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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Iconic Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome

Ten-day Italy rail tour from London through Rome, Florence, Venice to France

Illustration of Iconic Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome

Great Rail Journeys' famous Italy tour is a 10-day escorted journey from London through France and Italy, ending in Chambéry. The tour departs London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus, crosses to Paris, then travels by First Class rail through the Alps into northern Italy. From there, the itinerary covers Rome, Florence, and Venice, with stops in Tuscan towns including San Gimignano, Pisa, and Lucca. Each major city includes guided tours: Rome's Colosseum and Roman Forum, Florence's Renaissance landmarks, and Venice's St Mark's Basilica and Bridge of Sighs. Days combine group-led exploration with free afternoons for independent wandering. The package stays in 4-star hotels throughout, with daily breakfast and six included dinners. A dedicated Tour Manager accompanies the group from departure to arrival. This tour suits first-time rail travellers seeking the comfort of Eurostar and First Class travel, history lovers drawn to Rome and Florence, and couples wanting a balance of organised experiences and personal time in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 1,200 (USD 1,600), significantly more than half the double room price; confirm final costs before booking
  • Maximum group size is 30 people; this is a larger escorted tour rather than a small-group experience
  • Three of nine dinners are included; most other meals (lunches on free days) are at your own cost

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin in northern Italy

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar for the journey to Paris. Travelling in Eurostar Plus class, a light meal is served at your seat. In Paris, change trains and continue by First Class rail to Turin. As the afternoon journey into northern Italy progresses, encounter snow-capped alpine peaks before arriving in Turin. After checking in, dine at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Rome

    A morning in Turin and onwards to Rome

    With a morning free in Turin there's time to explore the city's Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture, wide boulevards and grand public squares lined with cafés and bars. This afternoon travel by rail to Rome. After checking in, dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    Exploring the 'Eternal City' of Rome

    Discover Rome's iconic landmarks on a guided tour starting at the Colosseum, passing the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia and the Roman Pantheon. Stop for a refreshment at Giolitti, the city's oldest gelateria. The tour ends in Piazza Navona with free time for the rest of the day. Nearby attractions include the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pincian Hill, Villa Borghese park, Borghese Gallery, and the Vatican City.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence

    By rail to Florence and a guided tour

    Travel by rail to Florence, the Renaissance capital of the world. After checking in to the central four-star hotel, time to relax or find lunch independently. This afternoon a local guide leads a tour taking in the Duomo, Giotto's campanile, Santa Maria Novella Church, the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Repubblica. Free time after the tour. Dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence

    A day trip to San Gimignano

    Coach excursion south through classic Tuscan scenery to the walled medieval UNESCO World Heritage town of San Gimignano. A local guide leads a walk through its atmospheric streets. Free time over lunch to sample local specialities including cured Golden Ham, pecorino cheese and white wine. Return to Florence in the late afternoon with an evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Florence

    Touring Pisa and at leisure in Lucca

    Travel by rail through rural Tuscany to Pisa, where a guided tour visits the Field of Miracles to see the iconic Leaning Tower and the Romanesque Duomo in gleaming white marble. Continue by train to Lucca, a beautiful walled city with a striking Duomo, unique churches, spacious piazzas including Piazza Anfiteatro, a botanical garden, art galleries and the Baroque garden of Palazzo Pfanner. Return to Florence by rail in the early evening; dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Murano, Venice

    Welcome to Venice

    After a leisurely breakfast, board the train to Venice. On arrival in the early afternoon, travel by private boat directly to the waterfront of the four-star hotel on the island of Murano for three nights. Luggage is transferred from Florence directly to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore independently before dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Murano, Venice

    Discovering Venice

    After a short boat ride, explore Venice on a guided walking tour. See the church where Vivaldi was baptised, the Bridge of Sighs, and St Mark's Square with St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. Free afternoon and evening to explore independently, options include the Byzantine interior of the basilica, San Giorgio Maggiore, the Peggy Guggenheim Gallery, cicchetti in Dorsoduro, or a gondola ride. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Chambéry

    By rail to France

    After breakfast, take a boat to Venice station and travel by rail across northern Italy to Milan, then change trains to Turin. From Turin, travel by First Class rail to France, arriving in Chambéry for an overnight stay near the station. Final group dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    Leave Chambéry after breakfast and travel by First Class rail to Paris. Change trains to join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, enjoying a light meal at your seat. Arrive in London this evening where the holiday ends.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus, cross the Channel with a light meal served at your seat, then continue by First Class rail to Turin as the route climbs into snow-capped alpine peaks
  • Day 3Guided tour of Rome starts at the Colosseum and Roman Forum, passing the Pantheon and ending in Piazza Navona; stop at Giolitti, the city's oldest gelateria
  • Day 5Coach excursion through Tuscan countryside to the walled medieval UNESCO World Heritage town of San Gimignano with time to sample local cured ham, pecorino cheese, and white wine
  • Day 8Guided walking tour of Venice explores the Bridge of Sighs, St Mark's Square, and St Mark's Basilica; afternoon free to choose between the Byzantine interior, gondola rides, or cicchetti bars in Dorsoduro

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel
  • First Class rail travel (France legs)
  • All rail, boat and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 6 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Rome to Venice
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes all rail travel: Eurostar Plus from London to Paris, First Class TGV from Paris to Turin and return, and Italian regional and high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Trenitalia) throughout Italy.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager for the full duration, and the itinerary includes guided walking tours in Rome, Florence, and Venice, plus a guided coach day trip to San Gimignano.
What is the accommodation standard?
All hotels are 4-star: Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo in Rome (2 nights), Hotel Indigo in Florence (3 nights), and Hyatt Centric Murano Venice on the island of Murano (3 nights).
Which meals are included?
Daily breakfast, 6 dinners at hotels or local restaurants, and light meals served on Eurostar (outbound and return). Most lunches are independent, though the San Gimignano day trip gives free time to sample local food.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates six departures: September 2026, April, May, June, September, and October 2027.
How much walking is involved?
Expect guided walking tours of 2-3 hours in Rome, Florence, and Venice, plus city exploration on free afternoons. Most days include stairs and uneven streets typical of European city centres.

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