Search

Railbookers · Luxury train vacation

La Dolce Vita Orient Express - From Sicily to Rome with the Gems of Italy

Naples to Venice tour on Orient Express via Sicily, Rome and Florence

Illustration of La Dolce Vita Orient Express - From Sicily to Rome with the Gems of Italy

Railbookers runs this 12-day, 11-night luxury train vacation from Naples to Venice, using two nights aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Deluxe class to link southern and northern Italy. The trip opens with a night in Naples, then a full-day train to Palermo for a two-night stay built around a guided cooking class in traditional Sicilian dishes. From Palermo, travelers board the Orient Express, dining in the carriage restaurant as the train reaches Taormina for a guided tour of its ancient Greek theatre with Mount Etna in view, then stops in Maratea before returning to Rome for a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. The trip continues by train to Florence, with visits to the Uffizi and Accademia galleries and a sunset gondola ride on the Arno, then ends in Venice with a guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels for Rome, Florence and Venice are each chosen from several listed accommodation options (for example, the Kolbe Hotel Rome or InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace in Rome, and Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli and Gran Canal or Hotel Metropole Venice in Venice), so the exact hotel in each city depends on availability.
  • The evidence does not list specific current departure dates for this itinerary; confirm live availability and pricing directly with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Overnight in Naples

    Your Journey Begins in Naples

    Welcome to Naples! Make your way to your hotel and check-in for an overnight stay. rest of day is yours at leisure perfect opportunity to stroll through city and visit some of key spots!

  2. Day 2railovernight: Overnight in Palermo

    Naples to Palermo

    Today, embark on a full-day train journey from Naples to Palermo, crossing scenic views of Gulf of Naples and Sicily. Take in views and enjoy ride along way. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a two-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Overnight in Palermo

    Palermo

    Following breakfast, make your way to your included guided cooking class where you will learn to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes using local ingredients under guidance of expert chefs. This is best way to immerse yourself in new culinary experiences at hands of a local and take home skills you can implement into your cooking! In afternoon, discover Palermo's storied past with visits to key historical sites and bustling markets, immersing yourself in local culture and history.

  4. Day 4rail

    Overnight Onboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express

    As you board La Dolce Vita Orient Express, settle into your luxurious cabin, and prepare for an evening of refined Italian cuisine in dining car, complemented by views of Sicilian landscape as sun sets. (Overnight onboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express) L,

  5. Day 5rail

    Overnight Onboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express

    Arrive in Taormina, a town famed for its spectacular views and ancient Greek theatre. Take a guided tour of theatre, enjoy some leisure time wandering through chic boutiques and cafes, and absorb panoramic vistas of Mount Etna and crystal-blue Ionian Sea. (Overnight onboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express) B,L,

  6. Day 6rail

    Rome

    Begin your day with a delightful breakfast, followed by a leisurely morning as you admire picturesque Italian countryside from train. Soon, you will reach Maratea where you stop off and visit Christ and enjoy an aperitif! Take opportunity to wander through town, immerse yourself in surrounding natural beauty, and indulge in a typical lunch. Then, it is time to rejoin train for your final journey back to Rome, where enchantment of your Italian adventure continues. On arrival, make your way to your hotel and check in for a two-night stay. (Overnight in Rome) B,

  7. Day 7overnight: Overnight in Rome

    Rome

    After breakfast, make your way over to Colosseum for a guided tour of famous amphitheater, then walk in footsteps of ancient Romans once more with a guided stroll around Roman Forum. These amazing ruins were for centuries center of day-to-day life in Rome.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Overnight in Florence

    Rome to Florence

    After breakfast, make your way to Rome Termini station and board a direct high-speed train to Florence, city of Renaissance Art! Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel and check-in for a two-night stay. rest of afternoon is yours at leisure, why not take a stroll over to Ponte Vecchio bridge and visit boutique jewelry stores, followed by a visit to Pitti Palace. In evening, enjoy an included sunset gondola ride along river Arno, perfect way to end first night in city of art.

  9. Day 9overnight: Overnight in Florence

    Florence

    After breakfast, make your way to your walking tour and visit world-famous Uffizi and Accademia galleries. Uffizi Gallery is one of most renowned art museums n world. Inside, you will encounter a stunning collection of Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Titian. Accademia Gallery, is home to one of most iconic sculptures in world, Michelangelo's David. Absorb all Florence has to offer as you walk cobbled streets and admire cathedrals.

  10. Day 10overnight: Overnight in Venice

    Florence to Venice

    Board Trenitalia to magical Venice. On arrival at Santa Lucia station, you will quickly realize just how wonderful this corner of world is. Settle in at your hotel then step out and start discovering sprawling canals and local charms on your own.

  11. Day 11overnight: Overnight in Venice

    Venice

    This morning, make your way to St Mark's Square for start of your small group tour to Doges Palace, and mesmerizing Golden Basilica. Following this, it is a guided walking tour through quieter lanes and alleys, where you will see some architectural gems and historical buildings that are often overlooked by crowds.

  12. Day 12rail

    Your Journey Ends in Venice

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you would like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Palermo cooking class learning to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes
  • Day 5Guided tour of Taormina's ancient Greek theatre with views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea
  • Day 6A stop in Maratea to see the Christ statue and enjoy an aperitif before rejoining the train to Rome
  • Day 9Florence walking tour of the Uffizi and Accademia galleries
  • Day 11Venice guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 1-night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Naples
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Palermo
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Florence
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Venice
  • 2 nights of all-inclusive accommodation onboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Deluxe class including: All table meals of innovative Italian cuisine on board All selected beverages during the whole journey Breakfasts and afternoon tea service in your cabin All excursions mentioned in the programs All meals and offered beverages during the excursions 24-hour onboard service and entertainment Palermo Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Pass Palermo Cooking Class and Food Market Tour Small-group walking tour of Rome with the Roman Forum and Colosseum Private Sunset Florence Boat Ride Small-group walking tour of Florence with the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery Small-group walking tour of Venice with the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Private Transfer from Naples Airport to Naples Hotel Private Transfer from Palermo Hotel to Palermo Station Private Transfer from Rome Station to Rome Hotel Private Transfer from Venice Hotel to Venice Airport

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, plus 2 nights of all-inclusive accommodation onboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Deluxe class.
What is the route?
Naples to Venice via Palermo, Taormina, Maratea, Rome and Florence.
Which trains are used?
Trenitalia, Eurostar and La Dolce Vita Orient Express, with 2 nights onboard in Deluxe class.
What's included in Palermo?
A guided cooking class and food market tour, plus a Hop-on, Hop-off sightseeing pass.
How much does this trip cost?
Railbookers prices this trip from $18,799 per person for the 12-day, 11-night package.

Similar journeys