Italy By Rail (9 Day Program)

On arrival at the airport or rail station, you’ll be met and chauffeured to your choice of hotel: The first class Bailey’s Hotel, the deluxe Rose Garden Palace, or the Inn at the Spanish Steps – our luxury boutique hotel. The rest of this day is yours to rest, enjoy 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 particular interests and to tailor your stay in this captivating city. Just choose any one of these included half-day tours; you’ll join a congenial group of travelers and an engaging, knowledgeable guide:
 
Classic Rome: This combination of motorcoach touring and guided walks reveals many of the city’s best-known monuments. Begin the morning with a stroll through the Piazza della Republica to see the beautiful Fountain of Naiads. Continuing through the historic city center, you’ll admire the Trevi Fountain, La Colonna di Marco Aurelio and the Palazzo di Montecitorio. Then visit the Pantheon and continue by motorcoach to stand in St. Peter’s Square as your guide illuminates the history of the Basilica. Your morning tour concludes with some free time to admire the artistic masterpieces that fill this magnificent church.
 
Imperial Rome: Discover some of the most celebrated sites of ancient Rome on this well-planned afternoon tour! Travel by motorcoach to the Piazza Venezia for a guided walking tour to the famous Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo and offering a must-photograph view of the Roman Forum. Back on the coach, your sightseeing continues to the Circus Maximus and Aventine Hill. Then tour the magnificent interior of the Basilica of St. Peter in Chains before ending your tour with a visit to the imposing Colosseum.
 
The Vatican Museums with Skip-the-Line Access: This half day tour opens with a panoramic drive through Rome, passing by well-known landmarks like the Fountain of the Naiads, Borghese Park and the Egyptian Obelisk. Arriving at the Vatican, you’ll continue with your guide into the Vatican Museums, home to one of the world’s greatest collections of art and antiquity; and with our front-of-the-line access, you’ll avoid the crowds! Ascend the beautiful Spiral Staircase and marvel at the Gallery of the Tapestries. You’ll also visit the fascinating Gallery of Geographical Maps and, of course, the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo. 
 
Rome by Night: Departing your hotel in the early evening, this panoramic sightseeing tour reveals all the magic and romance of the Eternal City! Traveling comfortably by motorcoach, you’ll have a chance to admire Rome’s most beloved sites including the Fountain of Naiads, Piazza Venezia, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Capitoline Hill. You’ll also drive along the banks of the Tiber River and past the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Arch of Constantine and the Circus Maximus. The tour includes stops in the Piazza Navona to see Bernini’s celebrated Fountain of Four Rivers and at the Trevi Fountain where you can continue the tradition of throwing coins into the fountain!
 
Please Note: The availability of the sightseeing tours noted above may be affected by holidays, museum closures and seasonally-adjusted schedules. Meals B
 

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. If you wish, additional sightseeing can also be arranged.  Meals B
 

We’ll chauffeur you to the station today to board the high-speed Italo train. Enjoy reserved First Class seats as you travel in comfort and style to Florence, the city of the Medici’s and home of the Italian Renaissance. On arrival, you’ll be met 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. You can choose the First Class Hotel Rapallo; the Deluxe Hotel Santa Maria Novella; or the Luxury Hotel Brunelleschi.  Meals B
 

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 tour of your choice. As in Rome, an expert native guide will accompany your congenial group of travelers, shedding light on the sites you visit:
 
Best of Florence + The Academy: This morning tour begins with a drive along Viale dei Colli up to the Piazzale Michelangelo with its views over Florence. Continue to the historic city center where a guided walk shows you the Duomo complex including the celebrated gilded bronze doors of the Baptistery. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s spectacular cupola that crowns the Cathedral and gaze upon Giotto’s bell tower - two iconic landmarks. A pleasant stroll with your guide brings you next to the Accademia Gallery, home to Renaissance masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David.  After your guided tour, if you wish, you can continue to explore here in the museum at your own pace.
 
Florence Highlights + The Uffizi:  This afternoon tour begins with a scenic drive to the ancient Etruscan town of Fiesole, set on a hilltop overlooking Florence and the valley of the Arno River. Back in town, you’ll see the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce; built in 1294, it’s the final resting place for famous Italians including Michelangelo and Galileo. A guided walk along historic streets brings you to Piazza Signoria where you can admire the imposing Palazzo Vecchio and the beautiful Loggia del Lanzi, built in the 14th century. Your sightseeing ends on a high note with a guided visit through the Uffizi Gallery, home to famed masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Giotto and other Renaissance painters. Our guided tour ends at the Uffizi Terrace where you can linger to enjoy this marvelous view of the city’s best-known landmarks.
 
Siena, San Gimignano + Chianti:  This full-day excursion begins with a drive into the Tuscan countryside, with vistas of vineyards, olive groves, and medieval walled towns like Monteriggioni. In Siena, visit the Basilica of San Domenico, built in the 13th century and famed for its Renaissance art. Your walking tour continues along Siena’s narrow medieval streets to the Cathedral. Finish in the beautiful Piazza del Campo where you’ll have free time to enjoy lunch. Then continue to the hilltop town of San Gimignano, celebrated for its impressive centuries-old towers. Delve into the town’s history at a museum - set in a medieval palace that faithfully evokes Tuscan life during the 14th century. Enjoy a tasting of regional delicacies and wines including Chianti, Vernaccia and Spumante. You’ll have time to enjoy San Gimignano at your own pace before returning to Florence.
 
Pisa Excursion:  A delightful drive through the landscapes of Tuscany brings you to the historic university city of Pisa, famed for its wealth of important landmarks. Upon arrival, your guided walking tour will focus upon the monuments of Piazza dei Miracoli, recognized as one of the world’s finest complexes of medieval architecture. See the Cathedral, a Romanesque masterpiece that was begun in 1093, and marvel at the Baptistery – a unique circular building that was started in 1153 in Romanesque style and completed 200 years later in Gothic style. Of course, you’ll have time to photograph the iconic Leaning Tower before continuing your tour inside Pisa’s most famous landmark. We’ll whisk you past the line of other tourists to ascend the Tower’s spiraling 294 steps to the top. With its 3.99° tilt, the top of the Leaning Tower is about 183 feet above the ground on the low side and about 186 feet on its high side! After sightseeing, you’ll return to your hotel in Florence. (Children under 8-years-old are not allowed to ascend the Tower).

Please Note: The availability of the sightseeing tours noted above may be affected by holidays, museum closures and seasonally-adjusted schedules. Meals B

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 wish, additional sightseeing can also be arranged.  Meals B
 

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 escorted to the hotel of your choice, handpicked to enhance your stay in this magical city. You can choose the First Class Hotel Kette, the Deluxe Hotel a la Commedia, or the Luxury L’Orologio Hotel.   Meals B
 

Tailor your exploration of Venice to your own tastes and interests. Choose one of these included excursions and join a congenial group of travelers to experience Venice with an engaging guide:
 
Ducal Venice Tour: Discover the city’s most beloved sites! Stand in St. Mark’s Square and hear dramatic stories from the city’s past as you admire iconic landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Clock Tower. Stroll along Venice’s most picturesque streets to see Marco Polo’s House and the historic Malibran Theater. This delightful walking tour ends on a high note with a guided visit through the Ducal Palace.

Excursion to the Three Islands: Journey across the Venetian Lagoon to visit three of the city’s most celebrated islands... Murano – famous throughout the world for its exquisite glass; Burano – renowned for its beautiful and delicate lace; and Torcello – home to Venice’s first Cathedral.
 
Discover Venice & Gondola Ride: This innovative walking tour focuses on the city’s lesser known but historically significant sites. Accompanied by our in-the-know guide, your exploration begins from St. Mark’s Square and continues along charming, narrow streets and quiet canals to the Rialto Bridge. Along the way, you’ll see the renowned La Fenice Theater and the Scala del Bovolo. The tour ends on a high note with a 30-minute Gondola ride on the bustling Grand Canal.

Twilight Gondola Serenade: Experience the magic of Venice as the sun dips toward the horizon and deepening shadows fall across Venice’s glorious medieval architecture. Accompanied by music and song, your Gondola cruise takes you on a romantic promenade along the city’s most picturesque canals and waterways.

Please Note: The availability of the sightseeing tours noted above may be affected by holidays, museum closures and seasonally-adjusted schedules. Meals B

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