Italy By Rail - A Flexible Holiday

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.

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:

Our Intimate, Expertly Guided Tours with Never More than 8 Travelers

Colosseum + 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 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.
 
Ends at Forum • 3 hours • Offered Sun, Mon, Wed and Fri • Guaranteed for 2 guests • Apr 1 to Nov 15.
 
Vatican Museums with Skip-the-Line Access: Starting from your hotel this afternoon, 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.
 
Ends at Museum • 3 hours • Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat • Guaranteed for 2 guests • Apr 1 to Nov 15.
 
Roman Squares and Fountains: Meet your guide at 9:00 this morning outside the Farmacia (Pharmacy) at the foot of the Spanish Steps and set out with your intimate group on this congenial walking tour. Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome and then stroll along cobbled streets to the Piazza Venezia, with its impressive monument dedicated Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of Italy. Then venture down evocative alleyways to reach the Piazza Farnese; virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages this corner of Rome promises an authentic experience of city life. This tour ends at Campo de’ Fiori, a handsome town square now home to a lively and colorful market – the perfect place to linger on your own after bidding farewell to your guide.
 
3 hours • Offered Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri and Sat • Guaranteed for 2 guests • Year-round
 
Roman Panorama: 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.
 
3 hours • Offered daily • Guaranteed for 2 guests • Mar 1 to Nov 30
 
Rome by Night: Departing your hotel this evening, 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. Then ascend Gianicolo Hill for enchanting nighttime views of Rome before returning to your hotel.
 
2.5 hours • Offered daily • Guaranteed for 2 guests • Mar 1 to Nov 30
 
You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enhance your time in Rome. Please let us know when you book if you prefer private touring with your own personal car, driver and guide – here in Rome or anywhere across Italy. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our sightseeing tours in Rome.

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. 

We also offer a wide variety of additional sightseeing to enhance your stay. Join a congenial group excursion with no more than 8 travelers or choose one of our privately guided tours. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our sightseeing tours in Rome.
 

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.

Enjoy our extended 3-night stay in Florence. See what awaits!

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:

Our Intimate, Expertly Guided Tours with Never More than 8 Travelers

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.

If you prefer guided touring, we offer a wide variety of excursions here in Florence, into the Tuscan countryside - and even to the enchanting Mediterranean coastal towns of Cinque Terre. CLICK HERE to see all of our Small Group and Privately Guided tours in and around Florence

After breakfast, our car and driver will take you to the 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

Tailor your exploration of Venice to your own tastes and interests by choosing one of these included excursions:

Our Intimate, Expertly Guided Tours with Never More than 8 Travelers

Venice Walking Tour + Doge’s 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.
 
2.5 hours • Offered daily • 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. Enjoy two appetizers and a glass of wine at each bàcari visited.

1.5 hours • Offered Mon through Fri • Apr 1 to Nov 15

Gondola Experience: Delight in the magic of Venice on this intimate Small Group Experience that will take you gliding along the city’s fabled canals and waterways in a traditional Venetian Gondola. Choose either a morning or afternoon excursion and meet your fellow travelers in St. Mark’s Square before proceeding to the waterfront to board your Gondola.

1/2 hour • Offered Mon through Fri • Apr 1 to Nov 15
 
You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing if you wish. Please let us know when you book if you prefer private touring with your own personal car, driver and guide – here in Venice or anywhere across Italy. 

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