Experience six iconic Italian cities, including Rome, Venice and Florence, exploring their great monuments, cultural and artistic landscapes with guided tours and time at leisure

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras this morning, meeting the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar for our journey to Paris. Travelling in Eurostar Plus class, we are served a light meal at our seats.

In the French capital, we change trains and continue by First Class rail to Turin. As our afternoon journey into northern Italy progresses, we encounter snow-capped alpine peaks, before arriving in Turin where we spend the night. After checking in to our hotel, we dine at a local restaurant in this dynamic Italian city.

With a morning free in Turin there's time to explore your surroundings. The city is an important centre of business, finance and technology - but is also a showcase of Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture. Fringed by the Italian Alps, the city's wide boulevards and grand public squares are lined with cafés and bars.

This afternoon we travel by rail to Rome, still regarded by many as the centre of the world. From the remains of the ancient Roman Empire to its Baroque fountains and cafés, there are countless places to experience in the 'Eternal City' and we have two nights here to explore.

After checking in, we sit down to dinner at our hotel.

Please Note - For departures 10th May, 6th September and 4th October we will stay at The Hive Hotel in Rome

Waking in glorious Rome, we discover the city's iconic landmarks on a guided tour. Starting at the Colosseum, we view the exterior of this magnificent amphitheatre before passing the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia and the Roman Pantheon. After stopping for a refreshment at Giolitti, the city's oldest gelateria, our tour ends in Piazza Navona - a lively square bordered by cafés and restaurants, where you're free to experience Rome's beauty at your own pace for the rest of the day.

Around 15 minutes' walk away is the acclaimed Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. You could climb the steps to reach Pincian Hill and Villa Borghese park with its landscaped gardens, where you can view art and sculpture in the Borghese Gallery. Across the historic Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II which spans the River Tiber is St Peter's Square and the Vatican City. If you'd like to visit the Vatican, we recommend booking ahead online.

Rome offers an array of inviting eateries, many alfresco, where you can enjoy a fresh pasta dish or a slice of pizza al taglio with a glass of wine, and watch the world go by.

Our journey into iconic Italy continues by rail to Florence, the Renaissance capital of the world. After checking in to our central four-star hotel, there is time to relax or to find lunch independently.

This afternoon we set out with a local guide to explore this extraordinary city. Our tour takes in the striking terracotta-tiled Duomo, and the ornate free-standing campanile tower designed by Giotto. We also pass the Santa Maria Novella Church and its piazza and the legendary Ponte Vecchio, the city's renowned medieval bridge lined with jewellery shops. Florence has many grand squares, and among the ones we walk through are Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Repubblica.

After our tour, you are free for the rest of the afternoon. You may be inspired to see Michelangelo's statue of David, and can visit the original at the Accademia or view impressive copies at Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo. You could choose to look around the market, Mercato di San Lorenzo, or enjoy an aperitif in a cool piazza before dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

Today's excursion is a trip to the walled medieval town of San Gimignano. Travelling by coach, the journey takes us south through classic Tuscan scenery where the distinctive towers of this enchanting hilltop town soon appear in the distance.

This delightful town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and we discover why as we walk through its atmospheric streets with our local guide. San Gimignano is also known for its cured Golden Ham, infused with saffron, its pecorino cheese and its white wine, and with free time over lunch you may like to sample some of these delicacies.

We return to our hotel in Florence at the end of the afternoon where you have an evening at leisure to spend as you wish.

This morning, we travel by rail through rural Tuscany's rolling hills and olive groves to visit two historic cities. Our first stop is Pisa, where a guided tour takes us to the Field of Miracles, to see the iconic Leaning Tower and the Romanesque Duomo in gleaming white marble. Next, we continue by train to Lucca, a beautiful walled city perfect for exploring on foot. To avoid getting lost in the maze-like historic centre, it may be wise to pick up a map at the Tourist Office.

Medieval Lucca has a striking Duomo, several other unique churches, and spacious piazzas. It's well worth seeking out Piazza Anfiteatro, once a Roman amphitheatre, now surrounded by small restaurants and cafés. Within the city walls is a botanical garden, art galleries, and the Baroque garden of Palazzo Pfanner, which features in the film 'Portrait of a lady' starring Nicole Kidman. For views across Lucca's terracotta rooftops, you could walk along the wide city walls. We return to Florence by rail in the early evening, and you are free to dine independently.

After a leisurely breakfast, we board the train to the floating city of Venice, a timeless and alluring destination. On arrival in the early afternoon, we are taken by private boat directly to the waterfront of our stylish four-star hotel on the island of Murano where we spend the next three nights. Your luggage will be transferred from Florence directly to the hotel. Away from the crowds of Venice, and with a more laid-back atmosphere, this picturesque island is actually a group of small islands joined by bridges, and it has a frequent ferry boat connection with the main island.

Renowned worldwide for its glass production heritage, Murano is more residential than the mainland and features traditional Venetian architecture with pretty canals of ochre-toned buildings. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore independently before we gather back at our hotel for dinner this evening.

After a short boat ride, we explore Venice on a guided walking tour. Known for its intricate network of lagoons and canals, Venice has enchanted visitors for centuries. Our guide shows us the church where Vivaldi was baptised, the evocative Bridge of Sighs, and St Mark's Square - the heart and soul of Venice for hundreds of years. Here, we admire the ornate exterior of St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.

With a free afternoon and evening you could admire the Byzantine interior of the basilica or visit any one of 170 churches. San Giorgio Maggiore is particularly beautiful with its stunning façade and Tintoretto artworks. Of course, the ultimate Venice experience is a gondola ride through the luminous canals.

The Peggy Guggenheim Gallery offers an interesting collection, canal views and a peaceful garden. The district of Dorsoduro has small venues where you could try tapas-style cicchetti, maybe with a prosecco or Aperol spritz. With a Vaporetto pass you can return to the hotel by water bus whenever you are ready. We gather again for dinner at the hotel this evening.

After breakfast in Venice, we say arrivederci to Italy as we begin our return journey. After a boat ride to the station in Venice we travel by rail across northern Italy to the stylish city of Milan, then change trains to Turin. From here, we travel by First Class rail to France. Arriving in the charming French town of Chambéry, we check in to our hotel near the station for an overnight stay. This evening we sit down with the rest of our group to the final dinner of our holiday at the hotel.

Our tour of Italy has introduced us to the country's most celebrated cities and iconic sights. In Rome, we saw famous landmarks including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon, we then explored magnificent Florence with its Renaissance art and architecture before Venice enchanted us with its labyrinthine canals and historic St Mark's square.

Leaving Chambéry after breakfast this morning, we travel by First Class rail to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, we change trains, to join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. Enjoying a light meal at your seats, we arrive in London this evening, where your holiday ends.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

With a smart and futuristic appearance, and sleek interiors, the Frecciargento can zip you across the magnificent colours and landscapes of Italy in a matter of hours. In English, its title means Silver Arrow and this fine locomotive can travel up to speeds of around 160 mph on certain routes.

Originally known as the Italian Eurostar, the Frecciargento forms part of Le Frecce, a series of high speed trains operating up and down the country. These trains are operated by the Trenitalia company, and were originally introduced in 1997 as the Eurostar. By 2012, the Italian Eurostar trains were changed into different categories, with Frecciarossa being the fastest and Frecciargento being the second fastest. Each Frecciargento train offers First and Standard Class along with a restaurant for comfortable dining.

Italy's fastest train, the Frecciarossa runs up to a top speed of 190mph and offers a slick and punctual service up and down Italy. Translating to the Red Arrow in English, the Frecciarossa is Trenitalia's premier rail service, offering four different classes - each one providing comfortable seats, air-conditioning and superb staff who are helpful and professional.

Originally known as the Italian Eurostar, the Frecciarossa forms part of Le Frecce, a series of national high speed trains. These trains are operated by Trenitalia, and were originally introduce in 1997 as the Eurostar. By 2012, the Italian Eurostar trains were changed into different categories, with Frecciarossa the fastest, Frecciargento the second fastest, and Frecciablanco, the least fast. The Frecciarossa offers Executive, Business, Premium and Standard Class and a well-stocked restaurant car.

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.

Connecting the romantic splendour of Italy, crisscrossing its way through Renaissance cities, along golden coastline and around ancient volcanoes, Trenitalia is Italy's superb rail network. Featuring an excellent fleet of well-maintained and modern trains, this rail company is owned by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, which is run by the Italian government. Operating regional and national services, Trenitalia prides itself on its punctuality and the huge range of services provided by the operator, several of these which include railways such as the Frecciarossia, the Frecciargento and the Frecciblanco services.

Italy by rail is simply stunning. From the flowing green hills and elegant cities of the north, to the Mediterranean climes and the enchanting beaches of the south, an Italian rail journey is not only one of the easiest ways to travel, but is also one of the most panoramic and beautiful. Circumnavigating the magnificent Mt Etna, gliding down the Amalfi Coast, entering the stunning Milan railway station, these are all experiences which are hugely enhanced from the comfort of an air-conditioned Trenitalia carriage.

On entering this impressive 4-Star hotel located near Rome's main railway station, you are greeted by a spectacular Art Deco lobby brimming with marble and mosaics. This sophisticated design continues throughout, with the elegant rooms containing Art Deco bedside tables and large marble bathrooms. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, minibar, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

The 4-Star Hyatt Centric Murano Venice is set within a former glass factory on the island of Murano and boasts contemporary finishings. The hotel has a restaurant with a a stylish bioclimatic greenhouse, a waterfront bar for all-day dining and a cocktail bar. The hotel's reception area features individually designed glass pieces from the famous glassmaker, Venini, while guest rooms are spacious, comfortable, and elegantly decorated. Each is equipped with air-conditioning, an ensuite bathroom, mini-bar, Sky television and free Wi-Fi.

The 4-Star Hotel Indigo is centrally located and within walking distance from sites including Santa Maria Novella, Piazza del Duomo di Firenze and San Marco Church. The hotel features a garden, a lounge, and a restaurant which serves a buffet breakfast. Guest rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with a minibar, complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, and a flatscreen TV with satellite channels.

Ideally located in central Rome, the 4-Star Hive Hotel is close to the station and the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. Features include a rooftop terrace, a restaurant and a bar. Guest rooms at the Hive Hotel are modern and bright, equipped with a flatscreen TV, minibar, a safety deposit box, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, complimentary slippers, toiletries and a hairdryer.

Many of our holidays include a final stopover in Paris en route to London. Why not extend your holiday by enjoying an extra night or two in the French capital, returning to London in your own time?

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

Enjoy hassle-free travel with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £199 per bag.

The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag as your luggage will be delivered direct to your first destination hotel. The luggage service is not available where you are flying to or from your destination and you will need to take your own luggage with you on the flight.