Italy Rail Express Tour

Are you ready for an Italian rail travel adventure? Welcome to Rome, the “Eternal City”. Check into the hotel before meeting up with your tour leader and fellow travellers. Later this afternoon, look forward to a guided tour of this ancient city with an expert local guide. Discover some of Rome’s top sights, including the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum, and learn all about Rome’s fascinating history. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your group and get your first taste of Italian cuisine!

Rome guided tour: Embark on a tour with a local guide to discover Italy’s Eternal City! See major sites including the incredible Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. This guided tour will share stories about how Rome came to be and what it is today!

Italian welcome dinner: Tonight, dine like the Italians do! Enjoy a three-course welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Rome and take this chance to get to know your travel friends who will be with you for the next nine days.

After breakfast this morning, board a high-speed train and travel from Rome to Naples. After arriving and dropping your bags off at tonight’s accommodation, get ready to embark on an ancient adventure! Take a local train to the ruins of Pompeii. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to grab lunch. Then, meet up with a local guide and set off on a tour of this iconic ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site that was covered in the ash and debris of Mount Vesuvius nearly two thousand years ago. After a truly unforgettable afternoon, head back to Naples and enjoy an included dinner this evening. This is your chance to try authentic Neapolitan pizza!

Visit Pompeii: Pompeii is so remarkable because it was almost frozen in time as the ash and volcanic debris of Mount Vesuvius covered the city for many centuries. The preservation of Pompeii allows its visitors a glimpse into ancient times. Enjoy a two-hour guided walking tour through this fascinating ancient site.

Dinner in Naples: Enjoy a traditional dinner and take the chance to try some of Naples’ famous pizza! Naples is considered the birthplace of pizza and the art of pizza making is taken very seriously, meaning that you can be assured of some truly delectable slices.

Today is free to explore Naples! Discover this city’s old world charm and uniquely traditional way of doing things. Naples may be the third-largest city in Italy but it often feels like a completely different country! Naples is also a gateway to the picturesque and ultra-glamorous island of Capri. Join today’s optional excursion to enjoy a private cruise around the Isle of Capri and spend the day taking in the breathtaking beauty of the coastline! This evening offers the opportunity to join a Naples food tour and learn more about the history of Neapolitan pizza and sample more delicious local delights.

Wave arrivederci to Naples and hop on a fast train to Florence, the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’ and capital of the Tuscany region. Arrive and enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant before visiting a local Italian leather shop to learn about how these expert craftsmen make fine leather goods. Then, explore Florence with a local guide. See top sights including the Palazzo Vecchio and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and admire the views from the Ponte Vecchio viewpoint. Afterwards, it’s time to head to Pisa. Check into the hotel for the night and set off on an orientation walk which will reveal the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa by night! 

Lunch in Florence: Try some authentic Tuscan cuisine at an excellent local restaurant over a group lunch in Florence.

Leather-making demonstration: Step inside the world of Italian leather crafting; visit a local leather shop and factory, Leonardo Leather and Gold, for insight into how bespoke Italian leather goods are produced. Italy has been famous for leather production for centuries!

Guided tour of Florence: See some of the cultural and historic sights that have made the city of Florence a favourite among travellers. Discover top sights including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’, Florence boasts a huge variety of important buildings and famous artworks.

See the Leaning Tower of Pisa: A bucket-list item for most, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most iconic monuments in Italy and perhaps one of the most recognisable structures in the world.

Enjoy a free day in Pisa. Take some time to explore the Piazza del Duomo and be sure to snap some memorable photos of you “holding up” the tower! Alternatively, join the optional excursion to Cinque Terre. Your tour leader will take the group to the starting point and give you all the information needed to discover these five picturesque seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera. Cinque Terre can only be accessed by boat, train or on foot and its colourful houses and stunning vineyards offer a breathtaking outlook. The group will return to Pisa together in the evening.

From one spectacular Italian city to another, the tour travels through the Tuscan region towards Venice today! After dropping off your bags at tonight’s hotel, set off on an orientation walking tour of this magical floating city. See top Venice attractions including the Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, Palazzo Ducale and more! After, enjoy an included lunch which ends off with a delicious gelato. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. This is the perfect time to cruise the legendary canals with an optional water taxi ride!

Orientation tour of Venice: Join your tour leader on an orientation tour and a trip into the heart of this unique floating city. See St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

Lunch in Venice: Weaving through the tiny alleys and crossing the many bridges of Venice is hungry work! This exploration will be rewarded with a taste of Venice. Look forward to some authentic Italian gelato for dessert!

Discover even more Venetian magic on this full free day! The best way to start the day is with an optional gondola ride - this is a quintessential Venice experience! Afterwards, why not take this opportunity to venture out in the lagoon? The Venice Lagoon Tour optional excursion travels to the island of Murano, known for its glass blowing and the colourful island of Burano on a private boat! Later, enjoy the option of joining a Venice food tour and sample delectable local treats. Alternatively, take this free day to explore Venice at your own pace. Visit a museum or do some shopping and enjoy an aperitivo in the vibrant Piazza San Marco!

Next up on this whirlwind Italy rail tour is the fashion capital of the world - Milan! Get acquainted with this super stylish city on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Of course, the incredible Duomo cathedral is sure to take your breath away. Other top sights include the impressive La Scala Milan Opera House and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery! This afternoon, enjoy an included farewell lunch with the group. Take the rest of the evening to relax, explore more or do some last minute shopping before the tour comes to an end tomorrow.

Orientation tour of Milan: Travel to the centre of the fashion capital with your tour leader. Your tour leader will point out some of Milan’s top sights and offer tips for how to spend the free afternoon.

Farewell lunch in Milan: After a morning of sightseeing, enjoy a final farewell lunch with the group at a local restaurant.  

After plenty of Italian adventures, this nine-day rail journey comes to an end today. Say farewell to your new travel friends over breakfast and be sure to swap contact details. We hope that this tour of bella Italia has provided many unforgettable moments and memories to last a lifetime! Expat Explore wishes you a safe onward journey. Buon Viaggio!