Iconic Italy by Train Tour Overview
Travel from Rome to Venice by high-speed train, tracing a route through four cities that shaped Italy's history, art and identity. Explore ancient Rome and the Vatican, Renaissance Florence and the vineyards of Chianti, Verona and nearby Valpolicella, then finish among Venice's canals and lagoon islands. Along the way, step inside an artisan atelier, share dinner in a Florentine home, taste regional wines and olive oil, watch Murano glassmakers at work and visit a traditional gondola boatyard. Italy's icons remain at the heart of the journey, while local neighborhoods, flavors and personal encounters bring greater depth to the classics.
Tour Price: €6,980
Tour price includes:
- Private arrival transfer from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to the hotel and departure transfer from the Venice hotel to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
- 11 nights in selected 4-star hotels: Rome (3), Florence (3), Verona (2) and Venice (3)
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners and selected regional food and wine experiences
- Professional English-speaking Tour Leader throughout the journey, accommodated at the same hotels as the group
- Business Class high-speed train travel from Rome to Florence, Florence to Verona and Verona to Venice
- Private coach or van transportation for included touring in Rome, Florence and Verona, plus private water-taxi transfers in Venice
- Professional English-speaking local guides in Rome, Florence, Verona and Venice, with audio headsets for the included visits
- Guided Jewish Ghetto experience in Rome with synagogue entrance and street-food tasting, plus entrances to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Vatican Museums
- Guided visit to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and a full-day Chianti experience with two winery visits, wine tastings, tasting lunch and an olive-mill visit
- Home-hosted dinner in a private Florentine residence, including a family-style meal with drinks and wine
- Valpolicella winery visit and tasting with lunch featuring local products, followed by a panoramic aperitif in Verona
- Private excursion to Murano and Burano with water-taxi transportation, guided visits, an exclusive Murano glass workshop and lunch in Burano
- Guided exploration of Dorsoduro with a visit to a traditional Venetian squero, where gondolas are built and restored
- Porterage, VAT, city taxes and gratuities for the included guides, tour managers, hotel staff, servers and drivers
Tour price is per person based on a minimum of 6 participants and double occupancy. A single supplement of EUR 1,230 is available for those traveling alone who would like their own room.
*International airfare is not included, but Olde Ipswich Tours can assist with booking flights.
Iconic Italy by Train Tour Itinerary
BEGINS: Rome, Italy | ENDS: Venice, Italy *
DAY 1-3, ROME: Arrive in Rome and begin with a guided walk through the city's Baroque heart, from Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona, followed by a welcome dinner. The next day, explore the Jewish Ghetto with a specialist guide and tasting before continuing to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. On Day 3, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, with time in St. Peter's Square, then enjoy a free afternoon before dinner.
DAYS 4-6, FLORENCE & CHIANTI: Travel by high-speed train to Florence and discover its historic center on foot, including Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, with a visit to a local artisan atelier and a cappuccino tasting. Spend a full day in Chianti visiting two wine estates, enjoying a tasting lunch and discovering extra virgin olive oil at a local mill, with seasonal olive picking when available. Back in Florence, explore the Uffizi Gallery with an art-history expert and end the day with an intimate dinner in a private Florentine home.
DAYS 7-8, VERONA & VALPOLICELLA: Travel by high-speed train to Florence and discover its historic center on foot, including Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, with a visit to a local artisan atelier and a cappuccino tasting. Spend a full day in Chianti visiting two wine estates, enjoying a tasting lunch and discovering extra virgin olive oil at a local mill, with seasonal olive picking when available. Back in Florence, explore the Uffizi Gallery with an art-history expert and end the day with an intimate dinner in a private Florentine home.
DAYS 9-10, VENICE, MURANO & BURANO: Travel by high-speed train to Venice and arrive at your hotel by private water taxi. Explore the city's canals and promenades on foot, reach Piazza San Marco and visit St. Mark's Basilica, with a coffee or cappuccino stop at one of Venice's historic cafés. The next day, travel by private water taxi to Murano for an exclusive glassmaking workshop visit, then continue to colorful Burano for a guided walk and lunch.
DAYS 11-12, DORSODURO & DEPARTURE: Discover Dorsoduro on foot, exploring one of Venice's more intimate districts before stepping inside a traditional squero to meet a local craftsman and learn how gondolas are built and restored. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, then gather for a farewell dinner. The following morning, transfer privately to Venice Marco Polo Airport for your flight home.
*Transfers to other airports can be arranged at an additional cost.
