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Explore Worldwide · Escorted tour

Venice to Rome by Rail + Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Italy by rail: Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast

Illustration of Venice to Rome by Rail + Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Explore Worldwide's 14-day escorted tour travels through Italy by rail, beginning in Venice and ending in Sorrento via Rome. The journey combines high-speed trains connecting famous cities (Bologna, Florence, Pisa, Rome) with hiking, guided archaeological tours, and coastal exploration. Days follow a rhythm of city orientation walks, specialist guided tours of major sites, and substantial free time to explore independently. You will hike Mount Vesuvius to its crater rim, walk the Path of the Lemons through the Amalfi Coast landscape, and join a pasta-making demonstration in Bologna. The tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking guided comfort in Italy's heartland, history enthusiasts keen on Roman sites and Pompeii, and food-and-wine explorers drawn to vineyard tastings, market visits, and regional cooking. A tour leader accompanies the group throughout, arranging transport, conducting walks, and introducing local guides for specialist tours.

What to know before you look closer

  • All accommodation is marked 'or similar', so your final hotels depend on the tier and city you select.
  • Most lunches and dinners are not included; the package covers only 13 breakfasts, one lunch (vineyard lunch on Day 9), and one dinner (pasta-making dinner in Bologna on Day 3).
  • Entrance fees to Pisa's Leaning Tower (approximately £20 per person) and Bologna's Asinelli Tower (approximately £5 per person) are not included. Vatican, Uffizi, and Galleria Borghese tickets must be pre-booked separately.
  • Single supplements are substantial at £1,240 per person when the double price starts at £3,999.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Venice

    Join trip in the fabulous island city of Venice

    Arrive in Venice at any time. Welcome meeting at the hotel at 6pm. Optional dinner afterwards. Shared taxi transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) included. Hotel is a 5-minute walk from the drop-off at Piazzale Roma. Venice access QR code registration required in advance.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Venice walking tour including bird's-eye view from Scala Contarini del Bovolo

    Orientation walking tour through Cannaregio, across the Rialto Bridge to Saint Mark's Square, Bridge of Sighs and Doge's Palace. Vaporetto water bus to Scala Contarini del Bovolo for panoramic views. Vaporetto day pass included. Free afternoon to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Bologna

    Train to Bologna; orientation walk, pasta making demonstration

    High-speed train to Bologna. Orientation walk with tour leader. Free time to explore including optional Asinelli Tower visit. Included pasta-making demonstration in the afternoon followed by dinner and wine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence

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

    Morning visit to the Quadrilatero medieval food market area. Train to Florence (approx 30 mins). Orientation walk: San Lorenzo market, Central Market, Duomo and Baptistry (outside), Signoria Square, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Museum exterior, Ponte Vecchio. Free time from mid-afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Florence

    Visit to Pisa; see the incredible Leaning Tower

    Local train to Pisa (approx 1 hour). Orientation tour of Campo dei Miracoli including the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, Duomo and Camposanta. Free time in Pisa then return to Florence at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Rome

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

    High-speed train to Rome. Check in at hotel then specialist guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Free time from late afternoon. Vatican visit recommended (pre-book tickets).

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Rome

    Free day to explore Rome and Vatican City

    Full free day in Rome. Vatican visit highly recommended (pre-book tickets; closed Sundays except last Sunday of month). At 6pm, welcome meeting with new tour leader for onward journey to Naples, Amalfi and Sorrento.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Rome

    Further free day in Rome

    Free day in Rome. Suggested visits: Pantheon, Galleria Borghese (pre-book), Testaccio Market for street food.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9railovernight: Pompeii

    Train to Afragola; Mount Vesuvius hike; Vineyard lunch and wine tasting; Overnight in Pompeii

    Fast train south to Afragola, then bus to Mount Vesuvius. Hike from car park (1,000m) to crater rim (1,120m) – approx 1 hour round trip. Drive to vineyard for wine tasting and included leisurely lunch. Continue to Pompeii for overnight.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  10. Day 10overnight: Maiori

    Visit Pompeii archaeological site; drive to Maiori via the gardens and villas of charming Ravello

    Early start for guided walking tour of Pompeii archaeological site. Afternoon drive to Amalfi Coast via Ravello. Check in at hotel in Maiori, which has the largest beach on the Amalfi Coast.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Maiori

    Hike the Path of the Lemons to Minori. Ferry to Amalfi and option to visit Positano

    Morning hike along Sentiero Dei Limoni (2.5km, approx 1 hour) through lemon groves to Minori. Ferry from Minori to Amalfi. Free afternoon to explore Amalfi, beach, or optional trip to Positano by bus or ferry.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12overnight: Sorrento

    Drive along the spectacular Amalfi Coast road to Sorrento

    Drive along the Amalfi Coast road to Sorrento. Visit to a local lemon grove with tasting of limoncello and lemon products. Free time to explore Sorrento's historic centre.

    Meals: Breakfast

  13. Day 13overnight: Sorrento

    Free day in Sorrento with option to visit the island of Capri

    Free day on the Sorrento Peninsula. Optional hydrofoil ferry to Capri (approx 20 mins each way). Suggested activities: Anacapri, Villa San Michele, Villa Jovis, Blue Grotto boat trip.

    Meals: Breakfast

  14. Day 14

    Trip ends in Sorrento

    Trip ends after breakfast. Free to depart at any time. Luggage storage available at hotel. Complimentary transfer to Naples Airport (NAP) included – approx 1 hour drive.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Vaporetto water bus ride to Scala Contarini del Bovolo for panoramic views across Venice's canals.
  • Day 3Pasta-making demonstration in Bologna followed by dinner and wine.
  • Day 9Hike from the car park to Mount Vesuvius crater rim at 1,120 metres, approximately 1 hour round trip, with leisurely vineyard lunch and wine tasting.
  • Day 10Guided walking tour of Pompeii archaeological site in the early morning.
  • Day 11Hike along Sentiero Dei Limoni through lemon groves from Maiori to Minori, then ferry to Amalfi.

Included

  • 13 nights accommodation in comfortable hotels
  • 13 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch (vineyard lunch on Day 9)
  • 1 dinner (pasta-making dinner in Bologna on Day 3)
  • Pasta-making demonstration in Bologna
  • Vaporetto day pass in Venice
  • Specialist guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome
  • Guided walking tour of Pompeii archaeological site
  • Guided orientation walks in Venice, Bologna, Florence, Pisa and Rome
  • Lemon grove visit and tasting in Sorrento
  • Wine tasting at vineyard near Vesuvius
  • Explore Tour Leader throughout
  • Shared taxi airport transfer on Day 1 (Venice Marco Polo Airport)
  • Complimentary airport transfer on Day 14 (Naples Airport)
  • All rail travel between cities as per itinerary
  • Ferry from Minori to Amalfi

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Entrance to Leaning Tower of Pisa (approx €20 pp)
  • Entrance to Asinelli Tower Bologna (approx €5 pp)
  • Uffizi Gallery tickets Florence
  • Vatican Museum / Sistine Chapel tickets Rome
  • Galleria Borghese tickets Rome
  • Gondola rides in Venice
  • Optional trip to Capri
  • Most lunches and dinners
  • Personal spending money
  • Gratuities (recommended €25–35 pp per week)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All rail travel between cities is included: high-speed trains from Venice to Bologna, Bologna to Florence, and Florence to Rome; a local train to Pisa and return; a fast train from Rome to Afragola; and a ferry from Minori to Amalfi.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Explore Worldwide provides a tour leader throughout the 14 days. The leader conducts orientation walks and specialist guided tours in each city.
Which meals are included?
13 breakfasts, one lunch at a vineyard near Mount Vesuvius on Day 9, and one dinner (pasta-making demonstration followed by dinner and wine) in Bologna on Day 3. Most other meals are at your own cost.
What hotels will I stay in?
Hotels include Villa Rosa in Venice (2 nights), Zanhotel Regina in Bologna (1 night), Hotel Palazzo Ognissanti in Florence (2 nights), The Cross Hotel in Rome (3 nights), Hotel Del Sole in Pompeii (1 night), Hotel San Pietro in Maiori (2 nights), and Hotel Nice in Sorrento (2 nights). All are listed as 'or similar'.
How much walking is involved?
Expect guided orientation walks through Venice, Bologna, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. A hike up Mount Vesuvius takes approximately 1 hour round trip from the car park. The Path of the Lemons hike is 2.5 kilometres and takes approximately 1 hour through lemon groves.
When does the tour run?
Departures run in September and October 2026, and March to July and September to October 2027.

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