Italy Highlights by Train: Venice, Florence, Rome & Sorrento Semi-Private Tour

Experience the best of Italy on this unforgettable 9-day tour through Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast. Begin in Venice, the magical city of canals, with its Gothic palaces and glittering St. Mark’s Basilica. Travel by high-speed train to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance and home to Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Continue by train to the Eternal City, Rome, where ancient history and Renaissance art come to life. Then journey south to Naples and conclude your adventure on the sun-kissed Amalfi Coast, where Sorrento’s coastal charm, the ruins of Pompeii, and the island paradise of Capri offer a spectacular finale. This tour combines guided explorations with leisure time, blending art, history, and Mediterranean allure at your own pace.

HIGHLIGHTS

Venice: Discover St. Mark’s Square and its iconic monuments, then step inside St. Mark’s Basilica, the “Golden Church,” and the Doge’s Palace, a Gothic masterpiece filled with history and art.

Florence: Explore the historic center, admiring the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery’s Gates of Paradise. Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David, and enjoy an exclusive Uffizi Masterclass featuring works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael.

Rome: Experience Ancient Rome visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Wander through the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica and marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldacchino.

Sorrento: Journey to Pompeii to explore its remarkably preserved ruins. Savor the charm of Sorrento and sail across the Bay of Naples to the enchanting island of Capri, where dramatic cliffs, chic boutiques and piazzas complete your Italian odyssey.

Day 1: ARRIVAL VENICE

Upon arrival at Venice Airport, you will board a private water taxi to your hotel. After checking in, take the remainder of the day to relax or start discovering the enchanting city of canals at your own pace.

Overnight in Venice.

Day 2: VENICE

After breakfast, make your way to “Alilaguna of Giardinetti Reali” for a small-group guided tour. Begin in St. Mark’s Square, where your guide will share fascinating stories about Venice’s past and its most iconic monuments. Continue to St. Mark’s Basilica, the dazzling “Golden Church,” famous for its shimmering mosaics and treasures, and said to house the relics of Saint Mark. Next, visit the Doge’s Palace, a stunning Gothic masterpiece that once served as the seat of government and justice for the Venetian Republic. Explore its grand chambers, ornate courtyards, and historic prisons, while admiring works by Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese.

Overnight in Venice.

Day 3: VENICE – FLORENCE (2hrs by train)

After breakfast, enjoy a private water taxi transfer from your hotel to Venice Santa Lucia Station. Board the high-speed train to Florence and relax as you travel through Italy’s picturesque landscapes. Upon arrival at Florence Santa Maria Novella Station, meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. After check-in, take the rest of the day at leisure to explore the elegant streets, art-filled piazzas, and timeless charm of Florence at your own pace.

Overnight in Florence.

Day 4: FLORENCE

After breakfast at the hotel, reach the meeting point in central Florence to join your “Florence the Magnificent” shared tour, an unforgettable journey through the artistic treasures of the city.

Your experience begins with a guided walking tour through the historic heart of Florence. Admire architectural masterpieces such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery with its famous “Gates of Paradise.” Stroll through the lively Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria, home to Palazzo Vecchio and a striking open-air gallery of Renaissance statues.

Continue to the Accademia Gallery, where you’ll enjoy priority skip-the-line access to admire Michelangelo’s David, one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world, along with other remarkable works by the artist.

In the afternoon, take part in the Uffizi Masterclass, a fascinating exploration of one of the world’s most renowned art museums. Accompanied by an expert guide, discover timeless masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, including The Birth of Venus and Primavera.

After the tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to wander Florence’s charming streets or relax at a traditional café.

Overnight in Florence.

Day 5: FLORENCE – ROME (1.5hrs by train)

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your driver for a private transfer to Florence Santa Maria Novella Station. Board your high-speed train to Rome and enjoy a comfortable journey through the Italian countryside. Upon arrival at Rome Termini Station, meet your private driver for a transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin discovering the Eternal City at your own pace.

Overnight in Rome.

Day 6: ROME

After breakfast at the hotel, join a shared guided tour to discover two of Rome’s most extraordinary landmarks, the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums, in one unforgettable day.

Begin your morning journey through the heart of Ancient Rome, walking in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators. Step inside the legendary Colosseum, one of the world’s most remarkable architectural achievements, and learn about its fascinating history as a stage for epic battles and public spectacles. Continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where the ruins of temples and imperial palaces reveal the grandeur of the ancient empire.

In the afternoon, continue your exploration with a shared guided visit to the Vatican Museums, home to one of the world's most extensive art collections. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Maps, and the Raphael Rooms before reaching the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s frescoes will leave you breathless. The tour concludes inside St. Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll marvel at masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s magnificent Baldacchino.

After the tour, enjoy you’re evening at leisure to relax or explore more of Rome’s enchanting atmosphere on your own.

Overnight in Rome.

Day 7: ROME – NAPLES (1hr by train) – POMPEI – SORRENTO

After breakfast at the hotel, a private transfer will take you from your hotel to Rome Termini Station to board the high-speed train to Naples. 

Upon arrival, meet your private driver and guide for a fascinating two-hour stop at Pompeii, the ancient Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. With entrance tickets included, enjoy a private guided tour through the remarkably preserved ruins – from the Forum and temples to the baths and beautifully decorated villas. As you walk along the original stone streets, your expert guide will bring to life the daily routines, artistry, and tragic history of this extraordinary archaeological site.

After the visit, continue your journey along the scenic coastal road to Sorrento, where you will check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, perhaps taking a stroll through the charming historic center or relaxing with a view of the Bay of Naples.

Overnight in Sorrento.

Day 8: SORRENTO – CAPRI – SORRENTO

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Sorrento, perhaps taking time to relax by the sea or explore the charming streets and cafés of the old town.

In the late afternoon, embark on an exclusive shared evening tour to Capri, the dazzling island that has enchanted visitors from the ancient Greeks to Hollywood stars. Board a hydrofoil and glide across the shimmering waters of the Neapolitan Riviera to reach this jewel of the Mediterranean.

Begin your experience with a boat tour around the island, where you can admire Capri’s dramatic cliffs and famous grottoes, glowing softly in the evening light. As dusk falls, you disembark in Capri town and enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace. Stroll through elegant boutiques, enjoy a cocktail in the Piazzetta, or indulge in dinner at one of the island’s refined restaurants, perhaps tasting the iconic Caprese salad, invented right here in the 1950s. Savor the island’s glamorous atmosphere under the night sky before returning to Sorrento by hydrofoil late in the evening.

Overnight in Sorrento.

Day 9: SORRENTO – NAPLES DEPARTURE

After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer from Sorrento to Naples Airport for your onward journey.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Italy. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.