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Planet Rail · Tailor-made escorted tour

Italian Grand Tour – Grand Tour of Italy by First Class Rail & Air

Ten-day Italian cities tour from London via Venice, Florence, Rome by rail and air

Illustration of Italian Grand Tour – Grand Tour of Italy by First Class Rail & Air

Planet Rail's Italian Grand Tour is a 10-day escorted holiday that traces the classic European itinerary through Venice, Florence, and Rome. You depart London Heathrow on British Airways, arriving in Venice where a private water taxi carries you across the Venetian lagoon to your 4-star hotel on the Grand Canal. Over three days you explore St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, hidden canals, and the surrounding islands. From Venice you travel south on First Class Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa trains, spending three nights in Florence to wander the Renaissance streets, visit the Uffizi Gallery and Duomo, and sample Tuscan cuisine. A second rail journey brings you to Rome for three final nights among classical ruins, Vatican treasures, and Baroque fountains. Throughout the tour, 4-star accommodation and First Class rail travel set the comfort level. The pace is relaxed, with ample time each day for self-directed discovery. This itinerary suits couples and history enthusiasts who value organised logistics and urban exploration over wilderness or activity.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most meals are not included; only breakfast on the final day is specified in the itinerary.
  • The price from 1495 GBP (approximately 1997 USD) does not include transfers to London Heathrow on the outbound flight, nor the journey to Rome Fiumicino airport on departure; you arrange these yourself.
  • Gondola rides in Venice are payable locally, not included.
  • Day trips to Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Murano, and Burano are optional extras; the core itinerary leaves days 5 and 6 in Florence and day 9 in Rome unstructured for self-directed exploration.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Venice – Hotel Canal Grande

    By air to Venice

    Fly with British Airways from London Heathrow to Venice Marco Polo airport. On arrival, travel in style across the lagoon by private water taxi through the Venetian backwaters and onto the Grand Canal to the Hotel Canal Grande (4-star), ideally located on the Grand Canal just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge. Time to explore Venice before dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice – Hotel Canal Grande

    Venice

    Embrace the magic of Venice. Wander amid the mosaic of intertwined canals and bridges. Visit St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and explore hidden waterways and the Grand Canal by traditional gondola (payable locally). Optionally journey to the islands of Murano and Burano, famous for glass blowing, lace and coloured houses.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice – Hotel Canal Grande

    Venice

    Continue to explore Venice at leisure. Wander past Byzantine basilicas and painted palazzi or discover more of the UNESCO World Heritage Venetian lagoon.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence – Hotel Glance

    Venice to Florence

    Savour your final morning in Venice before travelling to Venezia Santa Lucia station for your First Class journey south on board the Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa service to Florence. On arrival at Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, stroll to the stylish Glance Hotel (4-star), close to the station.

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence – Hotel Glance

    Florence

    Explore Florence, the epicentre of the Italian Renaissance, on foot. Visit the celebrated Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery and the iconic Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy traditional Florentine and Tuscan culinary delights.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Florence – Hotel Glance

    Florence

    Further exploration of Florence and the surrounding Tuscany region. Easily accessible by train: Siena's UNESCO world heritage medieval centre, Pisa's famous leaning tower and Lucca's Renaissance-era city walls.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Rome – Boutique Hotel Liberty

    Florence to Rome

    Depart from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station and join the Eurostar Italia service to Rome. Relax in your comfortable first class seat as the landscape of central Italy unfurls. Arrive into Roma Termini station and walk to the Boutique Hotel Liberty (4-star).

  8. Day 8overnight: Rome – Boutique Hotel Liberty

    Discovering Rome

    Explore the Eternal City: the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican City, the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's painted ceiling. Enjoy the view from the top of St. Peter's Cathedral across Rome's seven hills cityscape.

  9. Day 9overnight: Rome – Boutique Hotel Liberty

    Discovering Rome

    Continue to discover Rome's architectural wonders from classical ruins, Renaissance palazzi and Baroque fountains to quirky shops on the Via del Corso, lively bars and rustic trattorias.

  10. Day 10

    Rome to London by air – Homeward bound

    After breakfast, time to further discover Rome. Make your own way to Rome's Fiumicino airport and board your British Airways flight back to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive in Venice by private water taxi across the lagoon through Venetian backwaters to the Grand Canal, approaching Hotel Canal Grande near the Rialto Bridge.
  • Day 2Explore St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and hidden waterways by traditional gondola; optionally visit the glass-blowing island of Murano or lace-making Burano.
  • Day 4Travel south from Venice on the Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa in First Class, arriving in Florence to explore the Renaissance epicentre.
  • Day 5Visit Florence's Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio; enjoy traditional Florentine and Tuscan cuisine.
  • Day 7Depart Florence on the Eurostar Italia in First Class for Rome, watching central Italy's landscape unfold from your seat.

Included

  • British Airways return flights London Heathrow to Venice
  • British Airways return flights Rome Fiumicino to London Heathrow
  • Private water taxi from Venice Marco Polo airport to hotel
  • First Class rail travel Venice to Florence (Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa)
  • First Class rail travel Florence to Rome (Eurostar Italia)
  • 9 nights 4-star hotel accommodation (3 nights each in Venice, Florence and Rome)

Not included

  • Gondola ride in Venice (payable locally)
  • Meals (unless specified)
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Transfers to/from London Heathrow (outbound)
  • Own way transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport on departure day

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class rail on Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa from Venice to Florence and Eurostar Italia from Florence to Rome. British Airways flights to Venice and from Rome are also included.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
It is an escorted tour managed by Planet Rail. Hotels, flights, rail, and the private water taxi on arrival are pre-arranged; you are guided through the cities but have free time each day to explore at your own pace.
How many nights do I spend in each city?
Three nights each in Venice, Florence, and Rome at 4-star hotels: Hotel Canal Grande, Hotel Glance, and Boutique Hotel Liberty.
What meals are included?
Only breakfast on the final day (Day 10) is specified as included. Lunch and dinner are not included for most days; Planet Rail recommends exploring local trattorias and restaurants.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail shows departures available throughout the year at the stated price of 1495 GBP per person.
How much walking is involved?
Each city involves strolling on foot to landmarks and through streets. Venice includes walking across bridges and alongside canals. No strenuous hiking is described.

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