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Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday

Grand Tour of Italy

22-day independent rail tour from Stuttgart to Zurich through Italy

Illustration of Grand Tour of Italy

Tailor Made Rail's Grand Tour of Italy is a 22-day independent rail journey starting in Stuttgart and ending in Zurich, threading through nine destinations across Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. The trip moves at a relaxed pace, with most cities receiving two to four nights of stay, allowing time to wander and absorb each place. Travellers depart London via Eurostar and TGV across northern Europe, then enter Italy through the Tyrol, visiting Venice for two nights, Rome for three, the Amalfi Coast village of Vietri sul Mare for two, and the Sicilian city of Catania for four nights, where an optional Mount Etna tour is available. The route then swings through Naples and Florence before ascending to Lake Como and finishing with a scenic Gotthard Pass crossing to Zurich. All Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations, 21 nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast, and comprehensive travel documentation are included. This tour suits repeat rail travellers and independent explorers who want landmark cities and leisure days woven together without a guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • All hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning your final accommodation depends on availability and the tier you select
  • The from-price covers the package; rail fares are booked separately and may incur supplements during peak periods

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Stuttgart

    London to Stuttgart

    Eurostar to Paris, then a direct TGV service across the German border to Stuttgart.

  2. Day 2overnight: Bolzano

    Stuttgart to Bolzano

    An ICE service to Munich, then on into the Austrian and Italian Tyrol to bi-lingual Bolzano, just over the Italian border.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Bolzano to Venice

    Through the Tyrol along the Brenner Pass, via Verona, crossing the lagoon into Venice, then Vaporetto down the Grand Canal to a 2-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    A full day exploring St Mark's Square, the Accademia art collection, or a boat ride to Murano or Burano.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Rome

    Venice to Rome

    A train of just under 4 hours to Rome, arriving in the afternoon for a 3-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain.

  7. Day 7overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Visit the Vatican City including St Peter's Cathedral and the Sistine Chapel.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Vietri sul Mare

    Rome to Vietri sul Mare

    A direct train of less than 2 hours to Salerno, then a short taxi ride to Vietri sul Mare at the eastern end of the Amalfi Coast, for a 2-night stay.

  9. Day 9overnight: Vietri sul Mare

    Vietri sul Mare

    Explore the Amalfi Coast at leisure, with visits to Positano and Amalfi.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Catania

    Amalfi Coast to Sicily

    A mid-morning train down the western coast of Italy to the Straits of Messina, where the train runs onto a boat to cross to Sicily, connecting onward to Catania for a 4-night stay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Catania

    Catania, Sicily

    Explore the historic port city of Catania, including its cathedral and the Castello Ursino museum.

  12. Day 12overnight: Catania

    Catania, Sicily

    Optional tour to Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe, with jeep safaris and trekking available.

  13. Day 13overnight: Catania

    Catania, Sicily

    Further time at leisure in Catania.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Naples

    Catania to Naples

    A direct train from Catania to Naples, arriving in the afternoon, for an overnight stay on a quiet hilltop overlooking Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.

  15. Day 15railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    A short train journey from Naples to Florence, the capital of Tuscany, for a 3-night stay.

  16. Day 16overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic centre, the cathedral and the Boboli Gardens.

  17. Day 17overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Optional day trip to Pisa and the Cinque Terre, a collection of pastel-coloured villages on the Ligurian coastline.

  18. Day 18overnight: Como

    Lake Como

    Travel from Florence to Lake Como via an easy platform change in Milan, checking in on the waterfront for a 3-night stay.

  19. Day 19overnight: Como

    Lake Como

    Explore the town of Como, or take a boat to Cernobbio and its millionaires' villas.

  20. Day 20overnight: Como

    Lake Como

    Visit smaller resorts such as Moltrasio or Faggeto Lario for an authentic Lake Como experience.

  21. Day 21overnight: Zurich

    Lake Como to Zurich

    A scenic journey through the Gotthard Pass, high in the Alps, to Zurich for the final night.

  22. Day 22rail

    Zurich to London

    A high-speed train from Zurich to Paris, then transfer to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The train winds through the Tyrol via the Brenner Pass and Verona, then crosses the lagoon into Venice
  • Day 4A full day in Venice to explore St Mark's Square and the Accademia art collection, or take a boat to Murano or Burano
  • Day 10The train carries a boat crossing to Sicily across the Straits of Messina, connecting onward to Catania
  • Day 21A scenic journey through the Gotthard Pass high in the Alps from Lake Como to Zurich

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 21 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations is included, plus a train-ferry crossing to Sicily. Additional rail supplements may apply at peak times.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is an independent rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides tickets, hotel bookings, and travel directions, but there is no tour guide. You explore each destination at your own pace.
What trains are used?
The itinerary includes Eurostar (London to Paris), TGV (Paris to Stuttgart), ICE services, regional trains throughout Italy, and a train-ferry crossing at the Straits of Messina to reach Sicily.
How many nights do you stay in each city?
Nights vary: Stuttgart 1, Bolzano 1, Venice 2, Rome 3, Vietri sul Mare 2, Catania 4, Naples 1, Florence 3, Como 3, Zurich 1.
What is included in the price?
Standard Class rail with reservations, 21 nights in handpicked hotels with breakfast, comprehensive directions, travel documentation, and email or postal ticket delivery.
When does this tour run?
Tailor Made Rail offers low-season pricing November through March (from GBP 2,899) and high-season pricing April through October (from GBP 3,399).

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