Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Ultimate Italy

Experience the best of Italy on this 13-day rail journey, from Zurich through Milan, Florence, and the Tuscan countryside to the stunning Cinque Terre and historic Rome.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Zurich
Zurich
This morning, you will board the Eurostar from London to Zurich via Paris. Upon arrival in Zurich, complete your check-in at the hotel where you will spend the night. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace, with a leisurely stroll through Zurich's Old Town (Altstadt).
Day 2railovernight: Milan
Milan
Depart Zurich this morning and board your train for a scenic rail journey to Milan, crossing through the breathtaking Swiss Alps and into the heart of northern Italy. Arriving in Milan, you'll have the rest of the day to start exploring this vibrant city, known for its high fashion, historic landmarks, and rich culture.
Day 3overnight: Milan
Milan
Head to Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) with skip-the-line access. From the cathedral, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Your self-guided tour finishes at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan's world-famous opera house. Spend the rest of the day making full use of your included 24-hour CitySightseeing hop-on-hop-off bus pass, visiting the iconic Castello Sforzesco.
Day 4railovernight: Florence
Florence
This morning, board the high-speed Frecciarossa train from Milan to Florence, a journey of just under two hours. Arriving in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, spend the rest of your day exploring at your own pace, including the historic Piazza del Duomo, the striking Florence Cathedral, and the Ponte Vecchio.
Day 5overnight: Florence
Florence
After breakfast, embark on a small group guided tour of the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, skipping the long lines to explore its incredible collection of Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. Following the tour, enjoy some free time at the gallery or a leisurely afternoon in Florence.
Day 6overnight: Florence
Florence
Your day begins with a guided group tour of Siena, including entrance to its Cathedral. Next, head to a traditional Tuscan farm near San Gimignano for a typical Tuscan lunch paired with local wines. After lunch, wander through the medieval town of San Gimignano, then visit Pisa to admire the Cathedral, Baptistery, and the Leaning Tower, before returning to Florence.
Day 7railovernight: Manarola
Manarola
Today, your journey continues as you board a high-speed train from Florence to La Spezia, followed by a short onward rail connection to Manarola, one of the most enchanting villages in the Cinque Terre region. Upon arrival, check into your private apartment, which includes a 3-Day Cinque Terre Treno MS Card granting unlimited travel on the trains connecting the five villages and entrance to the Cinque Terre National Park.
Day 8railovernight: Manarola
Manarola
Enjoy two full days at leisure in Manarola, the perfect base for discovering the beauty of the Cinque Terre. With your Cinque Terre Treno MS Card, explore the region at your own pace, whether relaxing in the village or taking the train to visit Riomaggiore, Vernazza, or Monterosso al Mare, and following the scenic Via dell'Amore coastal path.
Day 9railovernight: Manarola
Manarola
Enjoy your second full day at leisure in Manarola. With your Cinque Terre Treno MS Card, continue to explore the region at your own pace, whether relaxing in the village or taking the train to visit the other Cinque Terre villages and coastal paths.
Day 10railovernight: Rome
Rome
After enjoying the serene beauty of Cinque Terre, it's time to travel south to Rome. Your journey begins with a scenic rail journey from Manarola to La Spezia, where you'll catch a fast train heading straight to Rome. Your first evening in Rome is free to start soaking in the atmosphere, perhaps admiring the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, or the Trevi Fountain illuminated at night.
Day 11overnight: Rome
Rome
Today, experience the grandeur of Rome's Colosseum with an exclusive tour of the Arena, entering through the same doors used by gladiators centuries ago. Following your Colosseum tour, you'll visit Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, two must-see landmarks that complement the experience.
Day 12overnight: Rome
Rome
Today, embark on a semi-private tour (maximum 15 people) of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Explore the Vatican Museums' impressive art collection, culminating in the Sistine Chapel, before visiting St. Peter's Basilica to admire Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's Baldachin.
Day 13rail
Return home
Check out of your hotel today and head to the airport for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, if you'd like to extend your stay to explore more of Italy by rail, speak to your travel designer.

Included

Overnight hotel accommodation in Zurich with breakfast included
2 nights' hotel accommodation in Milan with breakfast included
3 nights' hotel accommodation in Florence with breakfast included
3 nights' hotel accommodation in Manarola with breakfast included
3 nights' hotel accommodation in Rome with breakfast included
Flights to and from the UK (or a roundtrip train journey from London St. Pancras with extra night in Milan/Turin)
Milan Tour with skip-the-line entrance to the Cathedral and La Scala Theatre
Small group Uffizi Gallery guided tour with skip-the-line ticket
A Special Day in Tuscany: full day tour to Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa with optional lunch and wine tasting
Guided tour to Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Colosseum with Gladiators' Arena
Semi-private tour of Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica