Tuscany and Venice by rail

We have created this wonderful itinerary for your holiday to Italy. As requested, no flying is involved and your holiday begins at London St Pancras station when you board the Eurostar to Paris.

Days 1 & 2

You will meet the tour manager at the departure gate in St Pancras rail station for the journey to Paris. On arrival into the French capital, you'll be shown to the high speed TTV to Chambery for the night. The next morning, you'll continue to Milan where you change trains for Florence. Finally, a short coach journey will take you to Montecanti where you will settle in for a four night stay at the Hotel Francia e Quirinale.

Day 3

After a relaxed start to the day, you'll be taken on a guided walking tour of Florence. Known for its Renaissance architecture, picturesque narrow alley-ways and squares and spellbinding art works, Florence is a treasure to behold. After the tour you are free to wander and explore the Tuscan capital at leisure.

Day 4

You have a chance to discover the pretty town of Montecatini today. The oldest part of the town is situated a few hundred metres above the new town and from here we suggest you while away a few hours with a coffee, soaking in the amazing views across the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Day 5

Todays excursion is by rail to Lucca, Tuscany’s hidden gem. Lucca is a wonderful town that has managed escape the tourist crowds. Afterwards, you'll continue to Pisa for a guided tour of the old town which offers fantastic examples of Romanesque architecture. There is, of course, the famous Leaning Tower that is a must to visit.

Day 6

After a short transfer to Florence station you will catch the high speed train to Venice - the marvellous “Floating City” of shimmering waterways, elaborate bridges and ornate palaces. After checking in to the hotel Belle Arti, enjoy a walking tour of Venice in the afternoon.

From St Marks’s Square the tour will guide you around narrow winding streets and visit some of the small squares that characeterise the city. We have reserved a table for you at one such square.

Days 7 & 8

We have left two full days free for you to explore Venice at your own leisure and you can be as active or not as you please! You could take a gondola ride on the famous network of canals or explore using Venice’s water-bound public transport network the Vaporetti.

Day 9

It's time to leave Venice and travel by high speed rail to charming Turin, one of northern Italy’s lesser known cities. The world famous Fiat factory is here (which has a race track on the roof) and the city is renowned for it’s coffee shops. You'll have the afternoon and evening to relax before spending a night at a centrally-located hotel.

Day 10

Today you journey back to London. From Turin, it's a high-speed train to Paris for your journey by Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to London St Pancras. 

Included in the price is a UK based tour manager, all rail and coach travel, nine nights' accommodation with breakfasts and five dinners. A tour of Florence with a local guide, a tour of Pisa including the Leaning Tower and a city tour of Venice with a local guide are also included.