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 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

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

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

• Breakfast, Dinner

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'.

• Breakfast

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.

• Breakfast

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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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.

• Breakfast

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.

• Breakfast

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.

• Breakfast

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.

• 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 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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal