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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Best of Italy featuring Lake Como & the Amalfi Coast

13-day independent rail tour from Rome through Lake Como, Venice, Florence, and the Amalfi

Illustration of Best of Italy featuring Lake Como & the Amalfi Coast

Vacations By Rail's Best of Italy tour is a 13-day independent rail journey that connects Italy's most celebrated regions. Starting in Rome, the itinerary carries you northward by train to the Alpine resort town of Como on the Swiss border, then eastward to Venice, southwestward through Florence and Tuscany's Chianti vineyards, and finally to the Amalfi Coast, with visits to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri before returning to Rome. You travel on your own schedule following a detailed plan, supported by 24/7 phone assistance from the operator. Most days blend optional small-group guided experiences such as walking tours of Venice and a Chianti wine tasting with unstructured free time to explore independently. Private transfers and boat ferries handle local movement, while trains link the main cities. The accommodation is standard 3 to 4 star hotels in central locations; most rooms are compact. This itinerary suits independent-minded travelers who want structure without constant group schedules, and those interested in art, history, food, and wine.

What to know before you look closer

  • Some hotel rooms are reported to be very small; guest review mentioned a shower measuring 22" × 22".
  • The from-price of $5,895 includes rail fares, hotels, breakfasts, and one lunch, but does not cover flights to Rome or most meals.
  • Most accommodation is listed as standard 3-4 star; final hotel depends on availability at each destination.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Arrive in Rome

    Private transfer from the airport to a centrally located hotel, followed by an evening small-group night tour by car of Rome's famous piazzas, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Vittoriano and the Pantheon, concluding with a panoramic view from Gianicolo Hill.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    A free day in the Eternal City

    Free day to revisit yesterday's sights, tour the Colosseum, or independently pre-book a Vatican City visit.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Como

    Lake Como

    All-day rail journey from Rome to Lake Como via Milan; transfer to a Como hotel with the rest of the day at leisure.

  4. Day 4overnight: Como

    At Leisure Lakeside

    Public boat tour of Lake Como, then free time to explore Como's Cathedral, museums, the Brunate funicular, or lakeside towns such as Lenno, Cernobbio and Bellagio.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Venice

    To Venice by Train

    Train from Lake Como to Venice via Milan, Verona and Vicenza; private transfer to the hotel with the rest of the day free, plus optional private walking tour or a half-day excursion to Murano and Burano.

  6. Day 6overnight: Venice

    Walking Tour of Venice

    Small group walking tour from St. Mark's Square taking in the Procuratie, Bell Tower, St. Mark's Basilica, and Doge Palace, crossing the Bridge of Sighs to the prisons; free time to continue exploring independently.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    High-speed train from Venice to Florence, then a private three-hour walking tour taking in the Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery, or an optional private cooking class at MaMa Florence.

  8. Day 8overnight: Florence

    Chianti Tour with Wine Tasting

    Full-day small group tour to Greve in Chianti, a farmhouse wine tasting with cured meats, cheese and pasta lunch, then Montefioralle and the Badia a Passignano abbey.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Sorrento

    Naples, Pompeii & Sorrento

    Train to Naples, then a private driver along the coast to Sorrento, stopping en route for a guided tour of the ruins of Pompeii.

  10. Day 10overnight: Sorrento

    Sorrento at Leisure

    Free day in Sorrento to explore its marinas, museums, cathedral and bell tower, with optional tours to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, the Lemon Trail to Il Pizzo Estate, or a cooking class at Nonna Flora.

  11. Day 11overnight: Sorrento

    Capri

    Fast boat from Sorrento to Capri, then a minibus island tour starting in Anacapri, with free time and options including Villa San Michele or the Monte Solaro chairlift.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Rome

    To Rome by Train

    Private driver to Naples, then a high-speed train to Rome, with the rest of the day free; optional private walking tour of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

  13. Day 13

    Tour Conclusion

    Private car transfer from the hotel to Rome's international airport, concluding the tour.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Evening small-group night tour of Rome's piazzas, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and a panoramic view from Gianicolo Hill.
  • Day 4Public boat tour of Lake Como followed by free time to explore the cathedral, funicular to Brunate, and lakeside towns.
  • Day 6Small-group walking tour of Venice from St. Mark's Square through the Bell Tower, Basilica, and Doge Palace, crossing the Bridge of Sighs.
  • Day 8Full-day small-group tour to Greve in Chianti with farmhouse wine tasting, cured meats, cheese, and pasta lunch at Badia a Passignano abbey.
  • Day 9Guided tour of Pompeii's ruins en route by private driver from Naples to Sorrento along the coast.

Included

  • 12 nights hotel accommodation
  • Rail travel throughout your tour
  • 13 meals including 12 breakfasts and 1 lunch

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The price covers all rail travel throughout the tour on the Italian rail network, including high-speed trains where applicable.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent rail vacation. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary, with optional small-group guided activities such as city walking tours and the Chianti wine tour. Vacations By Rail provides 24/7 phone support.
What is included in the price?
12 nights of hotel accommodation, all rail travel, 12 breakfasts, and 1 lunch. Optional activities such as cooking classes, museum visits, and boat tours are priced separately.
Which trains are used?
The tour uses the Italian rail network, including regional and high-speed trains. Day 3 Rome to Como; Day 5 Como to Venice; Day 7 Venice to Florence on high-speed service; Day 9 Naples to Sorrento by private driver via Pompeii; Day 12 Naples to Rome high-speed train.
How much free time is there?
Several days are largely free, including Day 2 in Rome, Day 4 at Lake Como, Day 10 in Sorrento, and parts of Days 5, 7, and 12. Many other days include both guided tours and free time.
What is not included?
International flights to Rome are not included. Travel insurance is available but not included. Most meals beyond breakfasts and the single included lunch are not covered.

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