Iconic Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome

Day 1  London to Turin                    
Your holiday begins at London St Pancras this morning, meeting the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar for our journey to Paris. Travelling in Eurostar Plus class, we are served a light meal at our seats.
In the French capital, we change trains and continue by First Class rail to Turin. As our afternoon journey into northern Italy progresses, we encounter snow-capped alpine peaks, before arriving in Turin where we spend the night. After checking in to our hotel, we dine at a local restaurant in this dynamic Italian city.

Day 2  Turin to Rome        
With a morning free in Turin there's time to explore your surroundings. The city is an important centre of business, finance and technology - but is also a showcase of Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture. Fringed by the Italian Alps, the city's wide boulevards and grand public squares are lined with cafés and bars.

This afternoon we travel by rail to Rome, still regarded by many as the centre of the world. From the remains of the ancient Roman Empire to its Baroque fountains and cafés, there are countless places to experience in the 'Eternal City' and we have two nights here to explore.

Day 3  Rome            
Waking in glorious Rome, we discover the city's iconic landmarks on a guided tour. Starting at the Colosseum, we view the exterior of this magnificent amphitheatre before passing the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia and the Roman Pantheon. After stopping for a refreshment at Giolitti, the city's oldest gelateria, our tour ends in Piazza Navona - a lively square bordered by cafés and restaurants, where you're free to experience Rome's beauty at your own pace for the rest of the day.

Around 15 minutes' walk away is the acclaimed Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. You could climb the steps to reach Pincian Hill and Villa Borghese park with its landscaped gardens, where you can view art and sculpture in the Borghese Gallery. Across the historic Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II which spans the River Tiber is St Peter's Square and the Vatican City. If you'd like to visit the Vatican, we recommend booking ahead online.

Rome offers an array of inviting eateries, many alfresco, where you can enjoy a fresh pasta dish or a slice of pizza al taglio with a glass of wine, and watch the world go by.

Day 4  Rome to Florence        
Our journey into iconic Italy continues by rail to Florence, the Renaissance capital of the world. After checking in to our central four-star hotel, there is time to relax or to find lunch independently.

This afternoon we set out with a local guide to explore this extraordinary city. Our tour takes in the striking terracotta-tiled Duomo, and the ornate free-standing campanile tower designed by Giotto. We also pass the Santa Maria Novella Church and its piazza and the legendary Ponte Vecchio, the city's renowned medieval bridge lined with jewellery shops. Florence has many grand squares, and among the ones we walk through are Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Repubblica.

After our tour, you are free for the rest of the afternoon. You may be inspired to see Michelangelo's statue of David, and can visit the original at the Accademia or view impressive copies at Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo. You could choose to look around the market, Mercato di San Lorenzo, or enjoy an aperitif in a cool piazza before dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

Day 5  San Gimignano
Today's excursion is a trip to the walled medieval town of San Gimignano. Travelling by coach, the journey takes us south through classic Tuscan scenery where the distinctive towers of this enchanting hilltop town soon appear in the distance.

This delightful town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and we discover why as we walk through its atmospheric streets with our local guide. San Gimignano is also known for its cured Golden Ham, infused with saffron, its pecorino cheese and its white wine, and with free time over lunch you may like to sample some of these delicacies.

We return to our hotel in Florence at the end of the afternoon where you have an evening at leisure to spend as you wish.

Day 6  Pisa & Lucca              
This morning, we travel by rail through rural Tuscany's rolling hills and olive groves to visit two historic cities. Our first stop is Pisa, where a guided tour takes us to the Field of Miracles, to see the iconic Leaning Tower and the Romanesque Duomo in gleaming white marble. Next, we continue by train to Lucca, a beautiful walled city perfect for exploring on foot. To avoid getting lost in the maze-like historic centre, it may be wise to pick up a map at the Tourist Office.

Medieval Lucca has a striking Duomo, several other unique churches, and spacious piazzas. It's well worth seeking out Piazza Anfiteatro, once a Roman amphitheatre, now surrounded by small restaurants and cafés. Within the city walls is a botanical garden, art galleries, and the Baroque garden of Palazzo Pfanner, which features in the film 'Portrait of a lady' starring Nicole Kidman. For views across Lucca's terracotta rooftops, you could walk along the wide city walls. We return to Florence by rail in the early evening, and you are free to dine independently.

Day 7  Florence to Venice                
After a leisurely breakfast, we board the train to the floating city of Venice, a timeless and alluring destination. On arrival in the early afternoon, we are taken by private boat directly to the waterfront of our stylish four-star hotel on the island of Murano where we spend the next three nights. Your luggage will be transferred from Florence directly to the hotel. Away from the crowds of Venice, and with a more laid-back atmosphere, this picturesque island is actually a group of small islands joined by bridges, and it has a frequent ferry boat connection with the main island.

Renowned worldwide for its glass production heritage, Murano is more residential than the mainland and features traditional Venetian architecture with pretty canals of ochre-toned buildings. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore independently before we gather back at our hotel for dinner this evening.

Day 8  Venice            
After a short boat ride, we explore Venice on a guided walking tour. Known for its intricate network of lagoons and canals, Venice has enchanted visitors for centuries. Our guide shows us the church where Vivaldi was baptised, the evocative Bridge of Sighs, and St Mark's Square - the heart and soul of Venice for hundreds of years. Here, we admire the ornate exterior of St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.

With a free afternoon and evening you could admire the Byzantine interior of the basilica or visit any one of 170 churches. San Giorgio Maggiore is particularly beautiful with its stunning façade and Tintoretto artworks. Of course, the ultimate Venice experience is a gondola ride through the luminous canals.

The Peggy Guggenheim Gallery offers an interesting collection, canal views and a peaceful garden. The district of Dorsoduro has small venues where you could try tapas-style cicchetti, maybe with a prosecco or Aperol spritz. With a Vaporetto pass you can return to the hotel by water bus whenever you are ready. We gather again for dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 9  Venice to Chambéry          
After breakfast in Venice, we say arrivederci to Italy as we begin our return journey. After a boat ride to the station in Venice we travel by rail across northern Italy to the stylish city of Milan, then change trains to Turin. From here, we travel by First Class rail to France. Arriving in the charming French town of Chambéry, we check in to our hotel near the station for an overnight stay. This evening we sit down with the rest of our group to the final dinner of our holiday at the hotel.

Day 10  Chambéry to London      
Our tour of Italy has introduced us to the country's most celebrated cities and iconic sights. In Rome, we saw famous landmarks including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon, we then explored magnificent Florence with its Renaissance art and architecture before Venice enchanted us with its labyrinthine canals and historic St Mark's square.

Leaving Chambéry after breakfast this morning, we travel by First Class rail to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, we change trains, to join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. Enjoying a light meal at your seats, we arrive in London this evening, where your holiday ends.