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Rail Tours (rail-tours.co.uk) · Train Tour

Top to Toe of Italy

Escorted 16-day rail journey from Turin through Italy to Sicily

Illustration of Top to Toe of Italy

Rail Tours operates a 16-day escorted rail tour of Italy from Turin to Catania, combining city-based stays with rail journeys and guided excursions. The itinerary opens with Eurostar from London to Paris, then trains into Italy. Days are spent exploring six major cities: the floating streets of Venice, Renaissance Florence, imperial Rome, and the sun-soaked coastal towns of Sorrento and Taormina in Sicily. From each base city, Rail Tours organizes guided tours of major landmarks and day excursions to nearby highlights. Day 15 features a journey on the Circumetnea Railway circling Mount Etna. Two free days in Rome (days 8 and 9) allow independent exploration. The tour concludes with a flight from Catania back to the UK. This itinerary suits escorted travellers and history enthusiasts who want guided access to Italy's Renaissance art, ancient Roman sites, and coastal landscapes without arranging transport or logistics independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of 3,545 GBP covers the package; confirm whether Eurostar and other train fares are included or booked separately
  • Days 8 and 9 in Rome are free, unguided days; no organized activities are listed for these dates
  • Hotel standards and star ratings are not specified in the operator's published details; confirm your accommodation tier before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin

    Meeting at our exclusive departure office at London St Pancras International Station we travel from by Eurostar to Paris, before changing trains to Turin for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Turin to Venice

    We enjoy a morning at leisure in stylish Turin before we travel on to the floating city of Venice.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    We take a guided tour of magnificent Venice today, starting in St Mark's Square.

  4. Day 4overnight: Florence

    To Florence

    We leave on Day 4, travelling to Florence, a Renaissance centre-point where we enjoy a guided tour.

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence

    Siena

    Our excursion takes us to the Tuscan city of Siena where we have a sightseeing tour.

  6. Day 6overnight: Florence

    Pisa and Lucca

    We travel to Pisa today where we see the iconic leaning tower. We also pay a visit to Lucca, a classic Italian town.

  7. Day 7overnight: Rome

    To Rome

    We leave Florence and continue down through Italy, stopping in the eternal city of Rome. We take a tour of this wonderful place in the afternoon.

  8. Day 8overnight: Rome

    Free day in Rome

    The following two days are free to explore Rome.

  9. Day 9overnight: Rome

    Free day in Rome

    Free day to explore Rome.

  10. Day 10overnight: Sorrento

    To Sorrento

    We travel down through the south to Naples today, before continuing onto beautiful Sorrento. On arrival, we embark on an orientation tour.

  11. Day 11overnight: Sorrento

    Amalfi Coast

    Our excursion today takes us along the glorious Amalfi Coast Road, stopping off at enchanting villages along the way.

  12. Day 12overnight: Sorrento

    Pompeii

    Our Italian odyssey takes us to the ash-laden town of Pompeii today for a sightseeing tour.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Taormina

    To Taormina

    We embark on a scenic railway journey from Salerno, making the most of the Italian Coast.

  14. Day 14overnight: Taormina

    Taormina

    We take a guided tour of the ancient Roman town of Taormina.

  15. Day 15railovernight: Taormina

    Mount Etna and Circumetnea Railway

    We discover the stunning Mount Etna today, the famous volcano. We discover it from the carriages of the Circumetnea Railway.

  16. Day 16

    Farewell

    We leave Italy, boarding our flight at Catania Airport and arriving back into the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Paris, then travel onward by train to Turin
  • Day 3Guided tour of Venice begins in St Mark's Square
  • Day 4Guided tour of Florence, a Renaissance centre
  • Day 15Journey on the Circumetnea Railway around Mount Etna, the famous volcano

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip escorted or independent?
Escorted. Rail Tours includes guided tours in Venice, Florence, Rome, Taormina, and Pompeii, plus orientation tours on arrival in Sorrento. Days 8 and 9 in Rome are free to explore on your own.
Which trains are included?
The itinerary includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, trains from Paris to Turin, travel between major Italian cities, a scenic railway from Salerno on day 13, and the Circumetnea Railway around Mount Etna on day 15. Confirm with Rail Tours whether train fares are included in the headline price.
How many nights do we spend in each location?
Turin 1 night, Venice 2 nights, Florence 3 nights, Rome 3 nights, Sorrento 3 nights, Taormina 3 nights.
What excursions are included?
Guided tours of Venice, Florence, Rome, and Taormina. Day excursions from base cities include Siena, Pisa and Lucca (from Florence), the Amalfi Coast (from Sorrento), Pompeii (from Sorrento), and Mount Etna via the Circumetnea Railway (from Taormina).
How much walking is involved?
Expect city walking on guided tours in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Taormina, plus walks through village stops on the Amalfi Coast excursion and Pompeii sightseeing tour. Not described as a high-activity itinerary.
When does this tour operate?
Rail Tours does not publish scheduled departures in their listing. Contact the operator to confirm available dates.

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