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Italy’s Grand Tour by Rail
A rail journey taking you across Italy visiting four cities and the Sorrento coast in 12 days.
Rail travel and Italy combine to make a pairing that’s absolutely packed with old-world romance, stunning scenes and eco-credentials. Add some 20th-Century speed and reliability and you’ve got yourselves an incredible country-spanning adventure ticking off (and easily linking) four poster-child cities and a lemon-infused, sun-soaked riviera coastline.
Itinerary overview
Criss-crossed canals and narrow streets, the City of Bridges is one of a kind. It quite rightly d...
Less than an hour-and-a-half’s rail ride away is fair Verona, a city synonymous with romance, Sha...
Travel by train from the edge of the Alpine foothills, across the Po Valley and up into the rolli...
Another relatively swift train journey takes you south to Rome, the cultural, historic and politi...
The journey comes to an end as you catch the train to Naples and onwards to Sorrento, the end of ...
Add on an island stay to your rail journey and experience a unique train-on-a-ferry ride. It’s a ...
Venice
Criss-crossed canals and narrow streets, the City of Bridges is one of a kind. It quite rightly draws the crowds but there are always quiet corners – as well as other Venice lagoon islands – where you can wander between leisurely coffee stops. Get lost in the alleyways and cross gondola-dotted waterways, shop for Murano glassware or Burano lace, and soak up the buzz on the Grand Canal and the Piazza San Marco. It’s every inch as magical as you’d dreamed it would be.
Verona
Less than an hour-and-a-half’s rail ride away is fair Verona, a city synonymous with romance, Shakespeare and remarkably intact Roman, Medieval and Renaissance architecture. As you navigate the historic streets so special they’ve been recognised by UNESCO, soak up the more modern restaurant and arts scene, catch some opera (from mid-June to early September) and head up to Castel San Pietro where you’ll get some of the finest city views.
Florence
Travel by train from the edge of the Alpine foothills, across the Po Valley and up into the rolling Tuscan Hills. And in just over 90 minutes, you’ll alight almost in the heart of fabulous Florence. The Renaissance-era comes into focus in a city that’s got more than its fair share of monuments, galleries, palaces and late Medieval architecture. While you’re in town, be sure to grab a tipple from one of the wine windows (buchette del vino) – small holes in the historic walls where you can order locally sourced varieties straight from the vineyard owners.
Rome
Another relatively swift train journey takes you south to Rome, the cultural, historic and political heart of Italy. This ruin-scattered city barely needs an introduction – it’s iconic, stuffed full of things to see and do, including an entire ecclesiastical state within the city limits. Tick off the must sees like the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Forum and imagine how this one city ruled just under 2 million square miles of land. There are plenty of places slightly off the beaten path like the eccentric Coppede District and Janiculum Hill where you can get some great city vistas.
Sorrento
The journey comes to an end as you catch the train to Naples and onwards to Sorrento, the end of the line on Italy’s west coast. Spend a couple of limoncello-flavoured days strolling, shopping and sipping to your heart’s content. Head down the cliff to the dip your feet in the Gulf of Naples water or take a day trip out to the Amalfi Coast. Whatever your days are filled with, don’t miss at least one sunset from the elevated Villa Comunale Park – the bay and Mount Vesuvius views are unmatched.
Taormina
Add on an island stay to your rail journey and experience a unique train-on-a-ferry ride. It’s a six and a half to eight-hour journey so pack a good book and embrace the scenery on this coast-hugging trip. Once you’ve reached your destination, ascend to Taormina where hilltop glamour is the order of the day. The next few days can be split between island-exploring excursions, slow morning coffee breaks with Mount Etna views, and beachside chill time down in Taormina Mare.
Other Itineraries
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