Itinerary
- Day 1
Milan
You'll fly over the Alps and land in Milan, then take the Malpensa Express into the city center. Before dinner, walk over to Milano Centrale, the grand central railway station. The building's palatial architecture really shows how important rail travel was to Italy's development.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Malpensa Express transfer from Milan airport to city center
- Visit to Milano Centrale railway station
Landmarks Milano Centrale Malpensa Airport - Day 2
Milan
Starting from Milano Centrale, you'll head to the cathedral and check out its delicate facade. Then stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II with its elegant shopping arcade, stucco work, and frescoes. After that, you'll see the Teatro della Scala, the 18th century opera house built right alongside the gallery to highlight Milan's cultural significance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Milan Cathedral
- Visit to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
- Visit to Teatro della Scala
Landmarks Milano Centrale Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Teatro della Scala - Day 3
Milan to Padua
After breakfast, take the train past Lake Garda to Padua, one of Italy's oldest university cities. You'll stop by Caffè Pedrocchi, which was once Europe's largest coffee house and a gathering spot for intellectuals. Then see the Basilica di Sant'Antonio at the tomb of St. Anthony, and check out Giotto's frescoes in the Cappella degli Scrovegni. You're staying here for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train journey from Milan to Padua (approximately 250 km)
- Visit to Caffè Pedrocchi
- Visit to Basilica di Sant'Antonio
- Visit to Cappella degli Scrovegni with Giotto's frescoes
Landmarks Lake Garda Caffè Pedrocchi Basilica di Sant'Antonio Cappella degli Scrovegni 
- Day 4
Padua to Venice
Travel a short distance to Venice and cross a bridge from the train station into the lagoon city. You'll walk across numerous bridges throughout the day, including the Rialto and the Bridge of Sighs. At St. Mark's Square, see the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. By evening, take the water bus back to the train station and return to Padua by train.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey from Padua to Venice (approximately 90 km)
- Guided tour of Venice with visits to Rialto Bridge and Bridge of Sighs
- Visit to St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- Vaporetto (water bus) journey from St. Mark's Square to train station
Landmarks Rialto Bridge Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) 
- Day 5
Padua to Verona to Lake Garda
After breakfast, head to Verona at your own pace and check in at your hotel. Then take the regional train to Peschiera on Lake Garda's southern shore. Walk through this former fishing village and board a boat for the day, taking in views of Italy's most popular northern lake and the mountains surrounding it. You'll get back to Verona in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train journey from Padua to Verona (approximately 60 km)
- Walk through Peschiera
- Boat trip on Lake Garda
Landmarks Lake Garda Peschiera del Garda - Day 6
Verona
Spend the day exploring Verona and its connection to composer Verdi. Visit the ancient theater where the opera festival happens every summer. Walk around Piazza dei Signori to see the surrounding palaces and the Dante monument. Then follow the Romeo and Juliet trail to the Capulets' house and see Juliet's famous balcony.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to ancient theater of Verona
- Tour of Piazza dei Signori and surrounding palaces
- Visit to Dante monument
- Visit to Capulets' house and Juliet's balcony
Landmarks Ancient Theater of Verona (Roman Theatre) Piazza dei Signori Dante Monument Capulets' House (Casa di Giulietta) - Day 7
Verona to Florence
Travel about 240 km by train to Florence, the capital of Tuscany. When you arrive, check out Santa Maria Novella station. Head to the San Lorenzo district to wander through the market with its varied culinary specialties. You'll have dinner together to prepare for the extensive city tour happening the next day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train journey from Verona to Florence (approximately 240 km)
- Visit to Santa Maria Novella railway station
- Visit to San Lorenzo market
Landmarks Santa Maria Novella Station San Lorenzo Market - Day 8
Florence
Start with the church of Santa Maria Novella, where you'll see works by Giotto and Ghirlandaio. Walk through the pedestrian-friendly city to the cathedral and its baptistery. You'll pass through Piazza della Repubblica and stop at Le Giubbe Rosse, a historic artists' café and traditional meeting place for writers. End your day at the Ponte Vecchio, the old bridge of the goldsmiths.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Santa Maria Novella church
- Tour of Florence Cathedral and baptistery
- Visit to Piazza della Repubblica
- Visit to Ponte Vecchio
Landmarks Santa Maria Novella Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze) Baptistery of Florence (Battistero di San Giovanni) Piazza della Repubblica Le Giubbe Rosse Ponte Vecchio - Day 9
Florence to Pisa to Lucca
Travel about 190 km to Pisa and see the Leaning Tower and the other architectural works at Piazza dei Miracoli. Explore the cathedral, baptistery, and the 13th century Camposanto. Then check out the real Pisa beyond the famous square, with its student quarters, small plazas, and local bars. From there, continue to Lucca, founded by Romans, with its beautifully preserved medieval amphitheater, cathedral, and churches, all surrounded by an almost completely intact city wall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey from Florence to Pisa (approximately 190 km)
- Visit to Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Visit to Piazza dei Miracoli with cathedral, baptistery and Camposanto
- Exploration of Pisa's student quarters and local squares
- Visit to Lucca with historic cathedral, San Frediano church and San Michele church
- Walk along Lucca's intact city wall
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente) Piazza dei Miracoli Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa) Pisa Baptistery Camposanto Lucca Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Martino) San Frediano San Michele in Foro Lucca City Wall Lucca Amphitheater 
- Day 10
Lucca to Rome
Travel about 280 km by train to Rome, arriving around midday. Check into your hotel and explore Termini station, Italy's largest. Visit Santa Maria Maggiore, one of four papal basilicas, located just steps away. See Michelangelo's Moses sculpture in San Pietro in Vincoli. End the day with dinner together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train journey from Lucca to Rome (approximately 280 km)
- Visit to Termini railway station
- Visit to Santa Maria Maggiore basilica
- Visit to San Pietro in Vincoli church with Michelangelo's Moses
Landmarks Termini Station (Stazione Termini) Santa Maria Maggiore San Pietro in Vincoli - Day 11
Rome
You'll explore Rome's collection of treasures, taking in churches, squares, and fountains including the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Head to the Capitol to view Rome from above and look out over the ancient Roman Forum. Stand at the Colosseum, the largest arena from ancient times. There's so much more to discover throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Trevi Fountain
- Visit to Spanish Steps
- Visit to Capitol
- Visit to Roman Forum
- Visit to Colosseum
Landmarks Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) Capitol (Capitoline Hill) Roman Forum Colosseum - Day 12
Vatican
Dedicate the day to the Vatican and explore this unique city-state. Visit the Vatican's own papal train station and learn about who travels there and their destinations. In the afternoon, enter St. Peter's Basilica for your visit. Later in the evening, walk through the atmospheric Trastevere district.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Vatican papal train station
- Visit to St. Peter's Basilica
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Trastevere district
Landmarks Vatican Railway Station St. Peter's Basilica Trastevere - Day 13
Rome to Naples
Travel about 220 km by train to Naples, arriving at the redesigned central forecourt. Head to your hotel, then explore the extensively restored train station. Visit the San Carlo Opera House, one of Italy's most prestigious venues. Tour the Galleria Umberto shopping gallery and the unique alley of crib makers. Finish with a walk to the Basilica of Santa Chiara.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey from Rome to Naples (approximately 220 km)
- Visit to Naples railway station
- Visit to San Carlo Opera House
- Visit to Galleria Umberto
- Walk through crib makers' alley
- Visit to Basilica of Santa Chiara
Landmarks Naples Central Station (Napoli Centrale) San Carlo Opera House Galleria Umberto Basilica of Santa Chiara - Day 14
Naples to Pietrarsa to Pompeii
Visit the Italian Railway Museum in Pietrarsa on Naples' outskirts, about 60 km away. You'll see locomotives from the past and learn about Italy's technological and social development through rail history. Then head to Pompeii, the archaeological site preserved from antiquity, which provides a fitting conclusion to your tour of Italian art and history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Italian Railway Museum at Pietrarsa
- Visit to Pompeii (approximately 60 km from Naples)
Landmarks Italian Railway Museum (Museo Ferroviario di Pietrarsa) Pompeii - Day 15
Naples to Home
Depart Naples with plenty of new impressions and memories from your journey. Fly back home from Naples, ending your Italian railway tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
