Top to Toe 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. Overnight in Venice.  

DAY 2:                                      VENICE 

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a full day exploring Venice at your own pace. In the afternoon, enjoy a 30-minute gondola ride with commentary via mobile app. Overnight stay 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. 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 will 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, 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 – REGGIO CALABRIA 

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Naples Afragola station. Here, you will take the high-speed train in the direction of Reggio Calabria where you can admire the beautiful landscapes of Southern Italy, as you approach the tip of the Italian boot. Arrive in Reggio Calabria, city with a huge heart, scene of myths, legends and culture. Private transfer* to your hotel in Reggio Calabria for your overnight stay. (B) 

*Private transfer included for 2026 departures only. 

DAY 10:                                    REGGIO CALABRIA – TAORMINA/GIARDINI NAXOS 

After breakfast, make your own way to the port of Reggio Calabria and board the ferry to Messina, saying goodbye to beautiful Calabria. The ferry crosses the Strait of Messina, place of legends and ancient Greek poems. On arrival to the port of Messina, a private transfer awaits to take you directly to Taormina, one of the most fascinating cities in Sicily. Check-in at the hotel (early check-in not guaranteed) and rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Taormina/Giardini Naxos. (B) 

DAY 11:                                  TAORMINA/GIARDINI NAXOS 

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before spending the day exploring Taormina and its picturesque surroundings. Overnight in Taormina or Giardini Naxos. (B) 

DAY 12:                                          TAORMINA/GIARDINI NAXOS 

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

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

VENICE: Hotel Principe, or Hotel Amadeus 

FLORENCE: Hotel Executive, or Hotel Adriatico  

ROME: Hotel Diana Roof Garden, or Hotel Gambrinus, or Hotel Atlantico, or Hotel Genova  

SORRENTO: Hotel Michelangelo, or Cesare Augusto Hotel 

REGGIO CALABRIA: Hotel Torrione, or Albanuova Hotel 

TAORMINA/GIARDINI NAXOS: Hotel Arathena Rocks 

INCLUDES: 

• 11 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast in 4* hotels
• 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 Rome to Sorrento with 2 hours stop in Pompeii
• Private one-way transfer from Sorrento to Napoli Afragola station
• Private one-way transfer from Messina port to Hotel in Taormina/Giardini Naxos
• 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)
• Group excursion to Capri Island from Sorrento including visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting – no refund in case of bad weather. Transfers from hotel-meeting point – hotel is not included)
• 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
• 2nd class^ high speed train ticket from Napoli Afragola to Reggio Calabria Centrale
• One-way public ferry ticket from Reggio Calabria port to Messina port
• Private transfer from Reggio Calabria train station to hotel (only included for departures in 2026)

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
• Entrance tickets to monuments and/or museums, unless listed above
• 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.