Italy by First-Class Rail: 9-Day Rome, Florence & Venice Tour with Tuscany Wine Regions & Rome City Tour
Uncover the best of Italian art, food and architecture by rail on this 9-day, small-group tour of Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Venice (max. 16 travellers). Follow in the footsteps of gladiators and consuls as you explore Rome’s Colosseum, discover the emerald hills and ruby wines of the Val d’Orcia in Tuscany, stand in the shadow of Pienza’s titanic Cathedral and amble alongside Venice’s famed lagoons. Plus, witness the majesty of Florence’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, an architectural triumph that’s guaranteed to make your soul soar.
Along the way, stay in a dazzling spread of premium accommodation – including two nights each in Rome, Pienza, Florence and Venice – and enjoy first-class rail transfers throughout your journey, daily breakfast, select dining experiences, the services of an expert English-speaking local guide, and enough wine for a Roman banquet.
Your journey takes you to: Rome — Grosseto – Buonconvento – Pienza – Val d’Orcia — Pienza — Siena — Florence — Venice.
Your tour includes:
- Eight nights of premium accommodation in Rome, Pienza, Florence and Venice
- Daily breakfast and select dining experiences, including a traditional welcome dinner and a Tuscan wine tasting
- First-class train transfers throughout the entirety of your journey
- Explore the twisting alleys and historical surprises of Baroque Rome on a guided walking tour, including stops at Palatine Hill and the Colosseum
- Fall in love with the natural splendour of the Monti dell’Uccellina on a full-day tour
- Sip your way through Val d’Orcia’s rambling vineyards
- Enjoy a guided walking tour of Siena, including its iconic Cathedral
- Experience a guided walking tour of Florence’s many delights, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
- Walk Venice’s storied laneways and the bridges that criss-cross its innumerable lagoons and canals
- Included 24-hour Rome Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus pass and 48-hour Venice Vaporetto Pass to use at your leisure
- The services of a professional English-speaking guide.
- All sightseeing and entrance fees per the itinerary
- Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi (where available)
- Enjoy seamless baggage handling, with luggage delivered to your room at each stop
- All carbon emissions of your trip will be offset, thanks to the tour’s partnership with eco-charity ‘Trees for Italy’
The Experiences – First-class rail travel and ancient Italian majesty
Glide past sun-kissed vineyards, rolling green hills and pockets of picturesque villages on first-class rail journeys between Italy’s extraordinary major cities. There’s something special about travelling by rail – you can stretch your legs whenever you need and enjoy the views from expansive carriage windows. Should you tire of the views (if that’s even possible), you can turn to your screen for some digital downtime thanks to onboard Wi-Fi.
Along the way, you’ll visit a staggering wealth of historic sites – see Venice at its most vibrant as you take a boat transfer to your accommodation, taste authentic local flavours and savour Brunello wine in Tuscany, visit Florence’s magnificent Duomo Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and get acquainted with the ancient beauty of Rome with skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum.
Need more inspiration? Read Buon Appetito: An Epic Italian Food Journey
Your tour begins at Starhotels Metropole Rome at 2pm and ends in Venice any time after breakfast. Airport or train station transfers are not included in your package; please plan accordingly.
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
Please book your flights or trains to enable you to arrive at Starhotels Metropole Rome by 2pm on Day 1 and depart from Venice any time after 10am on Day 9.
Important: Please allow for travelling time from international countries. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive in Rome on your chosen tour start date.
A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visas Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information: Italy
Time zone: GMT+2
Telephone: +39
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within cities. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas.
Language: Italian
Climate: The climate varies between the north and the south of Italy. The north experiences very cold winters and very hot, humid summers. Central Italy is much milder with a less intense winter. The south experiences longer, warmer summers and much milder winters.
Dress code: Relaxed but respectful, especially when visiting religious institutions.
Day 1: Arrive Rome
Buongiorno! Welcome to Rome, home to world-class gastronomy, ancient architecture and some of the world’s greatest works of art. Take your time to check in to your accommodation and relax, before meeting with your guide at 2pm. An afternoon of adventure awaits – gain a unique insight into the Eternal City with a guided tour of Baroque Rome’s twisting alleyways and iconic sights. Wander through the ancient spaces of the Piazza Navona and the storied pillars of the Pantheon before arriving at the legendary statues of the Fontana di Trevi – be sure to throw in a coin and make a wish!
This evening, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner celebrating Rome’s extraordinary cuisine.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Starhotels Metropole
Day 2: Rome
After breakfast, take advantage of Rome’s Hop-on, Hop-off Bus to marvel at the city’s best sights on the way to the fabled Colosseum. On arrival, stroll beneath the ancient limestone arches – skipping the line with your included pass – and follow in the footsteps of gladiators and consuls as you explore one of the city’s most majestic structures. Afterwards, visit the area’s other extraordinary ruins, including Palatine Hill – said to be the home of the Lupercal, the mythical cave where Romulus and Remus were raised by wolves – and the storied ruins of the Roman Forum.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Starhotels Metropole
Optional Activity – Dinner With Friends (from EUR180 per person): Mangiare! Learn to eat like a local on this unforgettable journey through Italy’s cherished cuisine. Eat sumptuous handmade pasta in Rome, savour Tuscan delicacies in Pienza, feast upon a Fiorentina T-bone steak in Florence, and enjoy an evening of cicchetti grazing dishes in Venice.
Day 3: Rome – Grosseto – Buonconvento – Pienza
The rolling beauty of the Tuscan countryside awaits. Upon boarding the train to Grosseto, you’ll move past the region’s jagged outcrops and serene marshes before arriving at the gateway to the picturesque Maremma region. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant within the rolling emerald wilderness of the Monti dell’Uccellina before continuing to the heart of classical Tuscany via the sun-kissed medieval village of Buonconvento.
Literally called ‘Happy Place’ in Latin, the town is considered one of the most beautiful places in Italy. Relax while sipping an excellent (and included) glass of wine before being transferred to your hotel in gentle Pienza. Surrounded by smooth emerald hills in the Val d’Orcia, this charming village is the birthplace of the 15th-century Pope Pius II, who used his considerable influence and wealth to turn his birthplace into a renaissance masterpiece.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Corsignano
Day 4: Pienza – Val d’Orcia
Discover the astonishing beauty of the Val d’Orcia’s cypress-blessed countryside, elevated by the extraordinary flavour of its famed wines. Wander through cobblestone streets as you explore the enchanting medieval towns and sprawling vineyards that dot Tuscany’s golden hills, including San Quirico d’Orcia and Montalcino, famous for its ruby-red Brunello wines and the restored Benedictine Abbey of Sant’Antimo.
Savour the afternoon over a delicious local lunch and wine tasting.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Corsignano
Day 5: Pienza – Siena – Florence
After breakfast, transfer to Siena, a magnificently preserved medieval Gothic city famous for its for soaring spires, extravagant chapels and the Palio di Siena horse race. Embark on a journey through the ages as you’re led by your guide through Siena’s storied streets, and explore the vivid art and culture of the city’s colourful districts. Walk through the immense open space of the Piazza del Campo, admire the majesty of the Palazzo Pubblico’s unusually secular frescoes and stand in the shadow of the Torre del Mangia, an iconic medieval tower designed to mimic the fashionable Islamic minarets of the time.
Continue to the Piazza del Duomo and the titanic Siena Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian architecture, before enjoying time at leisure to explore the city’s vibrant centre. In the afternoon, embark on a rail journey to Florence, the world-famous Cradle of the Renaissance.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio or Hotel Laurus al Duomo
Day 6: Florence
Today, enjoy a unique walking tour of the most iconic sights of Florence. Stroll through the enchanting Florentine streets, past the famous white halls of the Uffizi Gallery and the breathtaking architecture of the Vasari Corridor, before arriving at the Piazza del Duomo. This extraordinary public square stands as an enduring symbol of Florence and the Renaissance and is home to dozens of majestic statues, including a reproduction of Michelangelo’s David. Stand in awe of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi’s imposing dome, synonymous with Florence’s stunning skyline.
It doesn’t get much more spectacular than Florence’s gothic-style, UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral: the result of 140 years of delicate construction, Santa Maria del Fiore is an architectural triumph of painted domes, green and pink marble, and over four million bricks. In front of the Duomo, you will find The Baptistery of St. John, where you can admire the world-famous ‘Gates of Paradise’, a magnificent masterpiece by goldsmith and sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti.
The afternoon is at your leisure – Florence has countless surprises to discover. Shop up a storm at its abundance of haute-couture boutiques and artisanal leather shops or return to the Uffizi Gallery and admire the world’s greatest collection of Italian Renaissance art.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio or Hotel Laurus al Duomo
Day 7: Florence – Venice
After breakfast, board a high-speed train for the two-hour trip to Venice. Enjoy a range of refreshments during your trip before arriving in Venice. Spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent floating marble and languid lagoons of one of Italy’s most breathtaking cities. You’ll be led through the narrow alleys and across small bridges to discover the city’s main attractions including the Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco with its Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
Return to your accommodation on Murano Island by boat – a chance to admire this magnificent city from the water.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel NH Collection Venezia Murano Villa
Day 8: Venice
After breakfast, discover the ancient and delicate art of Venetian glass-blowing at a traditional ‘furnace’, before enjoying the remainder of the day at your leisure – take advantage of your included Vaporetto Pass to discover the best of Italy’s legendary Floating City.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel NH Collection Venezia Murano Villa
Day 9: Venice
Arrivederci, Venice! Your journey has come to an end. Bid farewell to Italy’s unforgettable beauty before embarking on your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast