DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: London to Paris & sleeper train to Venice

You begin your rail touring holiday to Venice, Florence and Rome by travelling out on an afternoon Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Following a change of station in Paris, continue by Thello sleeper train overnight to Venice. We recommend the two bed sleeper compartments on the Thello train. There is a washbasin in the compartments and shared toilets in each carriage.

Day 2: Arrive in Venice

The sleeper train arrives at Venice Santa Lucia station at about 09.30 hrs, and there you are met and transferred by private water taxi to your hotel. If you would like us to arrange an early check-in, we can do so for you, but there is usually a charge for it if you want it to be guaranteed. Spend the rest of the day starting your exploration of Venice.

Days 3 & 4: Venice

You have two full days in Venice. More than a city, Venice “La Serenissima” is an enchantress. Take the time to discover her winding streets, canals, quiet squares and lively waterfronts. To make the most of your time in Venice, it’s worth dividing the city into areas or themes. The obvious place to start is at St Mark’s Square, best appreciated whilst sipping a Venetian coffee at Florian’s. St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Campanile can all be visited. The magnificent churches of Venice are worth seeking out: Santa Maria della Salute, Santi Giovanni e Paolo, and Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (with works by Titian), Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the Gesuiti.

The Jewish quarter can be found just off the Strada Nova to the north of the city and gives you a rare insight into the history of the Jewish community in Venice. There is a clutch of art galleries to be enjoyed including the Ca’ Pesaro, the Ca’ d’Oro, the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Scuola di San Rocco and for modern art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The streets of Venice also contain a treasure trove of tiny artisan shops selling glassware, masks, lace and silk and shoes. To absorb the magic of Venice from the water, treat yourself to a ride in a gondola.

Across the lagoon and reached by vaporetto are the islands of Burano, home to lace-making and fishermen, and Murano where master craftsmen offer demonstrations of glass-making before you enter their shops.

Day 5: Venice to Florence

A private water taxi will take you to Venice Santa Lucia station for your train to Florence. We will discuss timings with you as the journey is only about two hours. Once in Florence at Santa Maria Novella station, a private car will transfer you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring Florence and trying the local cuisine.

Days 6 & 7: Florence

You have two full days to explore Florence, the ancient capital of the Medicis and home to a wealth of Renaissance treasures. A visit to see Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia is high on the list of things to do in Florence, along with the majestic architecture of the Duomo and the beautiful work of the silversmiths that line the Ponte Vecchio.

In addition to the obvious attractions of the Accademia and the Uffizi (a must for the Botticellis), visit the Bargello and the Chapel of the Magi in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi to marvel at the fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli. As well as the Duomo, there are many other, smaller churches of architectural and artistic significance including San Marco, with some fine works by Fra Angelico, Orsanmichele, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce and San Lorenzo.

On the ‘other’ side of the Arno are the Boboli gardens, well worth a stroll, where you’ll find shady paths and tea shops. Florence is home to numerous artisan workshops and handcrafted leather, jewellery and paper goods are available throughout the city. For a panoramic view of the city, its rooftops and the valley of the River Arno, take a bus or taxi to Fiesole, perched on the hill above the city. If you have special interests in Florence, then let us arrange a private guide for you or let us book you seats at the opera or a concert.

Day 8: Florence to Rome

We will discuss timings with you as the journey from Florence to Rome is only about two hours. A private car will take you from your hotel to the station in Florence, and meet you at Rome Termini station to take you to your centrally located hotel in Rome.

Days 9 & 10: Rome

Rome is the capital city of Italy and, as the centre of the Roman Empire, it is widely regarded as the birthplace of western civilization. The city has a unique atmosphere due to its huge wealth of sites to see, dating back not just from the Roman era, but from medieval and Renaissance periods as well. You could spend a lifetime visiting all the historical and architectural sites the city has to offer.

Most visitors come to Rome to see the foundations of the Roman Empire in the form of the Colosseum, the Forum and the Circus Maximus, to name but a few. However, visitors nearly always allow time for a visit to the Vatican Museum and the Basilica of Saint Peter, even if they choose not to visit any other non-Roman historical sites!

The variety of places to visit in Rome can be overwhelming and it is best to plan in advance what you wish to see within the time you have and stick to it, rather than planning whilst you are there.

The historic centre is perfectly manageable on foot as it is quite compact, although there is an underground system too. Other places worth including in your itinerary of Rome are the Campo de’Fiori food market, the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona, home to Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. Afternoon tea is worth taking in the Caffe delle Arti inside the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna, with a shady terrace in fine weather.

Day 11: Rome to Milan & sleeper train to Paris

You have the majority of your last day at leisure in Rome before the private car collects you to take you to the train station for the train to Milan. Perhaps allow time to break the journey for dinner in Milan, before you board the sleeper that leaves Milan at about 23.00 hrs for Paris.

Day 12: Paris to London by train

You arrive into Paris Lyon at about 09.30 hrs and, after changing stations, you then take the Eurostar back to London where you arrive at lunchtime.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. This price includes second class rail travel, with supplement for first class of about £620 per person.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information, including full directions and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your trip.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.