Embark on a 10-day self-guided rail journey visiting two of Italy’s most captivating cities - Rome and Florence – as well as the picturesque Cinque Terre located on the Italian Riviera.
Starting in Rome, spend three days exploring the ancient sites that are prevalent throughout the city. Visit the Vatican City on an included guided tour and discover the culinary delights during a stroll through one of Rome’s oldest neighbourhoods, Trastevere. Continue by train to Florence which is home to world-class art galleries, medieval architecture and some of the country’s finest gastronomy. Finish this classic Italian trip with three nights in the Cinque Terre situated on Liguria’s coast. Made up of five colourful fishing villages, this photogenic region is a great place to relax after spending a week in bustling cities; take a sunset boat ride, sample local wine and enjoy a pesto making class if you wish.
Rome – Florence – Cinque Terre
Trip Highlights
- Marvel at art in Florence where illustrious galleries include the Uffizi and Accademia
- Explore the Cinque Terre, five colourful coastal villages that cling to the rugged coast
- Discover Rome’s extraordinary historical sites including the iconic Colosseum
- Visit Vatican City – where religion, art and architecture majestically combine
- Take a stroll to the hilltop Piazzale Michelangelo for spectacular views over Florence
- Whilst staying in the Cinque Terre enjoy a pesto making class or take a sunset boat trip
Itinerary
Day 1
UK to Rome
Begin your journey this morning by boarding your international flight to Rome. On arrival you will be met and privately transferred from the airport to your hotel in central Rome. Awash with ancient ruins, bustling piazzas and world-class galleries, Rome was one of the most pivotal cities and is now often described as an open-air museum. After hotel check-in and a traditional lunch on one of the lively piazzas, take a stroll through central Rome to admire some of the famous sights. See the dominating Pantheon – a temple-turned-church that was originally built during the reign of Augustus, stop at the iconic Trevi Fountain for gelato and continue up the Spanish Steps to the bustling Piazza di Spagna.
The Guardian Hotel
Hotel Dei Mellini
H10 Palazzo Galla
Palazzo Manfredi
Day 2
Rome
Today you have another day of leisure in Rome. Visit the Colosseum, the famous ancient site where Roman emperors hosted legendary battles. A ticket to the Colosseum also includes the less visited but just as impressive sites of Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Once the political and social hub of Rome, explore the historic columns and restored temples where emperors and important political and religious figures would work. Continue to the picturesque Villa Borghese gardens in the north of the city. Offering a peaceful respite from bustling Rome, you may wish to enjoy a picnic in the shady groves, discover the historic park buildings or even take a rowing boat out on the lake.
- Breakfast
The Guardian Hotel
Hotel Dei Mellini
H10 Palazzo Galla
Palazzo Manfredi
Day 3
Rome - visit the Vatican
After breakfast make your way to the Vatican City ready for your included guided tour. The smallest state in the world and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican is a melting pot of religion, art and architecture. Tour the Vatican Museums that house an extraordinary collection of art, sculptures, maps and antiquities. Continue to the iconic Sistine Chapel which is home to Michelangelo’s spectacular painted ceiling and frescoes before finishing the tour in St Peter’s Basilica. If you wish, you can climb the 551 steps to the top of the dome for unrivalled views of the Vatican and Rome. With an afternoon at leisure, why not take a stroll through the leafy streets of historic Trastevere known for its pastel-coloured crumbling architecture and crumbling walls. Stop at one of the traditional trattorias for cacio e pepe, Rome’s signature dish.
- Breakfast
The Guardian Hotel
Hotel Dei Mellini
H10 Palazzo Galla
Palazzo Manfredi
Day 4
Rome to Florence - by train
After breakfast travel to Rome rail station and take the fast train to Florence. On arrival make your own way to your central hotel. Located in the Tuscan hills on the banks of the Arno, Florence is celebrated for its history, art and gastronomy. The city is relatively compact therefore the best way to explore is by foot. Spend the afternoon at leisure where you may wish to walk to Piazzale Michelangelo, a hilltop square on the city’s south bank. Admire the spectacular panorama of Florence’s terracotta-tiled homes, spires and domes before exploring the adjoining rose and iris gardens. You will also find the historic Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens nearby. Established by the Medici family in the mid-sixteenth century, the palace is now a museum complex and art gallery featuring antique pieces from Medici furnished apartments to Renaissance art collections.
- 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 surrounding countryside of Tuscany. After breakfast why not walk through the old town where you will find the fortified Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio and the iconic Duomo of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Florence is also renowned for its wonderful art galleries including the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery. If you’d like to get out of the city for the day, there are many options available. Take a traditional cooking class in the Chianti hills, cycle out to local vineyards and villages on an e-bike or take the train to 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 the Cinque Terre - by train
After breakfast at the hotel make your own way to Florence rail station and board the train for Riomaggiore where you will need to change in Pisa. The world-famous Cinque Terre consists of five colourful villages that cling to the clifftops on the Italian Riviera. That afternoon you may wish to relax by the hotel pool or take a five-minute train to one of the famous villages for sunset.
- Breakfast
Scorci Di Mare
Porto Roca Hotel
Day 8-9
The Cinque Terre
Spend the next two days at leisure exploring the beautiful Cinque Terre region. Made up of five coastal villages – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare – each town has its own charm and identity. From your accommodation in Riomaggiore it is easy to take the train or ferry to, and between, the villages. Highlights include a pesto making class in romantic Manarola, sunset boat trip from Riomaggiore, Monterosso’s sandy beaches, the vineyards surrounding Corniglia and Vernazza’s beautiful harbour.
- Breakfast
Scorci Di Mare
Porto Roca Hotel
Day 10
Cinque Terre to Pisa / Pisa 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...
Marvel at Pisa’s world-famous Leaning Tower, building in time to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site en-route from Florence to the Cinque Terre. Dating to the 1100s, and famously tilting due to the soft ground, the tower forms part of the Piazza dei Miracoli complex.
Discover the historic port of Genoa, capital of Liguria. An important maritime city, during the Middle Ages Genoa played an important role in both trade and exploration. Walk the UNESCO protected old town with its labyrinthine maze of narrow alleyways known locally as caruggi.
Turin can be reached by train from Genoa. A city of baroque palaces, churches and piazzas, nestled at the foot of the Alps and bisected by the River Po, Turin has a distinct food culture known both for traditional Piedmontese dishes but also chocolate and other sweet treats.
Explore cosmopolitan Milan, the forward-thinking, business oriented, fashion capital of Italy. Gaze at the incredible Gothic spires of the city’s famous Duomo, view mesmerising artworks including Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ or attend an opera at the highly regarded La Scala.
Guide to Price
10 days from £1990 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
- Train travel as specified
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £1990
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.
Looking for something more bespoke?
Our Italy travel consultants can help you create your perfect trip
- Experts in tailor-made holidays
- Honest pricing with no hidden extras
- ABTA and ATOL protected
Our Reviews
What our clients say
I look forward to planning my next trip with you!
JT - Italy - June 2024
We are back from our lovely holiday in Lake Garda, we had a fantastic time and all the bookings ran perfectly. Thank you for your help in arranging everything and I look forward to planning my next trip with you!
Getting to know you
A crucial part of our process, discuss your plans with us either by phone, video or in person.
Helping you to design your trip
Entirely tailor-made, there is complete flexibility to incorporate all your requirements.
On-hand support, when you need it
Our team are on hand to answer any questions and ensure you are fully ready, and excited, for your trip.
Full confidence whilst you are away
Enjoy full support from our UK team and trusted local partners throughout your journey.
We’re pleased to confirm that Pettitts Travel will not apply any surcharges to our package holidays when we are operating as a tour operator, regardless of changes in global costs. The price you agree at the time of booking is the price you will pay, a commitment we have proudly upheld for the past 38 years.
