but for a beginner, it really is the most practical choice out there. check sites like mpb or keh to find one for like $250-300 and spend the rest on a nice dinner.

I just saw your post and i am so excited for your trip to Italy! Seriously, you are going to have an amazing time and that camera is fantastic for capturing memories. Since you want to be safe and avoid carrying extra gear, there is a very specific recommendation that fits your budget perfectly. Honestly, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is exactly what you need. It is professional, reliable, and incredibly versatile tho! Methodically looking at your requirements, this lens covers everything from wide angles for the Pantheon to zooming in on details of the David statue. You can find these used for around $200 or $300 online which leaves you extra money for gelato! It is a massive upgrade over your kit lens because it gives you much more reach without being a giant heavy brick. Regarding the crop factor, dont even worry about it for now... basically just know that on your D5600, 18mm is wide enough for buildings and 140mm is plenty for zooming. For low light in churches, the Vibration Reduction (the VR in the name) is a total lifesaver! It helps keep images sharp even if your hands shake a bit when using slower shutter speeds. If you buy from a reputable used dealer, you get a solid piece of gear for a total bargain. This lens has been amazing for me and it really is the safest bet for a one-lens solution that wont break the bank or your neck. Have a wonderful trip!

I just saw this and totally get the frustration. Forget the jargon for a sec and look at the third-party glass. I spent years testing optics and honestly, I have been very satisfied moving away from the basic Nikon zooms for travel. Since you want one lens that does everything from wide architecture to far-off details, these are your best bets for a D5600:

• Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD for Nikon. This is basically the king of range. I used this for a month in Japan and never took it off. The HLD (High/Low torque-modulated Drive) motor is super snappy for a lens this size. It covers the same range as like three different lenses combined. You can usually find them used for around $480.
• Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary for Nikon. This is technically part of Sigmas C line, which focuses on being compact. It uses four FLD glass elements to keep things sharp and reduce color fringing. Its way lighter than the Tamron and works well if you are worried about neck strain after eight hours walking around Rome. Basically, crop factor just means your 18mm looks like 27mm on a pro full-frame camera. It doesnt really matter as long as the lens starts at 18mm, which both of these do. You will be happy with the results without ever having to open your camera sensor to the dust.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I have to say I am honestly in the exact same boat and it has been so disappointing trying to find a clear answer. I have been dealing with this exact same dilemma for my Nikon D5600 for like four months now and every time I think I have it figured out, I just get more confused. It is really frustrating because I just want one thing that works without carrying a huge bag around.

• Every option seems way too heavy for a long day of walking.
• Everything that actually sounds decent is way out of my budget.
• The tech jargon just makes me want to leave the camera at home. I really thought there would be a simple answer by now but it feels like you need a degree just to buy a piece of glass... honestly just venting because I am just as lost as you are right now and it is super discouraging.

> I really don't want to carry a big bag or be swapping things out Just get a Nikon all-in-one zoom, you cant go wrong. I have one and im super happy with it, no complaints and works well for everything.

Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.

Big if true

^ This. Also, dont let the tech talk scare you off! I think the main thing you need to focus on is that f-stop number for those dark churches. A lower number like f/2.8 or f/4 lets in way more light than your current kit lens, which is huge for performance! IIRC there are some high-performance constant aperture zooms that would be fantastic for a trip like this. They give you that pro look with the blurry backgrounds and much better sharpness. Honestly, the crop factor thing is just a 1.5x multiplier because your sensor is smaller than a 35mm film frame. It is basically just math! I am not entirely sure if a lens exists that covers a massive 18-300mm range while also being great in low light for under $500, but a used f/2.8 zoom would be amazing for Rome. You get way better glass and way better data for your photos than any phone could ever dream of! Just look for something with a fixed aperture if you can find it in your budget, it makes a world of difference for those indoor shots.