Working for a travel company means every day is filled with inspiration. The Great Rail Journeys team is constantly working to find sought-after locations and piece together unforgettable vacations around the globe, and it is hard not to catch the travel bug. Italy is somewhere that has long been at the top of my list, and this summer I had the pleasure of experiencing it in the best possible way with Great Rail Journeys' First-Class Italy: Featuring Tuscany & Venice.
This incredible journey takes travelers through some of the country's most iconic destinations. From the winding canals of Venice and the colorful islands of Murano and Burano to the rolling hills of Tuscany, the historic streets of Florence and Rome, and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, the trip was packed with unforgettable experiences.
Beginning the Journey in Venice
The first leg of our journey began in Venice, where we stayed at a lovely hotel on the Venetian island of Lido. In Venice, there are several ways to get around by water, including water taxis, water buses, and, of course, gondolas. With Venice made up of numerous islands, the water bus is a budget-friendly way to travel between them and explore more of the lagoon. But I'd encourage you to take a water taxi at least once. Cruising through the gorgeous city in your own private boat makes you feel like a movie star!
The group took a boat to the Venice mainland, where we met our local Italian guide for a walking tour. As we wandered through the city, our guide shared stories and little-known facts about Venice. At one point, she paused beside a display of ornate Venetian masks and told us, "These masks weren't always just for Carnival. For centuries, Venetians wore them to conceal their identities, allowing people from different social classes to mingle freely-and, perhaps, get away with a little mischief!"
The rest of our day was free to explore on our own, so we stopped for gelato and hopped on a gondola. In my opinion, if you're in Venice, you must try a gondola ride. There is no experience quite like traveling through the ancient city the same way locals have for centuries. Fun fact, the first written record of a gondola dates to 1094.
A Glimpse at Venice's Other Islands
Our time in Venice also brought a chance to visit Burano, the island famous for its traditional lace-making. Brightly colored houses lined the canals, with many of the doorways covered with beautiful pieces of fabric. The lace-making tradition is becoming a rarity, with just six traditional lacemakers remaining on the island. We felt lucky to meet one of these skilled artisans at work in a local shop. Watching her create the intricate lace by hand gave us an appreciation for the time, patience, and skill behind this centuries-old tradition.
We were also able to purchase some of the beautiful handmade pieces in the store. Lastly, we visited Murano during our free time and had the chance to watch a live glass-blowing demonstration. It was amazing to see a piece being created before our eyes, shaped from a glowing piece of molten glass into a finished work of art. Murano was also dotted with gelato spots, restaurants and cafés, making it the perfect place to stop for a light lunch and soak up the island's atmosphere.
Soaking up Italy's Romance in Tuscany
The first rail journey of this tour took us toward Tuscany and the charming spa town of Montecatini Terme. This historic resort is famous for its natural thermal waters and feels like a completely different side of Italy - slower, more relaxed and beautifully lush, with olive groves and orchards all around.
During our three-night stay, we had plenty of chances to soak up the local atmosphere. One evening, we took the nearby funicular up the hill to the medieval town of Montecatini Alto. Used by locals since 1898, this is still one of the most popular ways to travel between the towns. In Montecatini Alto, we enjoyed dinner at one of the restaurants before reboarding the funicular - just in time to watch the sun start to sink beneath the horizon.
Montecatini Terme's location also made it a fantastic base for our explorations, including to Tuscany's capital, Florence. After traveling to the "Cradle of the Renaissance" by train, we met our local guide for a walking tour past some of Florence's most famous sights, including the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi, before continuing past the Uffizi Gallery. The tour concluded at the 14th-century Ponte Vecchio, overlooking the Arno River.
Along the way, our guide pointed out one of Florence's more unusual pieces of history: "wine windows." These are tiny openings in the walls of historic buildings and date to the 1500s, when wealthy families used them to sell wine directly from their homes to passersby. Today, around 170 of these little windows can still be found throughout Florence, with some even brought back to life, serving wine and treats. It was the kind of quirky history that you could easily walk past without ever knowing the story.
Uncovering the Gems of Tuscany and Luguria
A highlight of our stay in Tuscany was our evening at Tenuta Torciano, a beautiful wine estate near San Gimignano that has been in the same family since it was built in 1720. We toured the vineyards before sitting down to dinner paired with wines produced right there on the estate - some aged for 30 years. Surrounded by the beautiful Tuscan countryside, it was easy to understand why filmmakers have been inspired by this region, including nearby Val d'Orcia, which was used as a filming location for Gladiator.
Heading into the nearby region of Liguria, we also had a chance to absorb the beauty of the Italian Riviera, where we explored the five medieval villages of the Cinque Terre. Many of the villages are only accessible by boat or along clifftop footpaths, and traveling by boat gave us a magnificent perspective of the coastline and the villages perched above the sea. We stopped in Monterosso and Vernazza with free time in both to experience the classic Italian summer and feel completely immersed in la dolce vita.
Two days in Italy's ancient capital
And then it was on to Rome. One of the world's most recognizable cities, this timeless metropolis is awash in centuries-old sites yet retains a stylish, modern atmosphere that makes it truly unforgettable. Here's a tip: In your free time in Rome, make your way to the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, also known as the "Wedding Cake," located between Piazza Venezia and Capitoline Hill. We headed up there around golden hour, just at the beginning of sunset, and it was surprisingly quiet. The monument offers fantastic views across Rome and toward the Colosseum, making it a magical location to visit before dinner.
We spent the evening having dinner with our group, enjoying local wines and trying Roman specialties - the perfect ending to our first evening in the city.
The next day, we got a proper look at the many layers of history we glimpsed last night on a guided sightseeing tour. Our expert guide unveiled 2,000 years of stories, as we walked through the city, with sightseeing favorites, such as the Roman Form and the Pantheon, setting the backdrop as we explored.
After making a wish at the Trevi Fountain, we wrapped up our time in Rome at leisure. I took this opportunity to enjoy more of the local cuisine - the perfect conclusion to a day of exploring.
Cinematic scenes at the Colosseum
By and large, the most incredible stop on our guided walking tour was the Colosseum. This site was the starting point for our explorations and the location where we spent the most time, and every moment was wrapped in poignant history.
In addition to seeing where the 50,000 spectators sat to watch the show unfold, we also had the opportunity to see the tunnels where the gladiators walked out to meet their fates. The battlefield at the center of the arena was incredible, and while it has been depicted on the big screen so many times, actually looking upon it and picturing the fights that took place there is something I will never forget.
Ending our journey on the Amalfi Coast
Traveling by First Class rail, we ventured toward the final base of this memorable vacation, coastal Sorrento. Our train took us to Naples, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, and then we continued by coach toward our destination. Before arriving, we visited Agriturismo La Sorgente, a traditional farmhouse set on a large agricultural estate run by the same family for generations. We said hello to the animals, including pigs, cows, chickens and geese, before watching a mozzarella-making demonstration. We then enjoyed a dinner made with fresh produce from the farm, indulging in homemade mozzarella and limoncello while overlooking the rolling hills and lemon trees of Sorrento. It was an introduction to the culture of the Amalfi Coast.
The next day, we boarded a boat with our group and set off along the stunning Amalfi Coast. Our cruise first took us to the town of Amalfi, where there were plenty of ways to spend the day, whether lounging on the beach, swimming in the sea, or wandering through the classic buildings, perhaps stopping for lunch or shopping. It was incredibly hot in mid-July, so many of us decided to take it easy on the beach, soaking up the sun and the beautiful and laid-back surroundings. Our cruise also took us to Positano, where candy-colored buildings invited us to explore with free time.
Preserved Scenes of Pompeii
One final excursion, one final look at Italy's endless culture; on our final day in Italy, we took a short train journey to the fascinating preserved city of Pompeii. Alongside an expert, we uncovered what daily life was like in 79 A.D., before the city was cloaked in ash - and forever preserved - by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Our guide gave us plenty to think about as we wandered amongst homes, bathhouses and religious and government buildings. What was most surprising was that you could even see original wall murals and frescoes!
Unimaginable Italy
And that was it! What an incredible journey through Italy, ticking off so many experiences from our bucket lists along the way. From gliding through the canals of Venice and watching traditional crafts being made in Murano and Burano, to the beauty of Tuscany, the excitement of Rome, and the stunning Amalfi Coast, every stop offered something completely different.
My personal highlight was Florence, a city I absolutely fell in love with and would love to return to. This trip gave us such a wonderful taste of Italy, and I'm already looking forward to the next adventure!
Feeling inspired? Your Italian vacation is only a few clicks away. Whether you want to embark on a First-Class tour that showcases all the highlights, a journey from Top to Toe, or want to uncover lesser-known regions like Puglia or Umbria, Great Rail Journeys puts the best of Italy within reach.
