A thrilling train journey through the heart of picturesque Italy. After you enjoy the lovely scenery, spend three nights each exploring the wonders of Venice, Florence and Rome.

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• Rome:Views of the Forum and the Circus Maximus and guided visits of the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.
• Florence:Walking tour of the city of Florence. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce and the tombs of Italy’s great men. Guided visit of the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence including Michelangelo’s David.
• Pisa:See the Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles.
• Venice:Canal cruise by private launch. Guided walking tour of ‘Secret Venice’ to the Rialto Bridge and famous fish market. See St. Mark's Square, the Byzantine Basilica, Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a Murano glass-blowing workshop.
• Scenic drives Tiber Valley, Umbrian hills, Tuscany, Apennine hills, Venetian Plain.

• All hotel service charges and tips, hotel baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
• The services of professional, multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in Rome, Florence and Venice.
• Express ‘Pendolino’ train from Rome to Florence.
• Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• Express train from Florence to Venice.
• 11 Meals
• Airport transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 10.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.
• Porterage is not included at train stations.
• Transfers on Day 1 at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30, 15.30 and 18.45. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport at 08.00.

Day 1 - Arrive Rome (3 nights)
Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy! After check-in you have time to relax or to take a walk around the Eternal City before meeting up with your travelling companions and Tour Director tonight for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Palatino (3 nights)

Day 2 - Rome sightseeing
Michelangelo spent 11 years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but you will have a little less time to admire it on your included visit of the chapel inside the Vatican Museums! The guided tour will continue with a visit of St. Peter’s Basilica before you cross the River Tiber to ancient Rome. Here you will overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus where chariot races took place and then you will visit the mighty Colosseum. Later, you have time at leisure to perhaps explore the city further or to sit at a pavement café on the Via Veneto and watch the world go by. This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 3 - Rome at leisure
A full day to enjoy the many attractions this beguiling city has to offer. You can take a trip to visit the Catacombs on the outskirts of the city or maybe venture into the Roman countryside to the perched town of Tivoli to visit the house and gardens of the Villa d’Este. This evening, why not throw a coin in the Trevi fountain to ensure your return one day to the Eternal City. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4 - Rome – High-speed train – Florence (3 nights)
You are transferred to Rome’s mainline station to board the high-speed ‘Pendolino’ train to Florence. After a comfortable journey (2 hours 29 minutes) through pretty countryside seeing hilltop villages and towns, you arrive in this perfect Renaissance city. On arrival, your Florentine guide will welcome us to the city so loved by Dante, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci! You’ll enjoy astounding views from Piazzale Michelangelo, and afterwards, you will go on a walking tour of the medieval and Renaissance quarters, highlighting the Holy Cross Basilica with the tombs of almost all of the greatest men Italy has produced including Michelangelo. We’ll visit the Fine Arts Academy where you will see perhaps the most famous work of the Renaissance – Michelangelo’s ‘David’ and, of course, you’ll visit the Piazza Signoria with its wonderful sculptures. The Tour Director will also disclose the location of one of the city’s Hidden Treasures to us and tonight you will enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local cuisine in a typical trattoria. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Hotel: Lorenzo Il Magnifico (3 nights)

Day 5 - Florence – Excursion to Pisa
A short drive by coach along the Arno Valley will bring you to the one-time maritime city of Pisa. Although famous for its incredibly Leaning Tower, Pisa has a lot more to offer - a beautifully sculpted marble cathedral, the delicate lacework of its baptistery as well as a cemetery, which is said to have soil brought from Calvary in the Holy Land. Time to explore these sights in the aptly named Square of Miracles before returning to Florence. Why not shop for bargains in high quality leather goods and 18-carat gold jewellery before perhaps trying out some fine Tuscan wines in one of the city’s many wine bars this evening (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6 - Florence at leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure to take advantage of this historically rich and attractive city. Apart from the obvious museums, there are beautiful gardens such as the Boboli and wonderful palaces to visit such as the Pitti Palace. And a little way outside of the city, in the heart of Chianti, there are many villages with fine wines and wonderful markets. Florence is also a centre for fashion so even if you do not actually shop, it’s wonderful to wander the elegant shopping streets and admire the goods in the sophisticated boutiques. This evening, you should try to take a trip into the Chianti hills for dinner! (Buffet breakfast)

Day 7 - Florence – Express Train – Venice (3 nights)
All aboard the express train for Venice! A wonderful morning of scenery as the train passes through the Apennine hills and down to the Veneto plain. Soon you reach the city of Venice, its ornate gothic and Renaissance palaces beautifully reflected in the Venetian lagoon. This evening, what would be better as an introduction to this enchanting place than a gondola ride along the picturesque canals. Tonight you’ll enjoy dinner at the hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Bellini (3 nights)

Day 8 - Venice – Canal Cruise and orientation
Savour the sights and sounds of this Byzantine city as you cruise across to St. Mark’s Square by private launch. You’ll see the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian Churches, the Customs House, Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Basilica and Campanile as well as the Doge's Palace on your orientation of the city. A stroll across St. Mark’s Square will bring us to one of the oldest glass-blowing workshops on the islands to witness how this ancient craft is performed. Then you are free to perhaps visit the Fine Arts Academy, to spend some time at one of the cafés on St. Mark’s Square – the most elegant drawing room in Europe – or to enjoy a lagoon cruise to one of the 200 or so islands of the lagoon for a delicious seafood lunch! (Buffet breakfast)

Day 9 - Secret Venice walking tour & visit to the market
Today with your local guide you enjoy a guided commentary using an audio system. This will bring the city to life as you cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. You cross the Rialto and visit the colourful fish market, which has existed for centuries, and then enjoy a walking tour through the 'calle' seeing sites such as the house of Marco Polo, and other interesting and beautiful works of art. The balance of the day is at leisure. This evening you get together with your fellow travellers and celebrate the last night of your touring experience at a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 10 - Venice – USA
This morning wish Italy ‘arrivederci’ as your memorable Italian tour comes to an end and you return home with wonderful memories. (Buffet breakfast)

Vacation start dates from Rome, Italy:

May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct

4, 11*, 18, 25 1, 8*, 15, 22*, 29 6*, 13, 20*, 27 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 7, 14*, 21, 28* 5, 12, 19, 26

*Preferred Departure