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
Booking Summary: After you book, please follow the instructions in your booking summary email and ensure you complete your traveller information details within 7 days.
This tour package is valid for the following departure dates:
LOW SEASON
- 1 July 2023
- 15 July 2023
- 5 August 2023
- 26 August 2023
HIGH SEASON
- 1 April 2023
- 15 April 2023
- 6 May 2023
- 13 May 2023
- 3 June 2023
- 24 June 2023
- 2 September 2023
- 9 September 2023
- 23 September 2023
- 7 October 2023
IMPORTANT: Please allow for travelling time. 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. 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.
Booking Process
- Select which package option you would like, taking care to choose the correct season, length of stay and room capacity (Twin Room or Solo Traveller)
- Click on the green ‘Check Availability’ tab
- Using the plus or minus, adjust the number of people you would like to book then click the ‘View Available Dates & Prices’ tab
- Click the blue ‘Select’ button then the green ‘Review & Payment’ tab at the bottom right of the screen
- Fill out your preferred payment method and click the green ‘Pay Securely Now’ tab
- Once your order is complete, you will receive your Luxury Escapes automated booking summary email (this is not your tour confirmation)
- You will then be contacted by the Trusted Partner Tour Operator who will collect your Traveller Details
- The Trusted Partner Tour Operator will then also contact you to advise if your tour is confirmed. 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.
- Should you require assistance with your tour, please contact your Trusted Partner Tour Operator (refer to your booking summary email for their contact details). Alternatively, contact trustedpartnertours@luxuryescapes.com.
IMPORTANT: The Twin-Room Package is valid for ONE PERSON (based on twin room). If you are travelling with another person, you must purchase TWO PACKAGES, otherwise please purchase a Solo Traveller package. Solo travellers will get their own room throughout the tour.
Please note that packages cannot be split.
AMENDMENTS & CHANGES
7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee: Things don’t always work out. Our 7-day Change of Mind Guarantee is there to help. Bookings (except for cruise bookings and flights which are subject to the cancellation terms of the relevant supplier) may be cancelled with a full refund provided that cancellation occurs strictly within 7 days from the date of purchase and provided that the cancellation is made no less than 120 days prior to the departure date.
Name Change or Corrections
Following the 7-Day Change of Mind Guarantee period,
- Name corrections may incur a fee
- Name changes are not permitted
Date Changes
- You can enjoy one free date change on selected tours up until 120 days prior to original travel date (subject to seasonal surcharges or package upgrades). Changes can be made via your ‘My Escapes’ account, or by contacting the Luxury Escapes Customer Support Team at trustedpartnertours@luxuryescapes.com. Any subsequent date changes will incur a fee of A$250 per person plus any further costs that may apply.
- The Trusted Partner or the Luxury Escapes Customer Support Team will advise if the change is confirmed via email and provide an invoice for the following: date change fees, costs from third-party suppliers, air and rail travel and hotels (cabins on cruises).
- Date changes do not apply to flights booked with Luxury Escapes. Flight fulfilment and changes are governed by the airline(s) selected at the time of finalising the booking. For your air travel, you are bound by the terms and conditions and fare rules of the selected airline(s).
Covid-19 Related Cancellations
For all new bookings, if you can’t travel as a direct result of border closures or government-imposed travel restrictions that directly impact your booking, Luxury Escapes will:
- allow you to change the dates of your tour, or
- offer you a credit for another tour, cruise or accommodation offer, less any third-party costs that Luxury Escapes can’t recover (including from airlines and tour providers)
Accommodation
This tour includes accommodation at the following hotels:
- Rome — Starhotels Metropole (Deluxe Room)
- Pienza — Hotel Corsignano (Run of House)
- Florence — Hotel Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio or Hotel Laurus al Duomo (Run of House)
- Venice — Hotel NH Collection Venezia Murano Villa (Superior Room)
Pre- & Post-Tour Accommodation
Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be booked to extend your stay before or after your tour.
- Rome — Starhotels Metropole (Deluxe Room): rates on request with breakfast included, subject to availability. Surcharges may apply.
- Venice — Hotel NH Collection Venezia Murano Villa (Run of House): rates on request with breakfast included, subject to availability. Surcharges may apply.
Please contact trustedpartnertours@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
IMPORTANT:
- Accommodation is subject to availability and may be substituted for a hotel of a similar or higher standard without notice.
- Rooms will be made available after 3pm on day of arrival. Checkout is required by 10am. Early check-in and late checkout are available at an additional fee.
- Maximum room capacity is two adults.
Inclusions
- 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 itinerary
- 48-hour Vaporetto Pass in Venice
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
- The services of a professional English-speaking guide.
- Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi (where available)
- Luggage transfers
- Carbon emission offset through eco-charity ‘Trees for Italy’
Exclusions
- Airport transfers
- Roundtrip international flights
- Visas
- Single supplement
- Meals/drinks not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities/tours, personal expenses/transfers not mentioned
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Tips and gratuities
- Dining inclusions do not include drinks (unless otherwise stated). Menus are subject to change without notice.
Age Restrictions
- There is no minimum or maximum age on this tour.
Group Size
- Minimum number for this tour to operate is four guests. 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.
- Maximum tour capacity is 16 guests.
- Please note that this tour is not exclusive to Luxury Escapes guests, and you may be travelling with other members of the public.
Travel Insurance
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Luxury Escapes recommends purchasing travel insurance as soon as possible after purchasing this package.
- Luxury Escapes can assist you in purchasing travel insurance through our preferred provider. Please enquire for further information and to see if our policy is suitable for you.
Passports & Visas
- A visa may be required. It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they’re holding a current visa for the countries they’re visiting. If the traveller is on a non-Australian passport, a valid re-entry visa may be required.
- Important: Please start arranging your visa at least 6-8 weeks prior to departure to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and processing time.
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months beyond your return travel date is required for all passengers (including children and infants).
Photo ID
- For all international tours, a digital copy of your passport may be required to be provided to the Trusted Partner Tour Operator prior to your tour departure.
- For domestic tours, a digital copy of government-issued photo identification (passport or driver’s license) may be required to be provided to the Trusted Partner Tour Operator prior to your tour departure.
- Failure to provide a valid photo ID as required by the Trusted Partner Tour Operator may result in your booking being cancelled and all monies paid remaining non-refundable
Health & Vaccinations
- Travellers are advised to check the vaccine requirements for their trip with their local health professional at least 45 days prior to departure, as some vaccines require 30 days or more to be effective. Please check with your health professional that you hold the appropriate vaccination entry requirements for your destination.
- By purchasing this tour, you acknowledge the Covid-19 Health & Safety advice as shown here.
- Guests may be required to provide evidence of proof of vaccination against Covid-19 from our ground operator prior to departure. Please contact the Luxury Escapes Customer Support Team at trustedpartnertours@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
- Important: The hotel, transportation and/or destination you are travelling to may have health, insurance and vaccination requirements in place. Please ensure you stay up to date with any requirements prior to your departure.
Tour Baggage Restrictions
- Passengers are permitted one piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 25kg on tour.
Flight Schedule Changes and/or Cancellations (if applicable)
- Please note that the rules governing your flight purchase are different from the terms and conditions of your hotel, tour, or cruise purchase. See Flights terms and conditions here.
- Your hotel, tour, or cruise booking cannot be changed or cancelled in the event of unavoidable flight schedule changes or cancellations and will be subject to the terms of that purchase.
- Further, your right to a change or cancellation of a flight is strictly governed by the terms and conditions of the specific airfare you purchased and as determined by the relevant airline carrier.
- We will, however, make every effort to work with airlines and suppliers in order to provide you with the best alternative options available.
Tipping
Tipping and gratuities are not included in the package, unless otherwise stated, and are at your own discretion. As a guide, approx. EUR10 – EUR15 per person, per day, is the industry standard.
Fitness Requirements
Travellers acknowledge that they are required to have a good level of health and fitness to undertake the activities on this tour. Further, travellers acknowledge and agree that neither Luxury Escapes nor the tour provider will be able to provide medical or other assistance in the event that they are unable to complete any aspect of the tour as a result of their health or physical condition (nor is Luxury Escapes liable for any loss, damage, expense, injury or death arising from such).
Itinerary Amendments & Changes
In the event of a change in the itinerary (due to safety or events outside of our control) which results in cancellation or change fees in respect of flights (or other parts of your travel) we will notify you as soon as practicable. You will be responsible for any associated costs or will otherwise have the right to a refund (less any costs incurred or paid to third parties).
Surcharges
After completing your booking, your tour cost may be subject to additional surcharges as a result of factors beyond the control of Luxury Escapes. Where the cost of delivering your selected tour materially increases between the time of purchase and delivery, Luxury Escapes reserves the right to increase the balance due. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, taxes, airfares, fuel surcharges, or tour costs where those costs have increased for similar reasons. A material increase will be considered once in excess of 10% of the package price.
Any prices quoted exclude specific costs/measures that may be introduced at a later stage as a result of Government changes due to Covid-19 health and safety restrictions. The Trusted Partner Tour Operator will inform guests of these changes as soon as possible.
PLEASE NOTE:
Luxury Escapes reserves the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to website’s terms and conditions.
The supplier reserves the right to cancel or alter tour itineraries as deemed necessary. Tour operation or alterations to itineraries may occur due to road or weather conditions, strikes, public holidays, accommodation availability and/or other factors. Accommodation will be of a similar or better standard if a change is required.
Package inclusions are correct at the time of purchase. Refer to your booking summary email for details.
Please note this tour is operated by one of our Trusted Partner Tour Operator partners. You will be contacted post-purchase with further details.