A Grand Tour of Italy

We meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris. Here, we change trains and continue to the French city of Lyon. Sat on the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon boasts centuries of history within its handsome city centre, and we spend the night here in a local hotel.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

Leaving Lyon, we travel to Milan in Italy. Here, we board the train to Rome, a world-class city and treasure trove of historic and cultural delights. Also known as the 'Eternal City', Rome is a place that offers its visitors seemingly eternal moments of discovery. From the remains of the ancient Roman Empire, including the world-famous Colosseum, to its striking Baroque fountains and enticing side streets lined with quaint cafes, there's a whole host of enticing things to discover here. We check into our hotel for three nights.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We're introduced to the cultural highlights of Rome on a guided tour that takes us to its most iconic landmarks. We see the incredible Colosseum, one of the most familiar symbols of Ancient Rome and an awesome sight to behold up close. We also see the Roman Forum, the centre of Roman public life for centuries, and the Trevi Fountain, a Baroque masterpiece that's arguably one of Rome's most beautiful sights. We pause en-route at Giolitti, the oldest gelateria in the city. Here we enjoy a taste of the ice cream that's said to be a favourite of Pope John Paul II, in the charming surrounds of the same parlour that Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck visited in the 1953 film 'Roman Holiday'.

• Breakfast

Today's guided tour takes us to some of Rome's lesser-known gems. We visit the Quartiere Coppedè district, where a blend of Baroque, ancient Greek, Art Nouveau, and medieval structures give the area a whimsical quality. We continue to the Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo. This is one of Rome's most unique churches; dramatic frescoes line the circular walls inside, each depicting the death of a martyr. Finally, we visit bohemian Trastevere, known as Rome's 'foodie' neighbourhood, where we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon is free. Perhaps visit Vatican City and see the peaceful Sistine Chapel, taking in its breathtaking frescoes painted by artists including Michelangelo and Botticelli.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We travel by rail to Florence, the Renaissance capital of the world, where we spend three nights. This afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of the city's treasures. We visit the Duomo, with its iconic red-tiled dome that dominates the city skyline. Built between 1296 and 1436, it's found in the appropriately named 'Piazza del Duomo', where alongside the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile - a free-standing bell tower - it boasts UNESCO World Heritage status. We also visit the beautiful Ponte Vecchio, a famous 14th- century bridge that's home to 43 jewellers' shops.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You're free to discover Florence, the 'jewel of the Renaissance', at your own pace. Picturesque, narrow streets and handsome squares, including the Piazza della Signoria - the people-watching centre of Florence - are only part of the city's charm. Much of the beauty of the city is found indoors, with one fifth of the world's Renaissance art kept and displayed in Florence's museums, galleries, churches, monasteries and palaces. You could visit the famous Uffizi Gallery to admire the 1,700 masterpieces housed here. Or, you could visit Boboli Gardens. Designed for the Medici family, the gardens opened in 1766 and feature splendid fountains and statues.

• Breakfast

We travel by rail across rural Tuscany, where rolling hillsides and olive groves line our route. We arrive in Pisa, a city famous for its leaning tower. On a guided tour here, we discover the Field of Miracles, seeing the Leaning Tower and the white marble Duomo, with its sublime Moorish mosaics. We continue to Lucca, a wonderful, historic city filled with beauty. The heart of the city is filled with charming piazzas, small churches and fabulous art galleries, linked by narrow, cobbled streets and intricate passageways, and you have free time here to explore.

• Breakfast

We travel by rail to the 'Floating City' of Venice. An intricate network of lagoons and canals makes Venice one of the most unique cities in the world, and its renowned for its incredible art and architecture. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel on the island of Murano, where we stay for three nights, before heading to a local restaurant for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We get to the heart of Venice today on an insightful guided city tour. We head to St Mark's Square, the heart and soul of the city for centuries with its blend of intriguing architecture. The bustling square is surrounded by landmark buildings, including the Basilica di San Marco, a true symbol of Venetian glory, covered in spectacular mosaic marble carvings. We also see the Doge's Palace, overlooking the square and the lagoon beyond. The palace is a historic political powerhouse and served as the residence of the Doge of Venice. Today, it's preserved as a fascinating museum. This afternoon you're free to continue exploring Venice at your own pace.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a day free to soak up the atmosphere of the romantic city of Venice. For a bird's eye view, climb the Campanile di San Marco, which offers incredible vistas over the centre and shimmering lagoons further out. Otherwise, Venice lends itself perfectly to idle wandering. Possibly the best way to enjoy its captivating charms is to let yourself get lost in the myriad of winding alleys and twisting lanes that make up the city centre. This evening, we head into the heart of Venice for a farewell meal in an elegant Venetian palace - a truly remarkable end to our adventures in Italy.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Bidding a fond farewell to Venice, we take the train to Turin. Turin boasts a fantastic architectural heritage and is rich in beautiful green parks, spacious boulevards and airy squares lined with grand buildings. We check into a local hotel here where we spend the night.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Turin, we continue by rail to Paris. Once in the French capital, we change trains and join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal