Italy by Rail with Privately Guided Sightseeing (2026 Itinerary)

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 and delight in the intimacy and thoughtful engagement of touring with your own personal guide!  Meals B

Half-Day Walking Tour: Enjoy this comfortably paced walk through the center of Rome as your personal guide shares history and insights into treasured landmarks like the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain. Of course, you’ll want to toss in a coin here at the city’s most famous fountain to ensure a return visit. This 4-hour tour is offered every day of the week.

Roman Forum + Colosseum by Private Car: Starting from your hotel in a privately chauffeured vehicle, you’ll depart for an in-depth tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Explore these two iconic landmarks, as your personal guide shares some fascinating historical facts and stories that will bring to life the glories of Ancient Rome. This 3-hour tour is offered every day of the week.
 
Vatican Museums: Starting from your hotel in a privately chauffeured vehicle, this halfday tour begins with one of the most important museums in the world, home to a fabulous collection of art, antiquities and, of course, the Sistine Chapel. The complex of buildings nowadays called Vatican Museums was actually built and used as the official residence of the Popes, whose rooms were decorated by the greatest artists of all times, like Raphael, Pinturicchio, Botticelli and Michelangelo. Your guide will lead you through a selection of masterpieces that culminates with the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s frescoed vault and Last Judgement have been leaving visitors in awe since their unveiling. This 3-hour tour is offered every day except Sunday. 
 
You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enhance your time in Rome. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.

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

If you prefer guided touring, we offer a wide variety of additional privately guided sightseeing tours to complement your stay here in Rome. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our sightseeing tours in the Eternal City.

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
 

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 privately guided sightseeing tour of your choice. Meals B
 
Walking Tour + Academia: Departing from your hotel with your personal guide, you’ll discover the city’s greatest highlights including the Duomo with its spectacular cupola designed by Brunelleschi; Giotto’s Bell Tower, one of the city’s most impressive Gothic landmarks; and the Baptistry with its famous gilded bronze doors. Arriving at the Accademia, one of the world’s finest art museums, enjoy a narrated tour of its most important masterpieces including, of course, Michelangelo’s David. This 3-hour tour is offered every day except Monday.  
 
Walking Tour + Uffizi Gallery:  Set out from your hotel with your personal guide to explore some of the city’s most important landmarks including the Duomo with its spectacular cupola designed by Brunelleschi; Giotto’s Bell Tower, one of the city’s most impressive Gothic landmarks; and the Baptistry with its famous gilded bronze doors. Arriving at the Uffizi, your guide will share historic insights and colorful stories about the wondrous Renaissance masterpieces you’ll see on display here in the gallery - including works by Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, and da Vinci. This 3-hour tour is offered every day except Monday.
 
Chianti with Wine Tasting + Lunch:  In the pastoral heart of Tuscany, Chianti is a region famed as much for its robust wines as for its picturesque villages, rural charms and natural beauty. Departing Florence this morning in your private vehicle, you’ll enjoy the scenic drive into the countryside to tour the town of Greve in the heart of Chianti. After stopping to explore another of the region’s picturesque medieval villages, you’ll tour a local wine and olive estate – tasting five of their fine vintages accompanied by Bruschetta and cured meats.  This 4.5-hour tour is offered every day of the week.
 
You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enhance your time in Florence. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.

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

If you prefer additional privately guided touring, we offer a wide variety of excursions in and around Florence… Here in the city, into the Tuscan countryside, and even to the enchanting Mediterranean coastal towns of Cinque Terre. CLICK HERE to see all of our Privately Guided Tours.

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

Tailor your day by choosing one of these included excursions - and discover the magic of Venice with your own personal guide.  Meals B
 
Walking Tour + Doges Palace:  Behold the iconic landmarks that grace St. Mark’s Square as your personal guide shares colorful stories about their history and the city of Venice. Continuing to the resplendent Doge’s Palace, you’ll enter within for a privately guided tour – highlighted by the works of famous Italian artists like Titian and Tiepolo.  After visiting the infamous prisons, connected to the Palace by the Bridge of Sighs, continue your guided stroll along the charming streets, alleyways and canals of the city until you reach the Rialto Bridge. Spending some time in this area, one of the oldest parts of the city and home to the famous Rialto Markets, will offer insight into both modern-day life as well as what the city was like centuries ago. This 4-hour tour is offered every day of the week.

Private Gondola Ride:  Departing from the Bacino Orseolo Gondola Station, this delightful excursion in your own private gondola with an experienced Venetian gondolier is the best way to take in the magic and romance of the city. Gliding along the city’s fabled canals and waterways offers a unique perspective on Venice’s astounding architectural wealth. This 30-minute tour is offered every day of the week.
 
You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enrich your stay in Venice. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.

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