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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

The Best of Italy, Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast

13-day independent rail trip: Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Rome, Sorrento

Illustration of The Best of Italy, Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast

Railbookers operates this 13-day, 12-night independent rail vacation through Italy, starting in Venice and traveling by Trenitalia to Florence, Cinque Terre, Rome, and finally Sorrento. Small-group tours are built in at each stop, from the Doges Palace and Golden Basilica in Venice to the Uffizi and Accademia galleries in Florence. A scenic train through La Spezia leads to three nights in a private apartment in Cinque Terre, with a wine tasting, a sunset cruise from Manarola, and a free day for hiking the coastal path or riding the local train between the five villages. In Rome, a guided tour covers the Colosseum and Roman Forum. From Sorrento, day trips run along the Amalfi Coast to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, and to Pompeii and a hike up Mt Vesuvius. Because it is mostly self-guided, with small-group tours mixed in, travelers set their own pace between the pre-booked trains, hotels, and excursions. It suits travelers who want a long, varied look at Italy's coast and cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel list is a set of 29 accommodation options across cities and price tiers rather than one fixed itinerary, so the specific hotel booked in each city depends on the tier and dates chosen.
  • The trip's highlights and short description mention Capri as part of the Amalfi Coast experience, but the day-by-day itinerary lists Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello for the Amalfi Coast day trip, with no Capri visit; confirm with Railbookers whether Capri is included.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Venice

    Your Journey Begins in Venice

    Check-in at your hotel for a two-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Small group tour to the Doges Palace and Golden Basilica, followed by a guided walking tour through the quieter lanes and alleys of Venice.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Florence

    Venice to Florence

    Train to Florence, checking in for a three-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Walking tour visiting the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's David.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Cinque Terre

    Florence to Cinque Terre

    Train along the coast to La Spezia, then a scenic regional train to Manarola, checking into your own apartment. Cinque Terre card provided. Afternoon wine tasting in an ancient wine cellar.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Cinque Terre

    Cinque Terre

    Free day - hike the coastal path, ride the local train to visit the five villages, or relax. Evening sunset cruise from Manarola.

  7. Day 7overnight: Cinque Terre

    Cinque Terre

    Full day at leisure; optional vineyard tour available.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Rome

    Cinque Terre to Rome

    Local train to La Spezia, then continue to Rome for a two-night stay. Explore the Barberini Museum, Pantheon, or Piazza Navona.

  9. Day 9overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Guided tour of the Colosseum and a guided stroll around the Roman Forum. Optional visits to the Trevi Fountain or Spanish Steps.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Sorrento

    Rome to Sorrento

    Train from Rome to Naples, then a private driver takes you along the coast to your hotel in Sorrento for a three-night stay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Sorrento

    Day Trip to Amalfi Coast

    Air-conditioned mini-coach along the coastal roads, visiting Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.

  12. Day 12overnight: Sorrento

    Day Trip to Pompeii & Mt Vesuvius

    Skip-the-line access to Pompeii's archaeological site and a hike up to the rim of Mt Vesuvius.

  13. Day 13

    Your Journey Ends in Sorrento

    Private transfer from your Sorrento hotel to Naples Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small group tour to the Doges Palace and Golden Basilica, followed by a guided walk through Venice's quieter lanes and alleys.
  • Day 5A scenic regional train from La Spezia to Manarola in Cinque Terre, checking into a private apartment, followed by an afternoon wine tasting in an ancient wine cellar.
  • Day 9A guided tour of the Colosseum and a guided stroll around the Roman Forum.
  • Day 11A day trip by air-conditioned mini-coach along the Amalfi Coast, visiting Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.
  • Day 12A day trip with skip-the-line access to Pompeii's archaeological site and a hike up to the rim of Mt Vesuvius.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodations with breakfast in Venice
  • 2 nights hotel accommodations with breakfast in Florence
  • 3 nights in a private apartment in Cinque Terre
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Sorrento
  • Small group city tour of Venice with the Doges Palace and St Mark's Basilica
  • Small group city tour of Florence with the Accademia and Uffizi galleries
  • Meet and Greet service in Cinque Terre
  • 3-Day Cinque Terre Card
  • Small group wine-tasting activity in Manarola
  • Sunset Cruise from Manarola
  • Small-group tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome
  • Small-group tour of the Amalfi Coast: Positano, Amalfi and Ravello
  • Small-group tour of Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius
  • Private transfer from Naples station to Sorrento
  • Private transfer from Sorrento to Naples Airport

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, Trenitalia rail travel is included as per the itinerary, connecting Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre (via La Spezia and Manarola), Rome, and on to Naples before a private transfer to Sorrento.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is mostly an independent, self-guided rail vacation, with small-group tours included at each stop, such as the Doges Palace tour in Venice and the Colosseum and Roman Forum tour in Rome.
Which places does the trip visit?
Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Rome, and Sorrento, with a day trip along the Amalfi Coast to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, and a day trip to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius.
Where do travelers stay in Cinque Terre?
The evidence lists 3 nights in a private apartment in Cinque Terre rather than a hotel, with a 3-Day Cinque Terre Card and a meet-and-greet service included.
How much walking or hiking is involved?
The itinerary includes an optional hike along the Cinque Terre coastal path, a hike up to the rim of Mt Vesuvius, and walking tours of Venice, Florence, and the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
How long is the trip and what does it cost?
13 days and 12 nights, priced from $3,019 per person, about $232 a day.

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