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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Railbookers Signature - Venice, Florence, and Rome

10-day independent rail trip through Venice, Florence, and Rome

Illustration of Railbookers Signature - Venice, Florence, and Rome

Railbookers operates this 10-day, 9-night independent rail vacation through Italy, starting in Venice and ending in Rome. A private boat carries travelers from the airport to their Venice hotel for a three-night stay that includes a gondola ride, a visit to a traditional gondola boatyard, and a private glass-blowing demonstration on the island of Murano. Trenitalia's First Class service then carries travelers to Florence for three nights, including a walking tour on the history of the Medici family, priority access to the Uffizi Museum, and a scooter tour through the vineyards of Chianti with a Tuscan lunch and wine tasting. The train continues to Rome for a final three nights, opening with breakfast inside the Vatican Museums and a private guided tour ending at the Sistine Chapel, followed by a night tour of the city in a vintage convertible car. As an independent trip built around private and small-group tours rather than a full-time guide, this suits travelers who want Italy's classic sights covered without a group schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers offers 18 accommodation options across the trip's cities and tiers, from the Cellai Boutique Hotel in Florence to the five-star Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, so the specific hotel depends on which tier and property you choose.
  • Day 9 in Rome is unguided free time; the itinerary names the Colosseum, a food tour of Trastevere, and the ancient Appian Way as things to do that day, but all three are listed separately as optional extras, not included in the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Venice

    Your Adventure Begins in Venice

    Once you have arrived at the airport you will be whisked to your hotel in your own private boat. Once checked in for your three-night stay head out to explore your surroundings.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Hear the stories of the narrow streets (calla) and small squares (campi) of Venice, then take to the water for a gondola ride. In the afternoon visit one of the city's few remaining 'squero' to discover the secrets of how these ancient boats have been made.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Embark on a private cruise to the island of Murano. Visit a small operating glass furnace and learn hands on the art of glass creation. In the evening take to the water once again aboard a vintage boat to enjoy the sunset from the lagoon.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence

    Venice to Florence

    Following breakfast at your hotel make your way to the station for your direct train to Florence. Once in Florence, make your way to your hotel for a three-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Explore the fascinating streets of Florence, learning the rich history of the Medici family on a locally led walking tour. The final stop is the famous Uffizi Museum (closed on Mondays) with priority access.

  6. Day 6overnight: Florence

    The Hills Of Tuscany

    Take to 2 wheels for a scooter ride through the Chianti region, led through rolling hills and vineyards. The tour ends at a vineyard with a Tuscan lunch paired with a tasting of Chianti wines and olive oil.

  7. Day 7overnight: Rome

    Florence to Rome

    Check out of your hotel and bid farewell to Florence, as you speed to Italy's capital – Rome. Once arrived head to your hotel for a three-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Rome

    Rome

    You will be met at your hotel early this morning and whisked to the Vatican museums (closed on Sundays) for breakfast within the grounds, followed by a private guided tour culminating in the Sistine Chapel. This evening enjoy a night tour of Rome in a vintage convertible.

  9. Day 9overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Today explore the Italian Capital at your own pace – the Colosseum, a food tour of Trastevere, or a trip along the ancient Appian Way.

  10. Day 10

    Your Journey Ends in Rome

    Your driver will meet you at your hotel and whisk you to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A gondola ride is paired with a visit to a squero, one of Venice's few remaining traditional gondola boatyards.
  • Day 3A private cruise to Murano includes a hands-on glass-blowing demonstration at a small operating glass furnace, followed by a sunset cruise on the lagoon aboard a vintage boat.
  • Day 5A locally led walking tour traces the history of the Medici family in Florence, ending with priority access to the Uffizi Museum.
  • Day 6A scooter tour through the rolling hills and vineyards of Chianti ends with a Tuscan lunch paired with Chianti wine and olive oil tasting.
  • Day 8Breakfast is served inside the grounds of the Vatican Museums, followed by a private guided tour culminating in the Sistine Chapel, then an evening tour of Rome in a vintage convertible car.

Included

  • First Class rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Venice
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Florence
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • Small group morning walking tour and gondola ride in Venice
  • Private visit to a Gondola Yard in Venice
  • Private Glass Blowing experience in Murano
  • Private Venetian Sunset Cruise
  • Small group Florence walking tour and Uffizi Gallery entrance
  • Small group Chianti Vespa Tour including lunch
  • Nighttime sightseeing drive in a Convertible vintage car in Rome
  • Private boat transfer from the airport to Hotel in Venice
  • Private car transfer from hotel to airport in Rome

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. First Class Trenitalia service covers Venice to Florence to Rome, including the direct train from Venice to Florence on day 4.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Railbookers lists it as an independent rail vacation with private and small-group tours included, such as the Venice gondola experience and the Vatican Museums tour.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 18 accommodation options; named examples include the Belmond Hotel Cipriani and Hotel Metropole Venice in Venice, and the Anglo American Hotel Florence and Cellai Boutique Hotel in Florence.
What is not included?
In Rome, optional extras such as a Colosseum tour, a food tour of Trastevere, and a trip along the ancient Appian Way are listed as add-ons for the free day 9, not part of the included package.
What does the trip include in each city?
In Venice, a gondola ride and gondola-yard visit, a private glass-blowing experience in Murano, and a private sunset cruise; in Florence, a Medici family walking tour, priority Uffizi Gallery access, and a Chianti Vespa tour with lunch; in Rome, a private Vatican Museums tour ending at the Sistine Chapel and a vintage convertible night tour.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $3,469 USD for the 10-day, 9-night trip.

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