Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Lakeside Luxury, Cultural Cities and Coastal Charm An Italian Train Tour

Florence, Rome, The Amalfi Coast

Starting from between £3275 to £5225 per person for 12 days depending on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

Itinerary Highlights

  • Take a scenic boat ride across Lake Como and soak up the breathtaking mountain views
  • Eat your heart out with endless delicious pizza, pasta and bruschetta
  • Watch the sun go down from one of the best spots along the Amalfi Coast
  • Hop on the train for part or all of this itinerary and enjoy the wonderful views along the way
Italy might be famous for its sleek sports cars, but this 12-day tour takes a more laidback but equally scenic route, exploring some of the country’s most beautiful and glamorous spots by train. This tailor-made tour takes full advantage of Italy’s surprisingly efficient and great value rail network, so climb aboard for a more relaxed way to enjoy la dolce vita, watching the countryside fly before you stop off in yet another gorgeous city.
Restaurant in Naples - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Restaurant in Naples - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Piazza Navona - Rome - Italy © Iakov Kalinin/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Piazza Navona - Rome - Italy © Iakov Kalinin/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Naples landscape - Italy © Angela Sorrentino/Istock
Naples landscape - Italy © Angela Sorrentino/Istock
Lake Como - Bellagio - Italy © Anna Bryukhanova/Istock
Lake Como - Bellagio - Italy © Anna Bryukhanova/Istock
Venice - Italy © Mark Zhu/stock.adobe.com
Venice - Italy © Mark Zhu/stock.adobe.com
Amalfi Coast - Italy © Getty Images/iStockphoto
Amalfi Coast - Italy © Getty Images/iStockphoto

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Fly from the UK to Milan on an early flight (around two to two- and-a-half hours). When you land, your private driver will meet you for the 45-minute transfer to Lake Como. Here, you'll be able to check in to your hotel, freshen up and head out for a delicious lunch.

After lunch, the rest of the afternoon is yours to play with. Wander around Como’s historic town centre, admire the grand buildings, stop for a coffee at one of the cafes that line every street corner, or shop for a silk scarf – a Como speciality. For dinner, take your pick from one of the many lakeside restaurants (your Concierge can help book the best) for dreamy views across the lakes and some fabulous fresh seafood.

Set sail this morning with a one-hour private boat tour across Lake Como's serene waters. The Y-shaped lake is nestled in a stunning valley and is surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery so sit back and soak up the views of elegant villas and lush gardens. Glide past the iconic sights of Como while your captain reveals the secret spots that make the lake so magical.

Feeling suitably relaxed after a day in the sun, enjoy a leisurely dinner in Como's charming Old Town, or opt for a cosy meal at your hotel. Afterwards take a romantic evening stroll along the lake shore and soak up the tranquil atmosphere. Our detailed Dossier will list the best places for dinner that you won’t want to miss.

Start the day with a tasty breakfast at your hotel before checking out. Then head to the train station and catch the train to Florence, via Milan. The journey is around three hours in total, so sit back and relax with a good book or simply gaze out the window as you pass sleepy villages, rolling hills, cypress-lined lanes and the ochre rooftops of Bologna.

When you arrive in Florence, head to your hotel to check in and then go for a late afternoon passeggiata (evening stroll). You'll want to see the beautiful Florence Cathedral – and maybe even climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome – as well as the iconic Ponte Vecchio Bridge. When stomachs rumble, enjoy a delicious dinner at Le Volpi e l'Uva, an unassuming wine bar that's the perfect place for an aperItivo before a delicious supper in one of our Dossier recommended restaurants.

It's your only full day in Florence today so you'll want to make the most of it. Start your day with a private guided tour of the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries where you can feast your eyes on some of the most celebrated artistic masterpieces in the world (Michelangelo's 'David', and Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus' to name just a few).

Then switch high art for another renowned Italian masterpiece – ice cream – with a stop for a gelato at celebrated ice-cream parlour Carabe. After that, enjoy some free time to explore the city at your own pace, before finishing your afternoon at Piazzale Michelangelo for the very best panoramic views of the city which includes the iconic terracotta rooftops and the Arno river. It’s the perfect spot to sit, swoon and soak up the sun.

After a leisurely final breakfast in Florence, take a taxi to Santa Maria Novella station and hop on the direct two-hour train from Florence to Rome. When you arrive in the ‘Eternal City’, check in to your centrally located hotel and head out for lunch in one of our Dossier's definitively delicious restaurants. Make sure it's a light one, though, because this afternoon you have a private tour of Rome with a local resident.

Starting in Trastevere, the old Jewish Quarter on the west bank of the Tiber, walk around the city hunting for the city's finest foodie delights and street eats from carciofi (artichokes) to pizza al taglio (by the slice). A café or gelato stop may tempt you along the way then head back to your hotel to recharge before taking in the evening air and stretching your legs like the Italians do with a traditional passeggiata.

Rome wasn't seen in a day, but today we're going to give it our very best shot. This morning we’ve arranged a private guided tour of ancient Rome which will introduce you to its most famous landmarks – from the Roman Forum to the iconic Colosseum.

After another delicious Dossier-inspired lunch, take a slow walk to the Vatican (Rome is surprisingly small) where you’ll meet your art historian guide for a private tour of the immense St Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo's masterpiece ceiling. With skip-the-line tickets waiting for you, jump the (invariably enormous) queue to the Vatican Palace, home to the church's incomparable Renaissance artistic treasures.

Later on, indulge in a spot of retail therapy in Rome's many boutiques and delicatessens and as dusk settles over the city, enjoy an Aperol Spritz or two before one last Roman restaurant experience.

Get up bright and early for the direct train from Rome to Naples, which takes around an hour and a quarter. Check in to your hotel before heading out for lunch – pizza, of course. Our favourite is Da Michele on Via Cesare Sersale. Join the queue and try their famous Margherita made with San Marzano tomatoes and Campania buffalo mozzarella.

After lunch, enjoy a private guided tour of historic Naples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, exploring palaces, castles, churches and the fascinating Decumani centre, split by the 2,500-year-old Spaccanapoli Street. Naples is a historically rich city where people have lived, loved and worked for millennia and you can practically feel this history woven into every street and building.

In the evening, sample another Neapolitan passion, seafood, at Pescheria Mattiucci, a fish shop turned informal restaurant. Try the raw fish platter with bread and fennel, paired with excellent inexpensive Italian wines.

Say goodbye to the lively streets of Naples and hop back on the train to Sorrento which will be your base for exploring the Amalfi Coast. Along the way you'll be skirting around the base of Vesuvius so keep your eyes fixed firmly out of the left-hand windows for some spectacular views.

Once you arrive at your hotel, spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool and soaking up some sunshine while you admire the clifftop views. With four nights ahead in this beautiful town, a slower pace is well deserved. After all the travelling, it’s the perfect chance to unwind, enjoy a leisurely lunch, or simply watch the world go by from your terrace.

Over the next three days, explore the Amalfi Coast at your own pace. Start with a private sunset tour of Pompeii, a remarkably well preserved UNESCO World Heritage site discovered in 1788. Wander along Roman streets, peek into temples and let our expert guide bring this city to life. The volcanic backdrop also makes for the perfect photo opportunity.

Beyond Pompeii, sunbathe at your hotel and explore the Amalfi Coast’s charming towns. We highly recommend saving a morning for the Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of the Gods. This three-hour trail certainly lives up to its grand name, providing seriously dreamy and dramatic views.

We can also arrange a day trip to the neighbouring island of Capri if you want to squeeze in some more sightseeing or you may prefer to just take it easy, spending some time relaxing in Sorrento. The choice is yours.

All good things must come to an end. This morning, pack up your belongings and meet your driver who will chauffeur you back to Naples Airport for your direct flight back to the UK.

Why visit Italy with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Italy

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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Estimated Price

Dependent on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

The prices shown here are merely a guide, as all of our trips are entirely tailor-made. Tailor-made travel involves multiple moving parts, and prices can vary hugely depending on the season of travel, the lead time before the proposed travel date (last minute deals are pretty much a myth), availability, your choice of accommodation and any additional activities you want to include. That means the only exact price will be the one we quote you, which we can adapt to suit your budget. The estimated starting cost for this trip is between £3,275 and £5,225 per person. The average starting price for this trip is £4,180 per person.

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