Best of Italy by Train

Welcome to the Canal City of Venice. Make your own way to our hotel and check in. In the afternoon, meet your Tour Leader and the rest of the group in the hotel lobby and set off on a walking tour with an expert local guide to uncover the charm of Venice, famously known as “La Serenissima”. We'll uncover all the main highlights, from the Rialto Bridge to St Mark's Square and Doge's Palace, along with plenty of hidden gems too. After the walking tour, a professional gondolier takes over, inviting us to relax and enjoy a half-hour glide through Venice’s enchanting canals, experiencing the city from its most iconic perspective - the water.

Venice - Florence. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we visit a Murano glass factory to learn about the ancient art of glassblowing and sculpting. You'll then have some free time to wander the Canal City at leisure, before we depart from Florence in the afternoon.

We are travelling by high speed train to the Cradle of the Renaissance. On arrival, we embark one a walking tour of the city’s highlights, starting with the Ponte Vecchio. We also take in the Portico of the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza della Signoria, and Florence Cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, home to Brunelleschi’s iconic dome. Across from the Cathedral, we can admire the Baptistery’s gilded bronze “Gates of Paradise,” depicting intricate biblical scenes.

Afer the tour, we make our way to our hotel in Florence. Dinner is included tonight, giving you the chance to try the famous Florentine-style T-bone steak, bistecca alla Fiorentina. Don't worry if you don't eat meat, there are plenty of vegetarian options too!

Florence - Siena - Chianti - San Gimignano - Florence. After breakfast, we set off to experience the best of Tuscany. Our adventure begins in Siena, renowned for its medieval walls and the famous Palio horse race, held annually in the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. We'll take in the highlights of the city, including the magnificent Siena Cathedral, a masterpiece of Roman-Gothic architecture, and the Torre del Mangia. After the tour, you can take some free time to wander the city’s streets.

Next, we journey through the Chianti countryside, home to rolling hills, cypress trees, olive groves, and vineyards. We stop at a family-owned wine estate for a traditional Tuscan lunch and wine tasting.

Our final stop of the day is San Gimignano, home to 14 surviving medieval towers. There's free time to explore its bustling main street before we return to Florence for the night.

Today is completely free for you to further explore Florence at your own pace. If you wish to visit the Uffizi Gallery or any other of the city's attractions, we recommend booking your ticket in advance. Alternatively you could take a day trip to Cinque Terre, or other Tuscan treasures like Pisa or Lucca.

Florence - Naples - Pompeii - Sorrento. Say farewell to Florence as we check out after breakfast and make our way to the train station. Boarding a high-speed train to Naples, you can sit back and relax for the scenic three-hour journey. On arrival, we transfer to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where an expert guide brings to life the dramatic story of this Roman city, frozen in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Your luggage will be sent on to tonight's hotel in Sorrento.

After exploring Pompeii, we transfer to Sorrento, our base for the next three nights. You have a free evening to head out and find somewhere nice for dinner in this pretty coastal town.

Sorrento - Capri - Sorrento. After breakfast, we set off on a full-day trip to the island of Capri. From the Sorrento pier, we take a ferry to Marina Grande, where we transfer to a smaller vessel for our included boat tour. We marvel at landmarks like the welcoming “Scugnizzo” statue, Tiberius’ Leap, and the natural arches and dramatic cliffs that are sprinkled around the coastline. Depending on the weather conditions, we may also be able to visit the famous Blue Grotto (entry by rowboat is optional and paid separately).

After returning to Marina Grande, a minibus takes us up to Anacapri and the iconic Piazzetta, offering spectacular views. You will have some free time to explore Capri at your own pace before we make the return journey to Sorrento for the night.

Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi - Sorrento. Today we are embarking on a full-day cruise along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Our first port of call is the elegant town of Positano, known as the "Pearl of the Coast", with its colourful cliffside houses. There's free time for lunch here.

Later, we continue to Amalfi, where we visit the stunning Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, perched above the bay. There's also free time to take in the unique terraced houses cascading down the hills.

As the sun begins to set, we begin our cruise back to Sorrento, basking in the golden glow of dusk.

Sorrento - Naples - Rome. After breakfast in Sorrento, we check out and transfer back to Naples train station, where we board a high-speed train to Rome. On arrival, you will be given a ticket for the city's Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour, which is valid for 24 hours. Your luggage will be forwarded to our hotel, so use this afternoon to take in the sights of the Italian capital, including the legendary Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

Later, we regroup and set out on a walking tour, exploring the city’s Baroque treasures. We visit Piazza Navona, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and marvel at the Pantheon, once a pagan temple and now a magnificent church. We then transfer to the hotel for check in, where your luggage will be waiting.

IToday is free for you to explore the Italian capital further, or you can join an optional tour to the Vatican Museums, home to an extraordinary collection of art spanning centuries. Highlights include Michelangelo’s stunning Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel.

As it is our final evening, we enjoy an included farewell dinner in Trastevere, a charming bohemian neighbourhood across the Tiber River.

Tuck into a final breakfast at the hotel before check out. Make your own way to the airport for your onward flight. We can also assist with booking transfers, please contact us for this.