Great Rail Journeys
Lake Garda & Hidden Gems of Northern Italy
Ten-day escorted rail journey from London through northern Italy to Lake Garda
10 daysfrom $3,483
45% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Top to Toe of Italy
Escorted rail journey from London through Italy to Sicily in 16 days
Great Rail Journeys operates this 16-day escorted tour from London St Pancras to Catania, traveling the length of Italy by Eurostar Plus and First Class rail. You depart London on Day 1, arrive in Turin for an Italian dinner, then journey northward to Venice, where you tour the Basilica and Doge's Palace before moving south through Renaissance Florence and the Tuscan cities of Siena, Pisa, and Lucca. After three days in Rome exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Trevi Fountain, the tour heads to the Amalfi Coast, where you spend three nights in Sorrento, cruise to Amalfi and Positano, and tour the archaeological ruins of Pompeii. Day 13 brings a striking moment: your First Class train is shunted onto a ferry to cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily. In Giardini Naxos you ride the narrow-gauge Circumetnea Railway around Mount Etna's volcanic slopes, visit Taormina's Greek theatre, and taste local cannoli before flying home. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group throughout, and luggage transfers between hotels are handled by the operator, leaving you free to enjoy guided city tours, the Amalfi Coast cruise, and multiple free afternoons.
What to know before you look closer
- Single supplement is GBP 2000 (approximately 40% of the double-occupancy price), significantly above half the tour cost.
- Two departures (26 April and 6 September 2027) use the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice instead of Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort; final hotel depends on your chosen departure date.
- Optional excursions on Mount Etna (cable car or Jeep) are payable locally and not included in the package price.
- The from-price is GBP 4999 per person; flight from Catania to London Gatwick is included, but London hotels and UK rail connections are optional extras.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Turin
A first taste of Italy in Turin
Holiday begins at London St Pancras International. Meet the Tour Manager before joining the train to Paris, travelling in Eurostar Plus with a light meal served at seats. Change trains in Paris and continue by First Class rail to Turin. Coach transfer to hotel on arrival. Walk to a nearby restaurant for the first three-course dinner in Italy.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Venice (Lido)
Through northern Italy to Venice
Buffet breakfast and a free morning in Turin. Around midday, First Class train journey to Venice via Milan. Private boat transfer to the five-star hotel on the island of Lido. Dinner in the on-site restaurant. Note: For departures 26th April and 6th September, accommodation is at the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Venice (Lido)
Touring the 'Floating City' of Venice
Guided tour of Venice. Boat transfer to Cornoldi Pier. Tour of characterful backstreets, church where Vivaldi was born, Bridge of Sighs, St Mark's Square, St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. Free afternoon and evening to explore independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4railovernight: Florence
Arrival in Renaissance Florence
Private boat transfer to the railway station, then First Class rail to Florence. Check in to central four-star hotel. Guided tour of Florence including the Duomo, Giotto's campanile, Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio. Free time before dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: Florence
The traditional Tuscan city of Siena
Day trip by rail to medieval Siena. Guided tour from the Fortress of Santa Barbara, church of San Domenico, Baptistery, the Duomo, via di Città, Tolomei Square and Piazza del Campo. Free time at leisure before returning to Florence by rail. Free evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: Florence
Another side of Tuscany in Pisa and Lucca
Travel by rail to Pisa. Guided tour of the Field of Miracles including the Romanesque cathedral, circular Baptistry and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Afternoon rail journey to the walled city of Lucca with free time to explore. Return to Florence early evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7railovernight: Rome
From Florence to the Eternal City, Rome
Final free morning in Florence. Early afternoon First Class train to Rome. Check in to hotel. Free time to explore. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: Rome
Discovering La Dolce Vita in Rome
Guided tour of Rome including the exterior of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Roman Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. Free afternoon and evening to explore independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 9overnight: Rome
A free day in glorious Rome
Full free day in Rome. Suggested attractions include the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Villa Borghese park, Spanish Steps and Borghese Gallery. Free choice of lunch and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 10railovernight: Sorrento
To Sorrento, on the Amalfi Coast
First Class rail journey from Rome to Naples. Coach transfer to Sorrento, stopping en route at a local agriturismo for a lunch of fresh produce including homemade limoncello and mozzarella. Arrive Sorrento late afternoon. Check in for three nights. Short orientation tour of Sorrento. Free evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 11overnight: Sorrento
Cruising the Amalfi Coast
Coach transfer to Sorrento's port. Cruise on the Tyrrhenian Sea to Amalfi (free time to visit the cathedral) and then Positano (free time to explore). Return to Sorrento in the late afternoon. Free evening to relax and dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 12railovernight: Sorrento
Exploring the ancient streets of Pompeii
Coach transfer to the station, then local train to Pompeii for a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site including streets, shops, villas, baths, temples, restaurants, the oldest amphitheatre in the world, and extraordinary frescoes. Free time to continue exploring independently. Return to hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 13railovernight: Giardini Naxos
Travelling by rail to Sicily
Early breakfast. Transfer to Salerno for First Class train to Sicily along the Calabrian coast. At Villa San Giovanni, the train is shunted onto a ferry across the Strait of Messina. Continue by rail to Taormina, then coach to hotel in Giardini Naxos. Free evening with local restaurant options.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 14railovernight: Giardini Naxos
Exploring Mount Etna
Coach transfer to Rifugio di Sapienza on Mount Etna to view the Silvestri craters and volcanic landscape. Optional cable car or Jeep excursion (payable locally). Afternoon coach to Adrano to join the Circumetnea Railway to Randazzo for scenic views of lava fields around the base of the volcano. Free evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 15overnight: Giardini Naxos
Touring the ancient Greek city of Taormina
Coach to Taormina for a two-hour guided tour including the Greek theatre (dating from around the 3rd century BC) with views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. Tour concludes at a local pasticceria for a cannolo tasting. Option to spend the afternoon in Taormina independently. Three-course farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 16
Homeward bound
Final breakfast. Coach transfer to Catania airport for flight to London Gatwick.
Meals: Breakfast
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3Guided tour of Venice's backstreets and St Mark's Basilica, followed by free afternoon to explore the Floating City independently.
- Day 11Cruise on the Tyrrhenian Sea from Sorrento to Amalfi and Positano with free time to visit each village.
- Day 12Guided tour of Pompeii's UNESCO World Heritage site, including streets, shops, villas, baths, and frescoes preserved by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
- Day 13First Class train journey along the Calabrian coast; at Villa San Giovanni, the train is shunted onto a ferry across the Strait of Messina.
- Day 14Scenic ride on the narrow-gauge Circumetnea Railway from Adrano to Randazzo around the base of Mount Etna, viewing lava fields.
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 15 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus travel
- First Class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Flight from Catania to London Gatwick
- Eurostar light meals
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch
- 6 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between hotels from Venice to Taormina
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Rail Tours (rail-tours.co.uk)from $4,750
- Vacations By Railfrom $5,899
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in the price?
- Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus from London to Paris, First Class rail throughout Italy, a local train to Pompeii, the scenic Circumetnea Railway around Mount Etna, and the train-ferry crossing of the Strait of Messina.
- Is this an escorted or independent tour?
- It is escorted. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from start to finish. Most city tours are guided; some afternoons and evenings allow independent exploration.
- Which hotels are included?
- The five-star Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort (2 nights), four-star Hotel Cellai in Florence (4 nights), Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo in Rome (3 nights), Hilton Sorrento Palace (3 nights), and Hellenia Yachting Hotel in Giardini Naxos (3 nights). Note: two departures use Hyatt Centric Murano Venice instead.
- What meals are included?
- Breakfast daily, one farm-to-table lunch at an agriturismo on Day 10, and six three-course dinners. Most other lunches and dinners are at your choice.
- When does the tour run?
- Five departures are scheduled for April, May, June, September, and October 2027.
- What is not included?
- Travel insurance, London hotels, UK rail connections, door-to-door luggage service, optional cable car or Jeep on Mount Etna, and entry fees to the Basilica or Doge's Palace in Venice are not included.
