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Italian escorted rail holidays

World-class art, architecture and gastronomy; Italy needs little introduction. Uncover spellbinding history from Florence, the 'Jewel of the Renaissance', to the centuries of art and culture tucked away in the sacred halls of Vatican City. Of course, there's perhaps no greater way to uncover the culture of a destination than through its food, and dining here is a real treat. Think crispy, woodfired pizza, creamy gelato, and deliciously fresh pasta, perhaps accompanied by a crisp Pinot Grigio or fruity Chianti.

Exploring Italy by train is by far and away the easiest and most comfortable way to see this historic country thanks to an extensive rail network that offers fast and reliable services giving you the opportunity to admire Italy's wonderful landscapes.

 

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Holiday ideas for Italy

Simply Lake Garda
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.3 stars(144 reviews)
2023MayJunJulAugSepOct
10 days from
£1,595 pp £1,495 pp
View Details
The Italian Riviera
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.0 stars(91 reviews)
2023AprMayJunAugSepOct
10 days from
£2,095 pp £1,945 pp
View Details
Highlights of Tuscany
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.0 stars(68 reviews)
2023AprMayJunJulAug...
10 days from
£1,695 pp £1,645 pp
View Details
Sirmione on Lake Garda
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.3 stars(126 reviews)
2023AprMayJunJulAug...
10 days from
£1,895 pp £1,845 pp
View Details
Varenna
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
3.9 stars(56 reviews)
2023MayJunJulAugSepOct
10 days from
£2,095 pp £1,995 pp
View Details
A Grand Tour of Italy
Small Group
4.7 stars(33 reviews)
2023MayJunSepOct
12 days from
£4,190 pp
View Details
Puglia & Basilicata
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
3.9 stars(61 reviews)
2023MayJunSepOct
12 days from
£2,295 pp £2,245 pp
View Details
Rome, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
3.7 stars(65 reviews)
2023AprMayJunAugSepOct
12 days from
£2,995 pp £2,845 pp
View Details

Where to go and what to see

Top 5 destinations

Amalfi Coast

 

  • Rome
  • Venice
  • Lake Garda
  • Portofino
  • Amalfi Coast

Find out more

Top 5 sights

Alberobello

 

  • Colosseum - Rome
  • Leaning Tower - Pisa
  • Pompeii
  • Trulli - Alberobello
  • Cinque Terre

Find out more

Expert opinions & guides

Destination information & travelling tips

Currency

Euro (€)

Main language

Italian

Capital city

Rome

Timezone

Central European Standard Time (Greenwich Mean Time plus 1 hour).

Travel times

Eight hours by rail to Northern Italy (Turin). Flight times vary between 3-5 hours, depending on whereabouts in the country you fly to/from.

When to travel

Italy is known for its warm weather and Mediterranean climes throughout the year. In summer, head to the Tuscan hills, the shores of the great lakes or the beaches of the Italian Riviera, where fresh breezes help to keep things cool. Spring and autumn are best for visiting the big cities when the crowds are smaller, and the famous art galleries and museums aren't so busy. In winter, the Dolomites and Alps provide a wintry backdrop to some of the country's chicest resorts.

What to pack

What to pack depends largely on where you go and when. If you're travelling at the hottest time of year (June-August), you'll want to make sure you've got plenty of loose, preferably linen, clothes as well as suncream, sunglasses and a hat. If you're visiting places of worship, make sure not to wear shorts (men and women), while ladies will need to ensure they have something that can cover their shoulders. A waterproof in case of inclement weather and a light jacket or two for cooler evenings are also recommended; don't forget your swimsuit if you want to cool off with a swim! If you're travelling in the shoulder months, then layers are a good idea as they leave you prepared for whatever the weather has to throw at you, and a sturdy pair of water-resistant shoes will keep you comfortable on excursion days.

Local customs and cultures

Religion, food and family are some of the most important traditions across Italy. The country is predominantly Catholic and modest dress is required for men and women when you visit any of its places of worship. While eating out, don't expect the high turnover of tables that you see in many restaurants in the UK; meals here are meant to be savoured, with adults and children alike choosing from the same menu. While there are a few exceptions, even in the big cities, most eateries focus on traditional Italian food, so if you feel like you need a carb break, it's worth doing a bit of research about the different cuisines available in the destinations you'll be visiting. This will also help you ensure you try the specialities of each region you travel through. Coffee drinking has some fundamental rules in Italy, with lattes, cappuccinos and any other milky coffee reserved for breakfast time only, espressos, however, are acceptable any time of day, or night! You'll have no problem being understood speaking English pretty much anywhere you go in Italy, but like most countries, they do appreciate a little bit of the local lingo, so be sure to brush up on the basics before you go.

18 results matching: Italy

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Europe 2023

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Simply Lake Garda
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.3 stars(144 reviews)
2023MayJunJulAugSepOct
10 days from
£1,595 pp £1,495 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£1,595
£1,495
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
The Italian Riviera
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.0 stars(91 reviews)
2023AprMayJunAugSepOct
10 days from
£2,095 pp £1,945 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£2,095
£1,945
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Highlights of Tuscany
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.0 stars(68 reviews)
2023AprMayJunJulAug...
10 days from
£1,695 pp £1,645 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£1,695
£1,645
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Sirmione on Lake Garda
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.3 stars(126 reviews)
2023AprMayJunJulAug...
10 days from
£1,895 pp £1,845 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£1,895
£1,845
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Bari, Italy
Rail Discoveries
2023AprMayJunSepOct
8 days from
£949 pp
View Details
Rail Discoveries
8 days from
£949
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsLondon Gatwick
  • TransportFlight, Coach
Map and accommodation
Sirmione, Lake Garda
Rail Discoveries
2023AprMayJunJulAug...
10 days from
£1,499 pp
View Details
Rail Discoveries
10 days from
£1,499
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation

Europe 2023

Order your rail holiday brochure today

Order today
Save up to £150pp
12 days from
£2,995
£2,795
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Italy
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Varenna
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
3.9 stars(56 reviews)
2023MayJunJulAugSepOct
10 days from
£2,095 pp £1,995 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£2,095
£1,995
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly, Switzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
A Grand Tour of Italy
Small Group
4.7 stars(33 reviews)
2023MayJunSepOct
12 days from
£4,190 pp
View Details
12 days from
£4,190
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Puglia & Basilicata
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
3.9 stars(61 reviews)
2023MayJunSepOct
12 days from
£2,295 pp £2,245 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
12 days from
£2,295
£2,245
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International / St Pancras International, London Gatwick
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Rome, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
3.7 stars(65 reviews)
2023AprMayJunAugSepOct
12 days from
£2,995 pp £2,845 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
12 days from
£2,995
£2,845
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Stresa & Lake Maggiore
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.0 stars(33 reviews)
2023MayJunJulAugSepOct
10 days from
£2,295 pp £2,245 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£2,295
£2,245
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Our customers love our Italy tours
Rome, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
04 Nov 2022
Mark Warrick
5 stars
“A wonderful holiday with a varied itinerary that included history, spectacular scenery and sunny beaches. Rail travel was smooth and easy and we had some wonderful meals. The hotel in Sorrento was great but its breakfast coffee was best avoided - appalling for Italy - but that was the only poor aspect of a really good time. Tour manager was wonderful.
Collected by Trustpilot
A Grand Tour of Italy
26 Oct 2022
A Grandfield
5 stars
“Brilliant venues, great hotels, easy travel. All supported by a tour guide who had everything really well organised. Would recommend to anyone.
Collected by Trustpilot
Top to Toe of Italy
12 Oct 2022
J Red
5 stars
“We had a great time travelling from top to toe in Italy. The holiday was fast paced but each destination was worth the visit. We had excellent tour guides, excellent hotels in good locations and a superb tour manager who was well organised and well informed.
Collected by Trustpilot
Stresa and Lake Maggiore
03 Oct 2022
Jennifer Wotherspoon
5 stars
“A wonderful holiday, very efficiently organised and very amiable company
Collected by Trustpilot
Lakes and Mountains of Switzerland and Italy
24 Sep 2022
Mr Joe Bannister
5 stars
“Friendly group really well organised holiday and great fun
Collected by Trustpilot
The Magic of Sicily
17 Oct 2019
Mrs A Coleman
5 stars
“good facilities well organised
Collected by Great Rail Journeys
Simply Lake Garda
10 Nov 2022
David Firmin
4 stars
“A very enjoyable trip helped by very fine weather and good company. We have several friends who have expressed strong interest and are quite likely to participate in future.
Collected by Trustpilot
Sirmione on Lake Garda
06 Nov 2022
Alan Smith
4 stars
“A tiring holiday but a very good experience
Collected by Trustpilot
The Italian Riviera
30 Oct 2022
C Shead
4 stars
“Had a very enjoyable holiday. The weather was perfect. Had a good group, and a very good Tour Manager.
Collected by Trustpilot
Get in touch with one of our Italy Specialists

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