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Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday

Florence & Sorrento by Rail

London to Florence and Sorrento by train through Basel and Naples

Illustration of Florence & Sorrento by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's 10-day independent rail holiday takes you from London through the Alps to Italy's cultural and coastal jewels. You begin with an overnight in Basel, then travel south to Florence, where a full day allows you to explore Renaissance masterpieces at the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace, and Boboli Gardens. The journey continues southbound via the Circumvesuviana line, which winds around Mount Vesuvius to Sorrento, your base for four nights above the Bay of Naples. Free days there let you relax, walk the coast, or visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii on your own. You return northward through Naples and historic Turin, then speed back to London via Paris. All standard-class rail journeys are included, along with nine nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast and comprehensive travel documentation. This trip suits independent explorers, couples seeking a leisurely pace, and history enthusiasts drawn to Renaissance Florence and the Bay of Naples.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar'; your final choice depends on the accommodation tier and city you select.
  • The Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento (day 4) is payable locally and not included in the from-price.
  • High season prices (April-October) are GBP 1799; low season (November-March) starts at GBP 1599. Single supplements apply for sole occupancy.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    London to Basel

    Board a Eurostar at London St Pancras through Kent, under the Channel and across northern France to Paris, then a 10-minute transfer to the Gare de l'Est for a high-speed TGV to Strasbourg, connecting to a regional service to Basel, just over the Swiss border.

  2. Day 2overnight: Florence

    Basel to Florence

    Take a Swiss service from Basel down to Bellinzona in Italian-speaking Ticino, then into Italy via Milan to Florence, disembarking at Santa Maria Novella station for a 2-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Florence

    Florence

    A full day exploring the Tuscan capital, home to masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture including the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, with views over Brunelleschi's iconic dome.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Sorrento

    Florence to Sorrento

    A morning train south to Naples, changing onto the Circumvesuviana line (payable locally) around Mount Vesuvius to Sorrento, for a 4-night stay. Relax with a coffee or limoncello on the Piazza Tasso, or a passaggiata along the coast.

  5. Day 5overnight: Sorrento

    Sorrento

    Boasting a picture-perfect location above the Bay of Naples, Sorrento was an essential stop on the Grand Tour and offers charm, coastal walks and easy access to the Amalfi Coast and nearby Pompeii (optional add-on).

  6. Day 6overnight: Sorrento

    Sorrento

    Free day in Sorrento to explore the town or venture along the Amalfi Coast.

  7. Day 7overnight: Sorrento

    Sorrento

    Further free time in Sorrento at leisure.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Naples

    Sorrento to Naples

    Leave Sorrento at your own leisure, catching the privately-run regional train up the coast back to Naples for an overnight stay. Naples dates back to the 2nd millennium BC and is said to be the birthplace of pizza.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Turin

    Naples to Turin

    Return to the station and catch a train northwards up the spine of Italy to Turin for an overnight stay. Turin is an historic city with great museums and a proud food culture.

  10. Day 10rail

    Turin to London

    Board a TGV service bound for Paris, arriving at the Gare de Lyon, then take the RER to the Gare du Nord for the return Eurostar to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A Swiss train carries you from Basel down through Italian-speaking Ticino and into Tuscany, arriving at Florence's Santa Maria Novella station.
  • Day 3A full day in Florence exploring the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, and views over Brunelleschi's dome.
  • Day 4The Circumvesuviana regional line (payable locally) winds around Mount Vesuvius to Sorrento for a four-night stay above the Bay of Naples.
  • Day 9A northbound train carries you up the spine of Italy from Naples to Turin, an historic city with museums and a proud food culture.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 9 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes, Tailor Made Rail includes all rail journeys in standard class with seat reservations from London through Basel, Florence, Sorrento, Naples and Turin, and the return to London via Paris. The Circumvesuviana regional line from Naples to Sorrento is payable locally.
What trains do I travel on?
You travel by Eurostar from London to Paris, TGV high-speed trains from Paris to Basel and from Turin back to Paris, Swiss regional services from Basel to Florence via Milan, and Italian trains between Florence, Naples and Turin. The local Circumvesuviana line circles Mount Vesuvius.
What accommodation is included?
Nine nights in handpicked hotels with breakfast: one night in Basel (Hotel Gaia or similar), two nights in Florence (Hotel Berchielli or similar), four nights in Sorrento (Hotel Antiche Mura or similar), one night in Naples (San Pietro Hotel or similar), and one night in Turin (Starhotels Majestic or similar).
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
This is an independent rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides easy-to-follow travel documentation and proactive rerouting if strikes or disruptions occur, but you travel at your own pace.
How many free days are there?
Day 3 is a full day in Florence. Days 6 and 7 are free in Sorrento to explore the town or venture along the Amalfi Coast at leisure. Pompeii and Herculaneum are available as paid optional extras.
When does this trip run?
The trip runs year-round with two price tiers: low season (November-March) from GBP 1599 and high season (April-October) from GBP 1799 per person.

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