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A Grand Tour of Italy

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4.7 stars(34 reviews)
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Small Group

Experience the unmissable sights and hidden gems of Italy

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
12 days Sold out

2023 Tour code: IEG23

About the tour

Join us on a discovery tour of Italy's artistic and cultural treasures as we head to the Vatican in Rome, explore the rich culture of Renaissance Florence, and visit Pisa's iconic Leaning Tower. In enchanting Venice, our holiday ends with a memorable dinner at a traditional Venetian restaurant.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London and Turin

We meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris. Here, we change trains and continue to the Italian city of Turin where we spend the night in a local hotel.

Please Note: For departure 18/06/2023 you will overnight in Chambery

Includes
  • Dinner
  • Eurostar Meal
Day 2 - Rome

Leaving Turin, we travel to Milan in Italy. Here, we board the train to glorious Rome, known as the 'Eternal City'. From ancient Roman monuments to timeless Baroque fountains and enticing trattorias, there are endless things to discover. From the remains of the ancient Roman Empire, including the world-famous Colosseum, to its striking Baroque fountains and enticing cafés. We have three nights in Rome to explore.

Please Note: For departure 08/10/2023 you will stay at the Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo, in Rome

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Rome

We're introduced to Rome's most iconic landmarks on a guided tour. These include the awe-inspiring Colosseum and the Roman Forum. We visit the romantic Trevi Fountain and pause at Giolitti, the oldest gelateria in the city. There we enjoy gelato in the same charming parlour visited by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the classic film 'Roman Holiday'.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - The Vatican

Today we take a guided tour of the Vatican City, home of the Pope and an astonishing collection of art and architecture. Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican is home to the Pope as well as a vault of art and architecture. The Vatican Museums house ancient Roman sculptures and some of the world's greatest Renaissance treasures. Not least, we experience the breathtaking frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Botticelli.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Florence

We travel by rail to Florence, the Renaissance capital of the world, where we spend three nights. In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour, visiting the striking terracotta-tiled Duomo, that dominates the city skyline. This beautiful cathedral has UNESCO World Heritage status. We also see the Ponte Vecchio, a famous 14th-century bridge now occupied by dozens of jewellery shops.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Florence

Today you're free to discover Florence 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 its 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 view its many masterpieces. Or, you may like to walk through the vast and impressive Boboli Gardens, a relaxing green space with great views of the city and beyond. Designed for the Medici family, the gardens opened in 1766 and feature ornate fountains and statues.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Pisa and Lucca

We travel by rail across rural Tuscany, among rolling hillsides and olive groves. We arrive in Pisa for a guided tour that introduces us to the Field of Miracles, where we see the Leaning Tower and the white marble Duomo. We continue to Lucca, a beautiful walled medieval city of open piazzas, stunning mosaiced churches, art galleries and gardens.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 - Venice

We travel by rail to the 'Floating City' of Venice. Known locally as La Serenissima, an intricate network of lagoons and canals makes Venice one of the most unique cities in the world. It is renowned as much for the unique light of its lagoons and canals, as for its 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 - Venice

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 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 10 - Venice

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 it is to let yourself get lost in the myriad of winding canals and lanes that make up the city. You may also like to visit the Peggy Guggenheim gallery, or take a gondola ride through the city's luminous canals, a time-honoured experience, and the perfect way to soak up the romance of the city.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 - Chambéry

Saying farewell to Venice, we take the train to Chambéry where we spend the night. Chambéry is an attractive city, set beneath the Rhone Alps. The town has a handsome cathedral, and its central square - Place Saint-Leger - is surrounded by historic monuments and colourful tall houses and several outdoor restaurants.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 - Chambéry and London 

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

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Eurostar Meal

Additional information

- Travel Options

We offer a Standard Class and First Class rail options for departures on this tour. You can find out which class each departure is by clicking on the information button in the pricing grid.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel de la Ville

Hotel de la Ville, Florence

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Starhotels Michelangelo, Florence

Starhotels Michelangelo, Florence

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Bettoja Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio, Rome

Bettoja Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio, Rome

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Hyatt Centric Murano Venice, Murano

Hyatt Centric Murano Venice, Murano

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Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome

Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome

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Trains

Eurostar
Frecciargento
Frecciarossa
TGV
Trenitalia

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Inclusive Luggage Upgrade
Extending your European holiday in Paris
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.7 stars4.7 / 5 · 34 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (25)
  2. 4 stars
    (8)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Michael

5 stars

Submitted 25/May

Well organised, taking in all of the important sites of Rome, Florence and Venice. Amazing Tour Manager who stepped in to resolve any issues promptly and with care.

Collected by Trustpilot

A Grandfield

5 stars

Submitted 26 Oct 2022

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

Malcolm Martin

5 stars

Submitted 21 Oct 2022

This was a brilliant experience. Everything was extremely well organised, with a tour manager travelling with us. There were a few early starts, some crowded rail stations but all well worth it. In terms of what we wanted to do in Italy it could hardly have been better.

Collected by Trustpilot

Mrs L Rugg

5 stars

Submitted 11 Oct 2022

Wonderful tour, Great Rail Journeys are the best.

Collected by Trustpilot

Pat Trenaman

5 stars

Submitted 09 Oct 2022

Our first GRJ holiday which delivered beyond our expectations.

Collected by Trustpilot

L Jack

4 stars

Submitted 06 Oct 2022

Great trip! We would have liked more time in both Rome and Florence. Side trip to Pisa and Lucca could be discontinued. Our guide, Lisa, was wonderful. The quality of hotels were first rate. We would strongly recommend this tour.

Collected by Trustpilot

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