8-Nights Italy by Rail from $4,799

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Benvenuto a Roma!

On arrival at the airport or rail station, you'll be met and chauffeured to your choice of hotel in the heart of the Eternal City. The rest of this day is yours to get settled and explore as you wish.

Day 2: Tailor Your Stay in Rome #WHS#

Rome offers a wealth of ancient and historic sites to explore. Today you'll have the opportunity to pursue your own personal interests and to tailor your stay in this captivating city. Just choose one of these included half-day tours; in the intimate company of never more than 8 travelers, your expert guide will bring the glories of Rome to life! Meals BColosseum + Roman Forum: You'll be picked up at your hotel in the afternoon and driven to the Colosseum to join your guide and an intimate group of other English-speaking travelers. Standing in the largest amphitheater of the Roman era, it's easy to imagine the roar of the 70,000 spectators who filled the stadium on opening day 2,000 years ago. Then explore the extensive ruins of the Roman Forum, the heart of the once-glorious Empire - a thriving district filled with temples, basilicas, government buildings and bustling public spaces. Ending at the Forum, this 3-hour tour is offered on Sun, Mon, Wed and Fri from April to Oct. Some Black out dates apply?. Vatican Museums with Skip-the-Line Access: Starting from your hotel, you'll be driven to the Vatican where your guide will lead your congenial group of 8 guests past the line and directly into the Museums, home to one of the world's greatest collections of art and antiquity. Ascend the beautiful Spiral Staircase and marvel at the Gallery of Tapestries. You'll also visit the fascinating Gallery of Geographical Maps and, of course, the Sistine Chapel with its mesmerizing fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo. Ending at the Museum, this 3-hour tour is offered on Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat from April to Oct. Black out dates may apply?. Fresh Pasta Making Class in Trastevere: Meet your small group in Trastevere and together start your hands-on pasta making class. Here you will learn how to turn simple and ancient ingredients into one of the most celebrated symbols of Italian heritage and hospitality. Following your chef's instructions, you will create two types of pasta and prepare the best sauces to accompany the dish, concluding in a well-earned lunch, where together you will feast on the fruits of your labor. This 2.5-hour tour is offered year-round, every day of the week Roman Highlights: You'll be picked up at your hotel this morning for a panoramic tour of the city. With only 8 guests, you'll have plenty of opportunity to engage with your guide as you travel through the Eternal City to see landmarks like the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, home to some of the city's most glorious churches. You'll also discover Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful Roman squares, and see the ancient Pantheon. At the Trevi Fountain, be sure to throw in a coin as countless others have done before you! Then ascend Gianicolo Hill for enchanting views of the city before returning to your hotel. This 3-hour tour is offered every day of the week from April to Oct.Rome by Night: Departing your hotel in the evening at about 7:00, this panoramic sightseeing tour reveals all the magic and romance of the Eternal City - with illuminated landmarks and streets abuzz with local residents. Traveling comfortably with a congenial group of 8 other travelers, you'll experience the nocturnal beauty of landmarks like the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Step off the coach at the Trevi Fountain where you can continue the tradition of throwing in a coin, before ascending Gianicolo Hill for enchanting views of Rome at night. Ending at your hotel, this 2.5-hour tour is offered every day of the week from April to Oct?.

Day 3: Free Day in the Eternal City

This day is at leisure to relax, enjoy and explore as you wish. The heart-of-it-all locations of our hotels make it easy to step out and experience Rome at your own pace. Meals B

Day 4: By First Class Rail through the Tuscan Countryside

We'll chauffeur you to the station today to board the high-speed Italo train. Sit back and enjoy reserved First-Class seats as you travel in comfort to Florence, the city of the Medici's and home of the Italian Renaissance. On arrival, you'll be met and escorted by private car to your choice of hotel, carefully selected for a warm welcome, air-conditioned comfort - and a terrific location close to the city's best known landmarks, shopping and dining. Meals B

Day 5: Pursue Your Own Passions in Florence #WHS#

The city's extraordinary legacy of art, architecture and culture has blessed Florence with a wealth of impressive sites to discover. Today, you can customize your vacation with the included sightseeing of your choice. As in Rome, an expert English-speaking native guide will accompany your congenial group of never more than 8 other travelers, shedding light on the sites you visit. Meals B Walking Tour + The Academy with Skip-the-Line Access: Meet your guide at 8:50 this morning outside the historic Café Rivoire, centrally located in Piazza della Signoria at the corner of Via Vecchereccia. Discover the highlights of this handsome city square and continue your walking tour to the Piazza del Duomo where you'll see the celebrated gilded bronze doors of the Baptistery, Brunelleschi's spectacular cupola that crowns the Cathedral, and Giotto's Bell Tower - one of the city's greatest Gothic landmarks. Arriving at the Academy, your expert guide will lead you past the lines and directly into the Museum, where your tour reveals Renaissance masterpieces like Michelangelo's David. Ending at the Academy, this 3-hour tour is offered every day except Monday from April to Oct. Black out dates may apply. Chianti Tour With Wine Tasting: Chianti, with its timeless landscape, ancient hamlets, fine wine, and rich food, is truly evocative. Meet your guide and small group at 8:30 in the morning and embark on a scenic drive that leads you to Greve, the charming "Gate of Chianti," where you can explore at a relaxed pace. Next, visit a family-run wine estate for a lunch featuring local ingredients and a tasting of some of their best wines. Afterward, stroll through Montefioralle, a quaint hamlet with cobbled streets and stone walls. On your way back to Florence, stop at Badia a Passignano to explore the 11th-century fortified abbey dedicated to St. Michael and its surrounding estate. Siena and San Gimignano With Wine Tasting and Lunch: Meet your driving escort at 7:45 and journey to Siena, one of Italy's most enchanting medieval cities. A local guide will reveal the charm of its cobblestone streets, the elegance of Piazza del Campo, and the intriguing traditions surrounding the Palio horse race. Visit the Siena Cathedral, renowned for its breathtaking marble mosaic floor, typically displayed from July to mid-October. Afterward, savor lunch at a family-run wine estate near San Gimignano, enjoying a meal paired with estate wines amid the Tuscan countryside. Before returning to Florence, explore San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site #WHS# celebrated for its remarkably preserved medieval towers and quaint atmosphere.

Day 6: Florence at Your Leisure

With a convenient city-center location, it's easy to step out from your hotel today to explore more of Florence at your own pace. Meals B

Day 7: Scenic Rail Journey to Venice

After breakfast, our car and driver will take you to the rail station. Sit back and enjoy your reserved First-Class seat aboard the high-speed Italo train. On arrival in Venice, you'll be warmly greeted and escorted to the hotel of your choice, handpicked to enhance your stay in this magical city. Meals B

Day 8: Personalize Your Stay in Venice #WHS#

Tailor your exploration of Venice to your own tastes and interests. Choose one of our included excursions - all of them are expertly guided and limited to never more than 8 guests. Meals B Venice Walking Tour + Doges Palace: Meet your fellow travelers at 8:25 this morning in front of the historic Caffé Florian, centrally located in St. Mark's Square. Then set out across Piazza San Marco as your expert guide shares colorful legends and fascinating historical facts about the many architectural landmarks that surround this grand and beautiful square. Your sightseeing ends with a guided tour of the Doge's Palace, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture that's also filled with masterpieces by great Italian artists from Titian to Tintoretto. This 2.5 hour tour is offered every day of the week from Apr 1 to Nov 15. Tasting Tour of Venice: Focusing on some of the many bàcari (Venetian wine bars) that can be found near the Rialto Bridge, this tour begins at 6:00 pm in front of the clock tower of the conveniently located San Giacomo di Rialto Church. Setting out with your in-the-know resident guide, your congenial group of no more than 8 people will join Venetian residents for one of their favorite traditions - gathering with friends in a neighborhood bàcari to enjoy a glass of wine and some appetizers. As the evening progresses, you'll visit 3 different establishments for a genuine and delightful taste of Venetian life. With two appetizers and a glass of wine included at each bàcari, this 90-minute tour is offered Mon through Fri from Apr 1 to Nov 15.

Day 9: Arrivederci, Italia!

After breakfast, our private car and driver will take you to the airport or rail station for your onward journey. If you wish to explore more of Italy, you can add extra nights here in Venice or let our experts assist you with extensions all across Italy. We can arrange your transportation, wonderful hotels, meals, and sightseeing. Meals B