Historic Cities, Fabulous Food & Art Tours: Central Italy Train Holiday

After a bountiful breakfast at your hotel, set off to explore Nice at your own pace. As the capital of the French Riviera, Nice offers a brilliant blend of vibrant culture and a gorgeous coastal location. If it's a laidback beach day you fancy, there are pretty promenades to stroll along, beach loungers beckoning and a shimmering sea to swim in.

Away from the seafront, wind your way through the charming streets of the Old Town where you'll find a number of excellent galleries (Nice was a popular holiday spot among the likes of Picasso, Renoir and Matisse), and a high concentration of lovely local restaurants and food markets where you can tuck into delicious fresh fare. Come evening, nothing beats a cool cocktail as you watch the sun set and toast to the first full day of your train holiday.

It's another travelling day today as you catch an early-morning train from Nice to Framura, a small coastal town in the north-west of Italy. With the railway line hugging the coast, the six-hour journey is guaranteed to be a beautiful one, so sit back and enjoy the ride. Upon arrival in Framura, make your way to your hotel where you will be staying for the next two nights; the ideal tranquil base from which to explore the area. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. Relax at the hotel with a dip in the pool and a pampering session in the spa, followed by dinner and evening drinks on the sunny terrace.

Today, on the fourth day of your central Italy train holiday, hop on the train and travel 20 minutes to the pretty seaside town of Monterosso, one of the five villages in the Cinque Terre coastal area. From here, you'll be setting off on a boat tour which takes you south along the enchanting coastline from Monterosso. Along the way you'll sail past Guvano beach, a popular naturist spot since the 1970s, and a scattering of beautiful villages that cling to the cliffs.

At the most south-eastern point of the Cinque Terre National Park, you'll have the chance to enjoy a refreshing dip and a spot of snorkelling followed by a delicious lunch prepared by the crew. Tuck into tasty local dishes, from succulent seafood cooked over the barbeque to bruschetta with anchovies, all washed down with a crisp glass of white wine, before setting sail back to Monterosso.

Wake up bright and early and enjoy an al fresco breakfast in the sun before heading to the station to catch your early-morning train to Florence. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll head to your home for the next three nights, which provides the perfect jumping off point for exploring the city. After checking in, enjoy a relaxing evening with a dip in the pool, a session in the spa and a traditional Tuscan dinner in the restaurant.

Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is the focus today as you set off on a private half-day walking tour of the city. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you around some of the city’s highlights, including the Duomo - the city's beautiful cathedral - and the neighbouring Giotto's Bell Tower, as well as a number of picturesque piazzas. We can recommend some wonderful restaurants for lunch, then the afternoon is yours to continue exploring at leisure.

Today, at the halfway point of your central Italy train holiday, you'll get a taste for the region's mouth-wateringly good cuisine as you enjoy a gourmet tour of San Lorenzo Market. The covered market offers an extraordinary selection of regional products including cheeses, meats, olive oil, schiacciata, cantucci and the Chianti Classico wine. Your expert guide will introduce you to the best of Florence’s fares and you’ll have the chance to sample plenty of cheese, focaccia, truffle products and meats.

It's another early start today as you catch a two-and-a-half-hour morning train from Florence to Assisi, a beautiful hilltop town in Umbria. After checking in to your hotel, you'll be privately transferred to a nearby wine estate where you'll enjoy a relaxing picnic. The perfect introduction to the laidback lifestyle in Umbria, you'll get the chance to tour the sunny vineyards with the owners, taste some of their wine varieties and then tuck into a delicious lunch with the best fresh local produce.

We've left this afternoon for you to spend at leisure. We recommend popping into Assisi to wander along the winding medieval streets, enjoy a moment of peace and quiet in the pretty piazzas and age-old churches, and break for a drink or a bite to eat in one of the many charming cafes.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medieval town of Assisi sprawls across a hilltop. Alongside an expert local guide, you’ll tour the town’s most significant spots, including the Basilica of Santa Chiara (with the famous Crucifix of San Damiano) and the tomb of the holy founder of the Poor Clares. As you wander the medieval streets, you’ll also discover the Palazzo dei Priori, Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and the Torre del Popolo, as well as the Roman Temple of Minerva and the Basilica of San Francesco. Once you’ve explored the wonders of Assisi, spend the evening relaxing at your hotel with a glass of wine and some delicious Italian food, before retiring to your room for a good night's sleep ready for another travelling day tomorrow.

Wave goodbye to Umbria today as you catch a morning train to Italy's beautiful capital, Rome, arriving in the early afternoon. Drop off your things at the hotel and get settled in because you'll be here for the next three nights of your central Italy train holiday. Your hotel is the perfect base to explore on foot, so after unpacking we recommend using the rest of the day to get your bearings. The handsome historic centre is ideal for wandering around at your own pace, ducking into elegant shops and busy bakeries along the way. In the evening, you’ll have the chance to tour the Vatican City without the crowds. Accompanied by an art historian, you'll visit the Sistine Chapel for an intimate look at Michelangelo's breath-taking frescos; the Vatican Palace where you'll see some of the world's most famous Renaissance paintings and sculptures; St. Peter's Basilica; and St. Peter's Square for a peek at the Swiss Guards.

This morning, you’ll explore more of the Italian capital during a Vespa tour of Rome. On a genuine Italian Vespa, discover some of the city’s most iconic sights with the help of a local guide/driver. We've left the afternoon free for you to continue exploring at your own pace. One option is to head across the river to the city's bohemian Trastevere district where you can relax and watch the world go by in one of the wonderful trattorias or pizzerias. For the evening, we'll book you a table at one of the many excellent eateries and can recommend some brilliant bars to visit afterwards for a nightcap, before heading back to your hotel for the night.

For an additional dose of Roman culture, you’ll spend today exploring the iconic Colosseum - the world's largest amphitheatre which was built during the Roman Empire - and the historic Roman Forum. We’ll arrange ‘skip the line’ tickets for both, and your guide will help bring both buildings to life during your small group tour. Learn about the games and fights that took place in the Colosseum, before heading to the Forum, which once represented the centre of Rome’s political life. End your day with another mouth-watering Italian meal at a restaurant recommended by our local Concierge.

Today, on the penultimate day of your central Italy train holiday, you'll begin your leisurely journey home. After a tasty breakfast at your hotel, catch a mid-morning train to Milan, arriving in the early afternoon. From here, you’ll catch the train to Paris, where you’ll spend your final night in a sumptuous Parisian hotel.