Great Rail Journeys
Tuscany: Florence, San Gimignano & Pisa
10 daysfrom $3,337
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Iconic Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome
Join Great Rail Journeys on a Grand Tour of Italy. Visit Rome, Venice and the beautiful Tuscan city of Florence and enjoy our many included excursions
Day by day
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
