Take the train and experience some of Italy’s famous and more unknown historical and cultural highlights. From Venice’s canals to Sorrento’s beaches via Pompeii and the world’s tastiest food! Italy’s most exciting cities packed with exciting historical relics, adventures and lots of small trattorias where you eat cicchetti for lunch. Finish with a few days on the stunningly beautiful Amalfi Coast.
Let us tailor an adventure trip in beautiful Italy. You travel by train between some of Italy’s most delicious cities and places, stay in hand-picked small hotels – of course you can change them – we have everything from cool hostels to fantastic luxury hotels. The journey begins in one of the world’s most fascinating cities; Venice and then continues to Florence, Rome and ends in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. We have included a day trip to Pompeii but otherwise you have the days free for your own adventures. Wrap up highlights with our tips for Italian experiences “off the beaten path”.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia and arrival in Venice
Departure from Scandinavia towards Venice and arrival the same day. After landing, you can either take a boat transfer directly into the city or train or bus and then on with a vaporetto, a water bus. Venice is truly a unique place – a city built on millions of stilts in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. The city itself consists of more than 100 small islands, separated by winding canals but connected by over 400 bridges. Venice is filled with large and small squares, canals, bridges, restaurants and art treasures. But Venice is so much more – the whole lagoon is filled with islands and experiences, so when you get your fill of St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, there are lots of gold nuggets to discover.
Day 2: Venice “off the beaten path”
If you have never been to Venice before, you may want to manage the most famous highlights such as St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge. Caffe Florian on St. Mark’s Square has the world’s most expensive espresso but perhaps the world’s best location. Otherwise you only need to walk a few hundred meters into the alleys to get away from the tourist bustle and find a coffee for affordable 1 euro. Riding a gondola on the glittering canals through the city is for many a memory for life, but an alternative is to take a “traghetto” across the Grand Canal for a fraction of the price. In central Venice you go – it is mandatory to get lost at least a couple of times a day – and if you are going to the surrounding islands you go “vaporetto”. Do not miss to stroll around Dorsoduro and check out the gondola builders at Squero di San Travosa, experience the tranquility of the funeral island of San Michele, have lunch at the Verissa wind farm on the island of Mazzorbo, watch the sunset from the quay at Murano and watch the sunrise from Riva degli Schiavoni, drink spritz and eat cicchetti in Cannareggio. (F )
Day 3: Train from Venice to Florence
After breakfast you will go to the train station from where you will start your journey to fantastic Florence. The journey takes about 2.5 hours and in the meantime you can just sit back and relax. Once in Florence, you live centrally and can easily take you to your hotel on your own. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is located on the river Arno and is known above all for its historical significance but also for its architecture and art. Since 1982, Florence’s historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ( F )
Day 4: Florence – art and culture abound
Today we have included tickets for a Hop on Hop off bus where you can see some of the city’s highlights such as the city’s cathedral (Duomo), the Ponte Vecchio bridge, Michelangelo’s statue of David, the Basilica of the Holy Cross and much more. Florence is also a very easy city to get to on foot and regardless of interest there are plenty of activities to entertain with. ( F )
Day 5: Train from Florence to Rome
After a fast train journey in just one and a half hours, you will reach Italy’s beautiful capital Rome. Here you could easily spend weeks out and weeks in without having time to see all the sights, you completely stumble across ancient relics and ruins wherever you go. Of course you will also find lots of cozy neighborhoods, bustling squares, cute cafes, exciting museums and Italian food at its best. At a hotel near Termini Central Station, you have a perfect base from which to discover the city. ( F )
Day 6: Rome – the eternal city
Discover the city’s historic center on board a Hop on Hop off bus, the perfect way to get around the city’s hectic traffic and where you can hop off at the places you want to experience a little deeper. Familiarize yourself with the world of gladiators at the Colosseum, view the racetracks at the Circus Maximus, admire the majestic ancient temple of the Pantheon, work out in the Spanish Steps and perhaps meet the Pope at St. Peter’s – the list can be made any length! ( F )
Day 7: Room on your own
Today you have a completely free day to continue to discover all the city’s treasures. Stroll along the small back streets and enjoy a good lunch in the charming district of Trastevere, make a wish at the Trevi Fountain or take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums which include the Sistine Chapel where you can enjoy fantastic historical masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s “Outer Dome” . A powerful experience! ( F )
Day 8: From Rome to Sorrento
Continue by train to Italy’s third largest city, Naples. From here you have a private transfer to the beautiful southern Italian coastal pearl Sorrento where you spend some wonderful days. The hotel is centrally located in Sorrento, a short walk from the water and perfectly located for both relaxation and exploration in the area. ( F )
Day 9: Excursion to Pompeii
If you visit this part of Italy, an excursion to the mythical Pompeii is almost a must and we have included a half-day excursion. Pompeii was one of the cities at which lay at the foot of the volcano Vesuvius and which was completely destroyed in a powerful volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Thick ash covered the city, which finally fell into oblivion, and it was not until the end of the 17th century that the city was rediscovered, and it was not until the middle of the 18th century that the city began to be excavated. The city really offers a snapshot of Roman life and strolling around the cobbled and well-preserved roads, see remains that are still almost 2000 years later largely intact is truly magical and one travels almost back in time and can imagine life before the volcanic eruption but also the horror of the city’s inhabitants when they were surprised by the ash thanks to the plaster casts from the cavities left by human remains in the thick ash. (F )
Day 10: Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
A completely free day to squeeze in the last of Italy’s highlights. Maybe take a day at the beach or why not make a day trip to Capri with its clear waters, romantic restaurants, picturesque villages and lovely walks. Or take a walk along the stunningly beautiful Amalfi Coast which offers magnificent views, charming villages that climb along the steep cliffs and of course also gorgeous bathing coves with outstanding baths in sparkling water. ( F )
Day 11: Return trip
You have a private transfer to Naples airport for return, if desired we can of course also arrange transport from there to Rome airport by train. ( F )
Overnight stays
Two nights at a hotel in Venice
Two nights at a hotel in Florence
Three nights at a hotel in Rome
Three nights at a hotel in Sorrento
