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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Tuscany in Detail

London to Paris via Alps and Tuscany on nine named trains

Illustration of Tuscany in Detail

Tailor Made Rail's 11-day self-guided holiday combines one of Europe's most celebrated Alpine train routes with an unhurried exploration of Tuscany. Starting from London, the journey crosses to Brussels and onward through Germany and Austria, then climbs the Brenner Pass into Italy, a passage known for sweeping mountain views. Florence welcomes you for three nights with time to visit the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and Boboli Gardens. From there, regional Tuscan trains deliver you to Siena and its historic medieval lanes, then to Lucca, where Renaissance walls encircle the town. A daylight journey through Pisa and north to Turin closes the Italian chapter before the TGV and Eurostar carry you back to London. Accommodation ranges from the Mondial am Dom in Cologne to the Berchielli in Florence and Hotel Ilaria in Lucca, each with breakfast included. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking the security of a fully booked package with documentation, as well as repeat rail travellers drawn to the depth of time in each place.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Siena to Lucca train (Day 6) is payable locally and not included in the package price
  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar,' so final accommodation may vary by availability and the tier selected
  • First-class rail upgrades are available at extra cost (from £150 per person), but some Italian regional services have no first-class option

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne (Mondial am Dom MGallery or similar)

    London to Cologne

    Eurostar to Brussels Midi, connecting onto a train to Cologne, arriving in the evening.

  2. Day 2overnight: Innsbruck (AC Hotel Innsbruck or similar)

    Cologne to Innsbruck

    Onward journey via Munich, with the scenery becoming increasingly mountainous on the approach to the Tyrolean capital.

  3. Day 3overnight: Florence (Berchielli Hotel or similar)

    Florence via the Brenner Pass

    One of Europe's most scenic journeys, crossing the Alps through Austria's Tyrol and over the Brenner Pass into Italy, with a platform change in Bologna, arriving in Florence in time for dinner.

  4. Day 4overnight: Florence (Berchielli Hotel or similar)

    Florence

    A day at leisure - the Duomo, the Boboli Gardens, the Uffizi, and the Galleria dell'Accademia (Michelangelo's David) are highlights.

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence (Berchielli Hotel or similar)

    Florence

    Second day at leisure in the Tuscan capital.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Siena (Athena Hotel or similar)

    Siena

    A short ride on a local Tuscan train (payable locally) to one of Tuscany's most iconic cities.

  7. Day 7overnight: Siena (Athena Hotel or similar)

    Siena

    Discover the historic architecture, museums, art and cuisine of Siena, with optional wine-tasting tours or a visit to San Gimignano.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lucca (Hotel Ilaria or similar)

    Lucca

    A scenic Tuscan train ride to the hilltop town of Lucca in western Tuscany, famous for its almost complete Renaissance-era city walls.

  9. Day 9overnight: Lucca (Hotel Ilaria or similar)

    Lucca

    Walk or cycle the historic city walls for sweeping views over the town.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Turin (Starhotels Majestic or similar)

    Lucca to Turin via Pisa

    A regional train to Pisa, with the option to leave bags in station lockers and explore the Leaning Tower before continuing to Turin.

  11. Day 11rail

    Turin to London

    High-speed TGV from Porta Susa to Paris, transferring to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: The Brenner Pass crossing from Innsbruck to Florence with a platform change in Bologna, one of Europe's most scenic Alpine journeys
  • Day 4Day 4: Three nights in Florence to explore the Duomo, Boboli Gardens, Uffizi Gallery, and Michelangelo's David at the Accademia
  • Day 6Day 6: A local Tuscan train to Siena, followed by a day exploring the city's museums, historic architecture, and cuisine
  • Day 9Day 9: Walking or cycling Lucca's Renaissance-era city walls for views over the town after day-trippers depart
  • Day 10Day 10: A regional train to Pisa with time to visit the Leaning Tower before continuing south to Turin

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 10 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes, all rail journeys are included in standard class with seat reservations where required. The Siena to Lucca local train on Day 6 is payable separately at the station.
Is this trip escorted or self-guided?
This is a self-guided rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides easy-to-follow travel documentation and email ticket despatch, with proactive rerouting support if strikes or disruptions occur.
What trains are used?
The journey uses Eurostar (London-Brussels, Paris-London), regional trains via Munich and the Brenner Pass, local Tuscan trains, a high-speed TGV from Pisa to Turin, and regional connections between Tuscan cities.
What is included in the price?
All rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, 10 nights in handpicked hotels with breakfast, travel documentation, and email ticket despatch.
How many days are spent in each city?
Florence has 3 nights (Days 3-5), Siena 2 nights (Days 6-7), Lucca 2 nights (Days 8-9), with single nights in Cologne, Innsbruck, and Turin.
What optional activities are available?
Wine-tasting tours and a San Gimignano day trip from Siena, skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery tickets, and an extra night in Turin. First-class rail upgrades are also available.

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