Showcasing some of the best that Italy has to offer, this self-guided rail journey encompasses the three great Italian cities of Venice, Florence and Rome.
Starting in Venice, spend three nights in this romantic city, a place unlike anywhere else in the world. Explore the twisting canals and cobbled backstreets that lead to historic and hidden gems, take a gondola ride or choose to spend the evening at the opera. Continue your journey to Florence, the epitome of Italy. Home to world-class art galleries, medieval architecture and gourmet Tuscan cuisine, spend the next three days exploring the sights, sounds and smells of this captivating city. Finish in Italy’s ‘Eternal City’, Rome. Often described as an open-air museum, Rome is resplendent with ancient treasures and traditional trattorias; discover must-see sights including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum and the Vatican City.
Venice – Florence – Rome
Trip Highlights
- Discover Venice, an enchanting city brimming with beautiful architecture and history
- Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is one of Italy’s most enchanting cities
- Marvel at Michelangelo’s striking painted frescoes in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel
- Arrange tickets to Teatro La Fenice in Venice for a memorable evening at the opera
- Florence’s Uffizi Gallery has masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli
- In Rome explore the extraordinary Colosseum and the nearby sites of Palatine Hill
Itinerary
Day 1
UK to Venice
Begin your journey this morning by boarding your international flight to Venice. On arrival you will be met and privately transferred from the airport to your hotel in central Venice. Spend the rest of the day at leisure where you may wish to explore the city. Wander to St Mark’s Square, a bustling piazza that’s home to the Byzantine beauty of St Mark’s Basilica and the fairytale-like Palazzo Ducale boasting stunning frescoes and stuccowork. In the evening feast on cicchetti, a traditional Venetian antipasto whilst enjoying a spritz overlooking the lively lagoon.
Firenze Hotel
Hotel Saturnia & International Venezia
Ca’ Pisani Deco Design Hotel
Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel
Day 2-3
Venice
The next two days are at leisure where you are free to explore the city’s maze of waterways and cobbled streets. After breakfast at the hotel, meander through Venice’s pretty backstreets admiring the passing gondolas and colourful crumbling buildings. Take in the views over the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge whilst soaking up the café culture and pausing for gelato. You may wish to visit the islands of Murano, famous for its Venetian glassblowing, and Burano, home to vibrantly painted fisherman houses. Both islands are easy to reach using the city’s excellent water taxi system. If you are interested in the arts, an evening at the opera is highly recommended. Teatro La Fenice is one of Italy’s most historic and revered opera houses. Housing some of the world’s most iconic musical and operatic performances, we will be happy to arrange tickets for you.
- Breakfast
Firenze Hotel
Hotel Saturnia & International Venezia
Ca’ Pisani Deco Design Hotel
Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel
Day 4
Venice to Florence - by train
After breakfast travel to Venice rail station and take the fast train to Florence. Capital of Tuscany and home of the Renaissance, Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful and captivating cities. On arrival make your own way to your centrally located hotel. That afternoon you may wish to take a stroll to Piazzale Michelangelo, a hilltop square on the south bank of the Arno River that offers spectacular views of the terracotta-tiled domes and spires that make up the city. Sunset is a particularly striking time to go. Nearby lies the fantastic Pitti Palace and adjoining Boboli Gardens. Established by the Medici family in the mid-sixteenth century, the palace is now a huge museum complex housing opulent furnished apartments from the Medici and Savoy periods. Alternatively, the Boboli Gardens offer a peaceful respite from the bustling city and are populated with landscaped hedgerows, ornate fountains and ponds and beautifully shaded groves.
- Breakfast
Hotel Kraft
Palazzo Castri 1874
Gallery Art Hotel
Hotel Lungarno
Day 5-6
Florence
The next two days are at leisure where you are free to explore Florence and the surrounding area as you wish. The city is home to a treasure trove of historical and cultural sites including the fortified town hall of Palazzo Vecchio, the medieval bridge Ponte Vecchio and the beautifully imposing Duomo of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Florence is also renowned for its wonderful art galleries including the Uffizi Gallery where greats such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli all feature, and the Accademia Gallery which houses the iconic ‘David’ statue. There are also several things to do outside of Florence that we can help arrange. Pass rolling hills and Tuscan cypress trees as you journey through the famous Chianti wine region stopping off at vineyards to sample some of the world’s finest reds. Alternatively, you could take a train to nearby Siena, a stunning medieval city home to a bustling piazza and gothic cathedral.
- Breakfast
Hotel Kraft
Palazzo Castri 1874
Gallery Art Hotel
Hotel Lungarno
Day 7
Florence to Rome - by train
This morning make your way to the nearby railway station and travel to Rome by fast train. One of the most pivotal cities of the ancient world, Rome is awash with historical ruins, bustling piazzas, marvellous galleries and a sublime food scene. A great city to explore on foot, after checking in to your central hotel why not take a walk through central Rome to admire some of the famous sights. Stop for a coffee or beer at the lively Piazza della Rotonda and admire the spectacular Pantheon, continue to the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna and the white-washed Trinità dei Monti Church.
- Breakfast
The Guardian Hotel
Hotel Dei Mellini
H10 Palazzo Galla
Palazzo Manfredi
Day 8
Rome and the Vatican
After breakfast take a stroll to the Vatican City where you may wish to arrange a guided tour. As the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican is a melting pot of religion, art, architecture and history. Explore the Vatican Museums which are home to an extraordinary collection of sculptures, art and antiquities before viewing Michelangelo’s spectacular painted frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Finish the tour in St Peter’s Basilica where you may choose to climb to the top of the dome for unrivalled views of the city. Later that afternoon, why not take a walk through the leafy streets of historic Trastevere known for its colourful architecture, craft beer and bustling trattorias.
- Breakfast
The Guardian Hotel
Hotel Dei Mellini
H10 Palazzo Galla
Palazzo Manfredi
Day 9
Rome
Today you are at leisure to continue exploring Italy’s ancient capital. You may wish to visit Rome’s best-known site – the Colosseum. Completed in AD 80 this was the site where Roman emperors hosted legendary battles where gladiators, slaves and exotic animals came face-to-face in bloody combat. A ticket to the Colosseum also includes the less visited but just as impressive sites of Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Admire the crumbling columns, arches and temples which was once the political hub of Rome. The beautiful Villa Borghese gardens in the north of the city offer a shady respite from the heat whilst Janiculum Hill features a wonderful panorama over Rome.
- Breakfast
The Guardian Hotel
Hotel Dei Mellini
H10 Palazzo Galla
Palazzo Manfredi
Day 10
Rome to the UK
After breakfast you will be met from your hotel and be taken to the airport by private transfer for the flight back to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Add an extra day in Florence and visit Siena. This medieval gem is one of Tuscany’s finest cities with a UNESCO protected core centred on the grand Piazza del Campo. Explore a labyrinth of narrow streets, visit the Duomo and Piccolomini Library and climb the Torre del Mangia.
Verona could be included at the start of your holiday as there are regular rail links from the city to Venice. The historic heart of the city with its medieval architecture and Roman ruins is a delight to explore with the 1st century AD Arena di Verona which now hosts opera an iconic landmark.
Discover Bologna, a food loving city of grand porticoed streets, renaissance squares, museums, galleries, basilicas and palazzos. Visit magnificent Piazza Maggiore, walk covered walkways to the tilting Garisenda and Asinelli towers or hike to hilltop Sanctuary of San Luca.
Beautiful Sorrento is reached from both Rome and Naples. Delightful in its own right, Sorrento is also an ideal base for exploring the ruins of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. With a stunning cliffside setting enjoy the old town or simply soak up the atmosphere in a traditional café.
Guide to Price
10 days from £1790 - £2290 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
- Train travel and transfers as specified
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £1790 - £2290
Travel Information
Getting There
British Airways fly direct from London to many Italian cities including Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Pisa and Verona. They also offer flights to the Italian islands Sardinia and Sicily. Regional flights with British Airways are available with a connection at Heathrow. Budget airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet also have a wide range of flights available between the UK and Italy. Alternatively take the luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient Express between London and Venice, or self-drive is also an option.
Flying Times From UK
Flight times take between 2-4 hours depending on where you are flying into in Italy. It takes two and a half hours to fly between the UK and Rome.
Time Zone
Italy is +1 hour ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
British Citizens do not require a visa for travel to Italy. You should ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity, that you have appropriate travel insurance and correct documentation if planning to drive. Travellers will not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. For more information please visit the UK Government website.
Do’s & Don’ts
When taking photographs, permission should always be asked before taking someone’s picture.
Make sure you pack suitable clothing so that you can dress respectfully for visits to religious venues.
Knees and shoulders should be covered when entering Catholic Churches such as St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City or St Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
If you manage to learn a few words in Italian it will be greatly appreciated.
Money
The local currency is the Euro which is easily exchanged before you leave the UK or once in Italy. ATMs are reliable and commonplace throughout the country and nearly all major credit cards are accepted. Some restaurants may include an extra service fee for payments made with a credit or debit card so this is always worth checking first. Changing foreign currency is an easy process in Italy which is possible at banks, hotels and post offices.
Tipping
There is no set rule for tipping in Italy, but 10% for good service is appreciated. In some restaurants service charge is added to your bill automatically so ensure you check this. Tips in cash are preferred.
Food & Drink
Italian food is one of the world’s most loved and accessible cuisines and is very much focused on simplicity, flavours and local produce. Like many destinations, food is very regional in Italy, and each area has its own speciality, many boasting recipes that have been passed from generation to generation. Renowned for its incredible pizza and pasta, Italy also offers dishes which use some of the continent’s best ingredients including Tuscan truffles, fresh seafood from Liguria, cured meat from Parma, Sicilian lemons, buffalo mozzarella from Campania and Modena’s famous balsamic vinegar. Italy is also known for its excellent coffee, and the culture surrounding this, which is ingrained into daily life. Other popular drinks include limoncello, a lemon-based liqueur, the strong spirit of grappa and, of course, wine.
Accommodation
There is an excellent variety of accommodation in Italy ranging from luxurious heritage properties and modern international resorts to boutique city hotels and secluded villas. Throughout all Italian cities there is a huge range of international chain or boutique hotels as well as apartments available, all of which follow European standards. Tuscany and Umbria offer villas with pools in the stunning countryside perfect for family or group holidays. There an abundance of lakeside hotels and apartments in the Italian Lakes whereas Sardinia and Sicily have a wonderful range of beach resorts. There is also specialist accommodation available throughout the country including mountain monasteries, rural farmhouses, ski lodges and local campsites.
Shopping
The Italians are renowned for their fashion and high-end clothes, shoes and bags. Florence, Milan and Rome are excellent places to shop for both Italian and international designers. Traditional craft items such as pottery, jewellery, ornaments and leatherwork can be found at local markets and craft shops throughout the country in both the big cities and more rural villages.Food markets are an excellent way to sample Italian street food and also buy produce including olive oil, truffles, fresh seafood and meat, cheese and vegetables, whereas local wine or spirts can be shipped back to the UK.
Suggested Reading
Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and DK Eyewitness have excellent guide books on Italy and also offer regional or city variations. For books on the history of Italy try ‘The Pursuit of Italy: A History of a Land, Its Regions, and Their Peoples’ by Sir David Gilmore, ‘House of Medici’ by Christopher Hibbert and ‘Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ by Edward Gibbon. ‘The Italians’ by Luigi Barzini deeply explores the Italian character and psyche and for a brilliantly comprehensive A-Z guide on Italian food, try ‘The Oxford Companion to Italian Food’ by Gillian Riley. There are also a number of excellent biographies and fictional reads set in Italy that include:
‘The Merchant of Prato’ by Iris Origo
'Christ Stopped At Eboli' by Carlo Levi
‘The Borgias: Power and Fortune’ by Paul Strathern
‘The Leopard’ by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
‘Death in Venice’ by Thomas Mann
‘A Farewell to Arms’ by Ernest Hemmingway
‘The Land Where Lemons Grow’ by Helena Atlee
‘A Room With a View’ by E. M. Forster
‘Pompei’ by Rober Lustrum
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Italy the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice)which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly.We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (https://safertourism.org.uk/) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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