Iconic First-Class Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome

Your vacation begins today as you arrive in Rome, historically considered the center of the world. From the remains of the ancient Roman Empire to its Baroque fountains and cafés, the "Eternal City" has endless places to experience, and after checking into the hotel for two nights, you can delve into its many dimensions.

You might like to find a seat in one of the lively piazzas, getting a taste of local life while having a glass of wine or an espresso, or begin wandering along the city's ancient streets, where history and modern amenities collide. Of course, you could also get your first taste of sightseeing by seeking out some of the famed attractions for which the city is known.

Returning to the hotel this evening, meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers and enjoy your first dinner together in the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Rome.

• Dinner

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. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

Our journey through iconic Italy continues by First Class 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 at leisure for the rest of the afternoon. You may be inspired to see Michelangelo's statue of David - you 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. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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 of vineyards and cypress trees before the distinctive towers of this enchanting hilltop town 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 famous for its 14 towers - the number of towers in has dwindled from around 65 in the Middle Ages, but the skyline is so unique that it has been dubbed the "Medieval Manhattan." The town 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 and dine independently. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

This morning, we travel by First Class rail through rural Tuscany's golden 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 - you can pick up a map at the Tourist Office to help navigate the maze-like centre. 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. 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. Florentine cuisine is famous for its rustic dishes using local ingredients, such as Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a traditional steak dish. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast, we board a First Class service 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. Overnight Murano.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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 the rest of your day free, 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, before we gather again for our final dinner together at the hotel. Overnight Murano.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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

Upon checking out of our hotel in Venice this morning, your iconic Italian vacation comes to a close and you are free to begin your onward travels or journey home.

• Breakfast