Grand Tour of Italy by Rail | Self Guided Tour | 12 Days

DAY 1:                 VENICE

Upon arrival in Venice (airport or rail station), join a shared transfer by boat to Venice city centre, to reach the hotel of your stay. Rest of the day at disposal to discover Venice and its beautiful lagoon.

DAY 2:                   VENICE

Breakfast at the hotel, then a full day dedicated to exploring Venice. You can take a guided walking tour through the most famous places in the city (Piazza San Marco with the Basilica and the Clock Tower, the Rialto Bridge, Campo Santa Maria Formosa) and others less known; or a skip-the-line guided tour of the Doge’s Palace, with the Doge’s luxurious apartments and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Alternatively, you can go on a boat trip to the islands of the Venice lagoon. Overnight in Venice. (B)

DAY 3:                   VENICE – FLORENCE

After breakfast at the hotel, make your own way to Venice Santa Lucia station to board the high-speed train to Florence. The journey takes about 2h 15′. After arriving at your hotel, the day is at leisure to explore Florence, the ‘cradle of the Renaissance’ independently. We would suggest a guided tour of one of the main museums: the Uffizi Galleries, with the masterpieces of the masters of the Italian Renaissance, or the Accademia Gallery, which houses the original of Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, or a half day visit to Pisa and its famous leaning tower. Alternatively, those who are fond of food can have an engaging Italian cooking lesson, which begins at the “Central Market”, the largest, most vibrant and colourful food market in the city. Overnight in Florence. (B)

DAY 4:                   FLORENCE

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will discover two thousand years of history of the cradle of the Renaissance through the eyes of an expert local guide, who will take you in an unforgettable journey to discover the most beautiful squares and monuments of Florence. With this half day tour, you will admire with your own eyes the sites and monuments that have made Florence one of the most visited destinations in the world. Rest of the day at disposal to visit the monuments and/or the museums or Florence or organize an excursion to the surrounding areas. Overnight in Florence. (B)

DAY 5:                   FLORENCE – ROME

After breakfast at the hotel, make your own way to Santa Maria Novella rail station to board the High-Speed Train to Roma Termini. The journey will take about 1h30′. After arriving at the hotel, enjoy free time for an independent visit of Rome. Overnight in Rome. (B)

DAY 6:                   ROME

Today, join our Imperial Tour of Rome to closely admire the monuments of the Roman Forum, enter the Colosseum and listen to our guide’s presentation of the evocative history of ancient Rome and the gladiators’ fights that took place there. In the afternoon, free time to continue exploring the Eternal City. Overnight in Rome. (B) 

DAY 7:                   ROME – NAPLES – POMPEII – SORRENTO

After breakfast at the hotel, make your own way to Rome Termini station to board the high-speed train to Naples. Upon arrival in Naples, meet our driver and proceed to Pompeii where you will enjoy a 2-hour stop to visit the archaeological area (tickets included – guide not included but possibility to add it). This ancient Roman city was destroyed when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and buried it, preserving it under a sea of volcanic ash for nearly 1700 years. At the end of the visit transfer to Sorrento, famous for its picturesque old town centre and characteristic fisherman’s village of Marina Grande, one of the most authentic treasures of the city. Overnight in Sorrento. (B)

DAY 8:                   SORRENTO – CAPRI – ANACAPRI – SORRENTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will participate in a small group tour (max 20 pax) in Capri and Anacapri, with the famous Blue Grotto included. Through this excursion, you can visit the beautiful Blue Grotto, with its colours and atmosphere known throughout the world (please note: the visit of Blue Grotto is weather permitting). Afterwards, you can visit Anacapri and Capri and discover the beauties of this wonderful island (lunch not included). In the afternoon, return to Sorrento by ferry. Once you arrive at the port, make your own way back to the hotel. Overnight in Sorrento. (B)

DAY 9:                   SORRENTO – NAPLES – AT SEA

Breakfast at hotel. Today you will have half a day free to explore Sorrento, take a swim in one of the various beaches in the area, discover the gastronomic delights of the region or explore the beautiful towns of the Amalfi coast. Be careful to be back in Sorrento by lunchtime because in the early afternoon you will have your private transfer to the port of Naples where, in the evening, you will be boarded on the ferry to Palermo. The ferry will cross the Tyrrhenian Sea overnight, allowing you to be in Palermo early in the morning the next day. Overnight stay on the ferry. (B)

DAY 10:                   PALERMO

Arrival in Palermo in the early morning (breakfast not included on board the ferry). Your private transfer will be waiting for you at the Port of Palermo to take you to your hotel. Once you arrive at the hotel, you can leave your bags (early check-in not guaranteed) and start exploring the city at your leisure. Overnight in Palermo.

DAY 11:                   PALERMO

After breakfast at the hotel, you have a day at leisure to continue the visit of the beautiful capital of Sicily, discovering the beautiful Church of Martorana and Church of San Cataldo, both testimonies of Norman-Arab art and architecture, or relaxing by walking in the Botanical Garden of Palermo, a historic garden with a vast collection of exotic and Mediterranean plants.  Overnight stay in Palermo. (B)

DAY 12:                  PALERMO

Breakfast at the hotel before checking out. End of our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

SUPERIOR CLASS:

VENICE: Hotel Principe

FLORENCE: Hotel Executive

ROME: Hotel Diana Roof Garden

SORRENTO: Hotel Michelangelo

FERRY: Overnight from Naples to Palermo

PALERMO: Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro

Includes:

• 2 nights accommodation in Venice
• 2 nights accommodation in Florence
• 2 nights accommodation in Rome
• 2 nights accommodation in Sorrento
• 1 night onboard ferry to Palermo (Standard Cabin – internal side)
• 2 nights accommodation in Palermo
• 10 breakfasts at the hotel
• Arrival transfer by shared shuttle boat in Venice (from Venice Marco Polo Airport or Venice Santa Lucia Station to set stops in Venice city centre)
• Private one-way transfer from Naples to Sorrento with 2 hours stop in Pompeii
• Private one-way transfer from Sorrento to Napoli Port
• Private one-way transfer from Palermo port to Hotel in Palermo city centre
• 30 minutes Gondola ride with commentary on app to be downloaded on your smart phone (English/Spanish/Russian/French) – gondola shared with other passengers
• Half day guided group tour of Florence
• Guided small group tour of Colosseum and Roman Forum
• Entrance tickets to the Pompeii Archaeological Area (guide not included – possibility to add private guide by supplement)
• Group excursion to Capri Island from Sorrento including visit to the Blue Grotto ***weather permitting – no refund in case of bad
• 2nd class^ high speed train ticket from Venice Santa Lucia to Florence Santa Maria Novella
• 2nd class^ high speed train ticket from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini
• 2nd class^ high speed train ticket from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale

Excludes:

• Transfers from/to the rail stations unless specified under ‘Includes’. Note: The hotels are located walking distance from the rail stations
• Tourist city tax, to be paid on the spot
• Lunches and dinners
• Optional tours and experiences
• Extras, tips, porterage, and everything not expressly listed as inclusion is not included and to be paid on the spot

Things to Note:

• Accommodation is subject to change without notice.
• Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.
• City taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to the hotel.
• ^Class of rail ticket is based on 2^ndclass unless the optional upgrade to 1^stclass has been selected at the time of booking.