Venice to Rome by Rail

Join trip in the fabulous island city of Venice

Our tour starts today in Venice, 'The Floating City'. The bucket-list city is built across 118 islands linked by bridges and canals in the shallow Venetian lagoon. Tour leader meets everyone at the hotel at 6pm for a welcome meeting; optional dinner afterwards. Airport transfer by shared taxi from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) takes around 45 minutes. No other activities planned; free to arrive at any time.

Venice walking tour including bird's-eye view from San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower

Orientation walking tour through the backstreets of Cannaregio, across the Rialto Bridge into Saint Mark's Square, seeing the Bridge of Sighs and Doge's Palace. Vaporetto water bus to San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower for a bird's-eye view. Vaporetto day pass provided. Free time to explore independently afterwards.

Meals: Breakfast

Train to Bologna; orientation walk, pasta making demonstration

High-speed train to Bologna, capital of Emilia Romagna. Orientation walk with tour leader after dropping luggage at hotel. Free time to explore including optional Asinelli Tower visit. Late afternoon: included pasta-making demonstration (sfoglia all'uovo, tortelloni, garganelli, strichetti, tagliatelle) followed by dinner and a glass of wine.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Discover Bologna's food markets; train to Florence; walking tour around the city

Morning visit to the medieval Quadrilatero food market area. Short train journey (~30 minutes) to Florence. Orientation walk: San Lorenzo market, Central Market, San Lorenzo church, Cappelle Medicee, Duomo and Baptistry (outside), Signoria Square, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Museum exterior, Ponte Vecchio. Free time from mid-to-late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast

Visit to Pisa; see the incredible Leaning Tower

Around one hour by local train to Pisa. Orientation tour of Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Dreams) including the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, Duomo and Camposanta. Free time in Pisa then return to Florence at leisure. Recommended afternoon visit to Uffizi Gallery.

Meals: Breakfast

Fast train to Rome; guided visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

High-speed train to Rome. Drop luggage at hotel then specialist guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum (including Palatine Hill). Sightseeing finishes late afternoon; remainder of evening free. Optional Vatican Museum visit recommended (book in advance; not before 5pm if visiting on Day 6 Friday).

Meals: Breakfast

Trip ends in the Italian capital Rome

Trip ends after breakfast. No activities planned; free to depart at any time. Luggage storage available at hotel. Airport transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) available; approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour from city centre.

Meals: Breakfast