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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour

Railways, Scenery and World War History in Italy

Nine-day escorted tour through Italy: Dolomites, Venice, and WWII sites by rail

Illustration of Railways, Scenery and World War History in Italy

The Railway Touring Company's nine-day escorted tour combines Northern and Southern Italy via train, coach, and high-speed rail. Starting in Verona, the first half explores the Dolomites by scenic funicular, Venice by regional train, and the WWI memorial at Monte Grappa. A First Class FS high-speed train carries you south along the Adriatic coast to Taranto, where a WWII historian guides your exploration of Operation Judgement and the city's wartime legacy. The tour ends with a day trip to Matera, the ancient hilltop stone city of Puglia. You stay in centrally located hotels in Verona for five nights and Taranto for three, with a Tour Manager accompanying you throughout. Daily breakfasts and four dinners are provided, as are all entry fees, rail fares, and private coach travel. This itinerary suits history enthusiasts, first-time rail travellers, and photographers drawn to the contrast between Alpine scenery and Mediterranean coastal towns.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed in the pack (February 2027); confirm availability before planning.
  • The ground-only price excludes UK rail or flight services and airport transfers, so the full cost depends on how you reach Verona.
  • The itinerary for Day 4 is cut short in the evidence pack; confirm the complete Dolomites day and Kaltern funicular details with the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Verona

    Arrive Verona

    Fly direct from London to Venice and transfer to Verona, where your holiday begins in a centrally located hotel. Enjoy some free time to explore this historic city, home to its iconic Roman Arena, older even than Rome's Colosseum. You then join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: Verona

    World War History at Verona's Fort Lugagnano

    After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Verona's Old Town and the banks of the River Adige. In the afternoon you visit the remarkably well preserved Fort Lugagnano on the western outskirts of the city, built by the Austrians in 1861, which played a role in both World Wars. Your visit is enhanced by volunteer re-enactors and displays of historic military equipment and vehicles.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Verona

    Venice - The Floating City

    Venice is just an hour from Verona by fast and frequent rail services. This morning, travel by train to the world-famous lagoon city, arriving at Venezia Santa Lucia station by mid-morning. Your excursion includes Venice admission and a Vaporetto travel pass. Enjoy time to explore Venice at your own pace, from St Mark's Square and the Rialto to the maze of alleyways and waterways. After a memorable day, return to Verona by direct train in the late afternoon.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Verona

    Mountain Magnificence and scenic railways in the Dolomites

    Today you explore the Italian Alps and the Dolomites on some of Italy's most scenic railway lines and panoramic funiculars. You travel by direct EuroCity train on the Brenner line via Trento and Bolzano, before continuing by private coach to Ortisei. Here you take the Raschötz funicular, one of Italy's longest and most scenic, offering sweeping views at the summit (2,122m). You continue by coach to Kaltern for a ride on the Mendelbahn, a scenic funicular through rolling hills and hilltop churches, before returning to Bolzano for a direct train back to Verona.

  5. Day 5overnight: Verona

    Monte Grappa WW1 Memorial

    You visit one of the most impressive WWI battlefield memorials in Europe, the 'Sacrario Militare' at the summit of Monte Grappa in the Veneto region, standing at 1776 m above sea level, built between 1932 and 1935. The site marks the location of intense fighting in 1917-18, when Monte Grappa served as a vital Italian stronghold, with events immortalised in Ernest Hemingway's 'A Farewell to Arms'. You reach the memorial on a scenic drive from Verona and return in the evening for a group dinner.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Taranto

    By high speed train to Taranto

    You travel in style by FS high speed train from northern to southern Italy, enjoying scenic views along the Adriatic coast, passing Rimini and Pescara, reaching Bari where there is an interchange to the next service to Taranto, on the 'heel' of the Italian peninsula. The beautiful port town of Taranto has castles, fortresses, broad seaside avenues and a delightful old town. You check in to your centrally located hotel and dine together in the hotel restaurant.

  7. Day 7overnight: Taranto

    World War II History in Taranto

    Today is entirely dedicated to exploring Taranto with a local guide and World War II historian, discovering the city's architecture alongside its wartime sites, monuments, and museums. Taranto is best known for the Royal Navy's 'Operation Judgement' from November 1940, when Fairey Swordfish aircraft launched from HMS Illustrious struck the Italian fleet. Enjoy a free evening to explore Taranto at your own pace.

  8. Day 8overnight: Taranto

    The stunning hilltop stone city of Matera

    Made famous to a global audience by the 2021 James Bond film 'No Time to Die', Matera is one of Italy's most extraordinary cities and a jewel of the Puglia region, renowned for its ancient cave dwellings. Enjoy a day trip by coach from Taranto, accompanied by your local guide and historian, with free time to explore Matera's old town, including filming locations from the Bond movie. Return to Taranto in the evening for a farewell dinner.

  9. Day 9

    Return to London

    This morning you transfer to Bari airport for the return flight from Bari back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Travel by regional train to Venice in one hour, arriving at Venezia Santa Lucia station with a Vaporetto pass to explore the lagoon city.
  • Day 4Day 4: Ride the EuroCity train on the Brenner line through Trento and Bolzano, then take the Raschötz funicular to the 2,122-meter summit in the Dolomites.
  • Day 6Day 6: Travel in First Class on the FS high-speed train from northern Italy southward along the Adriatic coast, passing Rimini and Pescara to reach Taranto.
  • Day 7Day 7: Explore Taranto with a WWII historian, learning about Operation Judgement, the 1940 Royal Navy strike on the Italian fleet.

Included

  • Return flights from London to Italy and transfers
  • 8 Nights accommodation in centrally located hotels in Verona and Taranto
  • Daily breakfast and 4 dinners
  • First Class rail travel in Italy, including high-speed train journeys (where possible)
  • Private coach travel and all excursions as detailed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees, local guides and sightseeing visits as detailed in the itinerary
  • Venice admission and Vaporetto pass
  • Scenic Dolomite funicular journeys on the Raschötzbahn and Mendelbahn
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The standard price includes First Class rail travel within Italy: EuroCity trains, scenic funiculars in the Dolomites (Raschötz and Mendelbahn), a regional train to Venice, and high-speed FS trains from northern to southern Italy. Return flights from London and transfers are also included in the standard price.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is escorted. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout. A local guide and WWII historian join in Taranto and Matera.
Which trains are used?
EuroCity on the Brenner line (Verona to Bolzano), regional trains to Venice, the Raschötz and Mendelbahn funiculars in the Dolomites, and FS high-speed trains from northern Italy via Rimini and Pescara to Taranto.
What is included in the price?
Return flights from London, eight nights in centrally located hotels (Verona and Taranto), daily breakfast and four dinners, First Class rail travel, private coach excursions, entrance fees, local guides, Venice admission and Vaporetto pass, and the Tour Manager's services.
When does this tour run?
One departure is listed: February 2027. Confirm current availability with the operator.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. The itinerary includes walking tours in Venice, Verona, Taranto, and Matera, plus visits to Fort Lugagnano and Monte Grappa. Funicular rides and coach transfers reduce walking between sites. No high-altitude hiking is mentioned.

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