Authentic Europe
The Fantastic Italian trio: Rome, Florence & Venice
Partly guided 7-day rail trip through Rome, Florence and Venice
7 daysfrom $1,425
30% rail
Explore Worldwide · Escorted tour
Venice to Rome by Rail + Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Spend two weeks exploring Italy in depth by train and on foot. Visit Italy's iconic cities and walk Amalfi's Walk of the Gods.
Day by day
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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)
