Jewels of Italy by Rail

Upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino International Airport, you will met our representive and will be transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is at your leisure to begin exploring the Eternal City at your own pace. You may choose to discover some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, such as Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Spain Square. If your arrival is early, we recommend a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, where you can admire Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and other masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance. A variety of optional experiences are also available, such as a cooking class to learn how to make traditional pizza, pasta, or gelato, or even a Vespa or Segway tour for a unique way to see the city. In the evening, we suggest dining at a typical Roman trattoria to enjoy authentic local cuisine. 

Overnight in Rome

After breakfast at the hotel, the day begins with a guided Imperial Tour of Rome (included), offering an in-depth look at some of the city’s most iconic ancient landmarks. You will explore the ruins of the Roman Forum, step inside the legendary Colosseum and listen as your guide brings to life the fascinating history of ancient Rome, including the dramatic stories of gladiatorial combat. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to continue discovering the Eternal City on your own. Optional excursions are available, such as a visit to the mysterious Catacombs of Rome, or for the more active traveler, an electric bike tour through the historic center or lesser-known corners of the city. In the evening, we suggest a stroll through the lively Trastevere district, known for its charming streets and abundance of traditional Roman restaurants.

Overnight in Rome

Optional: Visit the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel (3H)
Enjoy our guided tour of the Vatican Museums and visit the largest art collection in the world jumping the line. Your expert guide will lead you into the museum and its best galleries where you will admire frescoes, statues, tapestries and historical maps. Walk through the famous Hall of Maps and the Gallery of the Tapestries until you reach the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo last judgement.

After breakfast at the hotel, make your own way to Rome Termini Station to board the high-speed train to Florence, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Upon arrival, proceed to your hotel on your own for check-in, then enjoy free time to explore Florence at your own pace. Known as the cradle of the Renaissance, the city offers a wealth of artistic and cultural treasures. You may wish to join a guided tour of one of its renowned museums, such as the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Botticelli and others, or the Accademia Gallery, where you can admire Michelangelo’s original statue of David. Alternatively, consider a half-day excursion to Pisa to see its iconic Leaning Tower and historic square. Overnight stay at your hotel in Florence.

Overnight in Florence

Note: 2nd class high speed train ticket from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station

Optional: Entrance and Guided Visit to Uffizi and Accademia Gallery
Enjoy an enriching cultural experience with an audio-guided visit to two of Florence’s most iconic museums: the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery. Discover masterpieces by Renaissance legends such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. At the Uffizi, admire “The Birth of Venus,” while at the Accademia, stand before Michelangelo’s original statue of David. Explore at your own pace with informative audio commentary enhancing your visit.

Optional: Half day tour of Pisa
Discover the best of Pisa with a guide on this half-day tour from Florence. Walk through the grand Piazza dei Miracoli, admire the Romanesque Cathedral interiors, and enjoy free time to explore the iconic Leaning Tower and other landmarks. Learn fascinating stories of Pisa’s history while enjoying the views and timeless architecture. 

After breakfast at the hotel, set out on a captivating half-day guided tour of Florence, where an expert local guide will bring to life over two thousand years of history in the city known as the cradle of the Renaissance. As you walk through its elegant streets and squares, discover the monuments, landmarks and stories that have made Florence one of the world’s most iconic cultural destinations. The remainder of the day is at your leisure take the opportunity to visit more of the city’s museums and churches, or consider an optional excursion to explore the charming towns and scenic landscapes of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. 

Overnight in Florence

Optional: Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni & Chianti with wine tasting
Crossing the beautiful Chianti hills, we arrive at the Medieval hilltop gem of Monteriggioni, with its still intact walls. Here you can drink in the history and relive the atmosphere of olden times. Our day tour continues to the stately Siena, famous for its splendid examples of Gothic architecture and the traditional Palio horse race. Follow your local guide to the suggestive Piazza del Campo, where the magnificent Palazzo Pubblico stands, with its Torre del Mangia. Visit Piazza del Duomo and be impressed by the imposing Cathedral, one of the finest achievements of Italian Gothic Next, we drive to San Gimignano, famous for its white wine, the world-renowned Vernaccia, and its skyscrapers, also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO! The visit is free for independent sightseeing, strolling around the narrow streets and admiring the relaxing landscape. At the end of the day tour, we move into the Chianti area, with its picture-postcard landscapes. You have the chance to taste the best Chianti red wine in a rustic wine estate along with home-made snacks and a sampling of wines and oil.

After breakfast make your own way to the railway station to board the high-speed train to Venice S. Lucia. The journey will take about 2h 15'. Upon arrival, make your own way to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure is this exciting city. This afternoon enjoy a 30-minute gondola ride with commentary via the app on your mobile phone. The gondola, the iconic Venetian wooden boat, can accommodate up to 6 people and will be shared with other passengers. Before dinner in Venice, it is traditional to have an aperitif based on “cichéti” (small snacks) in one of the many “bacari” (taverns) scattered along the “calli” (that is what the Venetian streets are called).  We recommend this must-try experience!

Overnight in Venice

Note: 2nd class high speed train ticket from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station to Venezia St. Lucia station

Today after breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in the city of canals. We recommend pre-booking a guided walking tour to see the most famous places in the city (including the Piazza San Marco with the Basilica and the Clock Tower, the Rialto Bridge, Campo Santa Maria Formosa) and other less-known sites; or book a skip-the-line guided tour of the Doge's Palace, with the Doge's luxurious apartments and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Alternatively, you may want to take an optional boat excursion to the islands of the Venice lagoon: Murano, known all over the world for its famous glass craftmanship; Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for the picturesque fishermen's houses all painted in bright colors; and Torcello, the first settlement in the lagoon. 

Overnight in Venice

Optional: Venice Walking tour - Morning
This is a walk to admire the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice from the exterior. A qualified and experienced guide will escort you through the millennium of life of the Serenissima Republic, recalling the city's past full of charm - an essential tour for the understanding of Venice. The route includes Piazza San Marco - origins, history and description of the main monuments; Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace), Bell Tower, Clock Tower and Procuratie. Continue to Santa Maria Formosa - history and anecdotes related to this wonderful and characteristic square. Campo San Giovanni e Paolo - the "Pantheon" of Venice, the Great School of Charity, the Captains of fortune. Marco Polo's House and Malibran Theater - anecdotes and distant and recent history intersect in this beautiful corner of Venice. Return to San Marco through the Mercerie, vital connection between Rialto and San Marco, and the main shopping street.

Optional: Excursion to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello
Enjoy the Panoramic Venice Islands tour: a day trip in the northern lagoon to discover Murano, Burano and Torcello. An excursion to see the islands in all their beauty. After a fascinating boat ride in the Lagoon dominated by nature, you will stop in Murano, the glass island, known throughout the world for its glassmaking art. You will visit a Furnace, where you will admire a glass-blowing demonstration and learn about the ancient glass-blowing technique. (You will stay 1 hour and 15 minutes). The tour will then continue towards Burano, the jewel of the Venetian Lagoon, famous all over the world for its lacemaking and for the brightly colored fishermen's houses. You will spend more time staying in Burano, which is probably the most charming island in the lagoon. You will arrive in Burano for lunchtime, so you will have the opportunity to choose one of the typical fish restaurants for a quick lunch or to shop at the handmade lace stores. (You will stay 1 hour and 30 minutes). Last, but not least is the quiet and sparsely populated island of Torcello, the first center of civilization in the estuary. On these islands, you can admire the oldest churches of the lagoon and discover how Venice was born! (You will stay 1 hour and 15 minutes). You will come back to the islands cross the lagoon and admire the fascinating St. Marks Basin from the boat.

Enjoy the panoramic boat, from where you can take marvelous pictures of Venice and its lagoon.

Today after breakfast, you will make your own way to Venice International Airport to check in for your onward flight.