Venice to Rome by Rail + Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Our tour starts today in Venice, 'The Floating City'. The bucket-list city is built across 118 islands linked by bridges and canals in the shallow Venetian lagoon. Once home to an empire, the city is now famous for its art, music and food culture; all of which we hope to experience during our stay. Our tour leader plans to meet everyone at the hotel at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner afterwards for your first taste of Venetian cuisine. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. Should you miss the meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). The transfer will be by shared taxi and takes around 45 minutes with our hotel a further 5 minutes' walk. If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you'd like to explore, simply head out on foot and lose yourself among the canals and narrow passageways of the city as you soak in its unique atmosphere. With so much to see and do in Venice itself and the surrounding islands, you could easily spend several days here. If this is your first visit, we recommend arriving early and booking additional hotel nights before the trip starts. Whether arriving by included taxi transfer, or making your own way to the hotel, please note that as vehicles are unable to enter the narrow streets of the island, you'll need to make your own way on foot (around 700 metres, 10-minute walk) from the drop-off point at Piazzale Roma. Walk across the big bridge (Ponte della Costituzione) over the Grand Canal and continue straight past the Santa Lucia train station to your left. After the train station, turn left into the second street (Calle de la Misericordia). After a few minutes, you'll find Calle Pesaro and the Hotel Villa Rosa on your right-hand side.

We'll waste no time this morning in getting to know the city, heading out on an orientation walking tour through the backstreets of Cannaregio, across the Rialto Bridge into Saint Mark's Square, home to Saint Mark's Basilica, one of the city's most famous landmarks. We'll see the Famous Bridge of Sighs and the beautiful Doge's Palace before heading across the water by Vaporetto water bus to the San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower for a bird's-eye view of this simply fabulous city. Afterwards, you're free to continue discovering the essence of this enchanting city at your own pace. There are two ways to explore - on foot, losing yourself among the myriad passageways and piazza, or by boat, catching the Vaporetto (water buses) that crisscross along the canals or maybe even indulging in a gondola ride. We'll provide you with a Vaporetto day pass - it's an easy and relaxing way to cruise around the city. Take in famous sights such as the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, and Doge's Palace, and enjoy art and antiquities in world-class galleries and museums such as the Gallerie dell'Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Palazzo Ducale. Browse the city's artisanal shops - glassware produced on the nearby island of Murano, leatherware, paperware and of course papier mache carnivale masks. Along the way, be sure to stop off at a local bar for an aperativo and cicchetti, delectable Venetian small plates consisting of bite-sized snacks. Popular plates include salt cod on polenta, fried meatballs, octopus salad, and mini panini alongside simpler items like olives or boiled eggs.

We'll travel by high-speed train this morning to the historic city of Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna. The city is famous for its arched porticoes which make it possible to walk for long distances sheltered from the elements; there are over 45 kilometres/30 miles of arcade in the greater city. Bologna is also renowned for its culinary traditions; the popular meat-based sauce Bolognese comes from here and the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami is an important part of the local food industry. Tortellini (filled pasta) served in broth, and mortadella, the original Bologna sausage, are among other local specialities. We should arrive in Bologna by mid to late morning and, after leaving our baggage at the hotel, our tour leader will take us on a short orientation walk. Afterwards, you're free to explore the city. A great vista over its red roofs of the city can be enjoyed from the Asinelli Tower one of the 'Due Torri', two leaning medieval defensive towers, whose distinctive outline provides a popular symbol of Bologna. It's best to book tickets for this online in advance. We'll regroup in the late afternoon for an included pasta-making demonstration, followed by dinner and a glass of wine. We'll discover how traditional sfoglia all'uovo (egg pasta) is kneaded and rolled by hand and you'll have the opportunity to make and then eat your own pasta. While the pasta rests, you'll be shown how the filling for traditional tortelloni is made and how to make other pasta shapes such as garganelli, strichetti and tagliatelle.

Bologna's food markets are a must for any food lover and we'll head out first thing today to the medieval area called Quadrilatero where the street names; Drapperie, Pescherie, Orefici preserve their name from the old corporations that were here in the past. It's here where you can taste some of the best street food in Italy and find everything from fresh fish and produce to local meats, cheeses, regional wines, homemade tortellini pasta, fresh Italian breads and all manner of other goods. We'll then head by train to the fabulous city of Florence. It's a short journey that takes around 30 minutes and we should arrive late morning. The spiritual home of the Renaissance, Florence is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. On arrival, our tour leader will take us out on an orientation walk. Starting out at San Lorenzo market (leather) we'll head on to the bustling Central Market (foodstuffs) then take in San Lorenzo church and the Cappelle Medicee. One of the most important buildings in Florence, you will be able to see the Duomo and Baptistry (outside only) before heading towards the Signoria Square, past the Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi Museum before taking in the famous Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence and the only one that was not demolished during the German retreat of 1944. From mid to late afternoon, you're free to explore Florence at your own pace; maybe this will involve an espresso and people-watching at one of the many alfresco cafes. As with Rome, some forward planning is best to make the most of your time. The city's major sights are all easily reached on foot. You might like to visit the Duomo with its magnificent pink, white and green marble facade and climb up its red-tiled dome that dominates the skyline of the city for your own bird's-eye view. Or take a stroll along the banks of the River Arno. Palazzo Vecchio and Museo di San Marco and Galleria dell'Accademia (home to Michelangelo's David) are just three of the many treasure troves of art that abound in this most enchanting of cities. Early evening is the perfect time to walk up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for a great view over the city. If you'd like to book tickets to the world-famous Uffizi Gallery (home to Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian and Leonardo Da Vinci masterpieces) it's best to book in advance and we recommend visiting later on the afternoon of Day 5 as you'll have more time. Book online at https://www.uffizi.it/biglietti.

It's around an hour by local train this morning to Pisa where our tour leader will take us on an orientation tour. The Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Dreams), of which the iconic Leaning Tower is but one part, also contains the Baptistery, Duomo and Camposanta, which between them make up a stunning collection of architectural delights. These, along with the churches and palazzi that make up the historic centre, all belong to a period from the 11th to 13th centuries when the city was one of the Mediterranean's major maritime powers. We'll then have free time in the city and you can return to Florence at your leisure.

We'll catch another high-speed train to Rome this morning. With a history spanning over two and a half thousand years, Rome is packed with iconic ancient sites, exhilarating architecture and artistic treasures. It's the perfect place to experience la dolce vita lifestyle; picturesque piazzas, neighbourhood cafes and bars make for excellent people-watching. With so much to see and do you could easily spend many days here, so if this is your first visit, we highly recommend booking additional hotel nights after the trip ends. We'll take our luggage to our hotel before heading out for a specialist guided tour of two of Rome's most famous ancient sites, the iconic Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Our first stop is the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world and symbol of the Roman Empire. Built by Flavian Emperor Vespasian, the mighty arena could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, all attracted by gladiatorial contests, mock sea battles and executions. Heading along the Via Sacra (Sacred Way) we arrive at the Roman Forum, the scene of public meetings and law courts, it was lined with shops and open-air markets and was the site of many of the city's most imposing temples and monuments. Right above the Forum, Palatine Hill is the most central of the Seven Hills of Rome and considered the birthplace of the city, having been inhabited since 1000 B.C. We expect our sightseeing to finish late afternoon, the remainder of the afternoon/evening is left free for you to continue exploring. Make sure to find the time to stop along the way to join the locals for an essential espresso at a street-side cafe or perhaps indulge in a delicious gelato. If you wish to visit the Vatican, Rome's most popular attraction, you should book tickets to the Museum online in advance. Check the Vatican website (vatican.va) for updated information on opening times. We recommend that you do not book a timed ticket for entry any earlier than 5pm. Before the 31st of March and after the 31st of October, the final entry to the Vatican is at 4pm. If you've booked a ticket for 4 pm, please advise our tour leader who will adapt the earlier sightseeing accordingly. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can be booked online at: https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home. Please note that pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter's Basilica.

Today is free for you to continue exploring Rome. A visit to Rome's number one attraction the 'city within a city', the Vatican, is highly recommended and it's best to arrive early to avoid the crowds. Pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter's Basilica, but you must book tickets to the Vatican museums online in advance. Please note, the Vatican Museum is closed on Sundays other than the last Sunday of the month when it's free but gets very busy. Check the Vatican website (vatican.va) for updated information on opening times. Tickets for the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's wonderful frescoes, can be booked online at: https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home. At 6pm tonight we'll meet our new tour leader (if they've not already made contact with you) and any customers joining today, for our onward journey to Naples, Amalfi and Sorrento. We'll all meet in the reception area of our hotel for a welcome meeting, followed by the chance to go out for dinner for those who wish.

Today is another free day to enjoy more of Rom. Pay a visit to the Pantheon, an ancient Roman temple dedicated to all of the Gods, it's one of the best-preserved buildings from ancient Rome and continues to inspire visitors to this day. It was built by Emperor Hadrian in 125 AD on the site of a former temple built by Marcus Agrippa and it boasts the largest (unreinforced) dome in the world, measuring 142 feet in diameter. Galleria Borghese is one of the premier museums in Rome. A villa commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese to house his art collection, it includes masterpieces by Caravaggio, Bernini and Canova. Tickets can be booked online in advance. If gastronomic delights are your thing, pay a visit to the Testaccio Marke, it's one of the best places to sample Rome's diverse cuisine and excellent street food.

We'll hop on the fast train to Naples this morning. A city of diverse contrasts, Naples evokes enormous pride among the locals. Its rich history, staunch Catholicism and endless charm make it one of the most engaging cities in Italy. Our tour leader will take us on a short orientation tour of old Naples; through the old city streets, open-air markets and narrow alleyways that give us a captivating insight into the city's heart, which has gone unchanged in essence for generations. For lunch today, you might like to try the most famous Neapolitan cuisine, pizza. The traditional pizzas served here aren't as crispy as in most parts of Italy. They tend to be thinner in the centre so that the fresh tomato sauce collects and soaks into the base. It's normally then topped with a drizzling of olive oil, mozzarella and fresh basil. This afternoon our charter bus takes us on a trip to Mount Vesuvius. Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the European mainland and dominates the skyline between Naples and Pompeii, rising up from the flat, fertile landscape. Since the mighty eruption of AD 79, it has had another 18 violent eruptions. The last one, in 1944, surprised the Allied forces and destroyed an entire squadron of 88 B-25 bombers belonging to the American Air Force. From the car park (at around 1,000 metres/3,280 feet) the walk up to the volcanic crater rim (at 1,120 metres/3,674 feet) is along a well-graded cinder track and the round trip takes around an hour. From the top there are remarkable views down to Naples, the coastal plain and the glistening bay. It's a short journey from here to our hotel in Pompeii.

We'll have an early start this morning to get to the archaeological site of Pompeii for opening time. A guided walking tour takes us around this fascinating and remarkably well-preserved example of a provincial Roman city. The town once housed 15,000 people and was an important commercial centre, as well as a favourite residence of wealthy Roman patricians. Of course, on one fateful day some 2,000 years ago, this all changed when the powerful eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius buried the city, preserving the city and its citizens in layers of ash and pumice. On our tour, we'll see the extensive collonaded forum with its Temple of Jupiter and the magnificently decorated villas, such as that of the Vetii. Human casts of some of the victims trapped by the eruption give an emotive snapshot of this catastrophic event. In the afternoon, we'll take the inland route across the hills to the wonderful Amalfi coast. Our plan is to visit Ravello en route. A tranquil spot located high on a rocky promontory overlooking the azure coastal waters. The architecture here is a glorious mix of Moorish flair and aristocratic excess, and the town's captivating charms have attracted artists and writers to its enchanting streets for generations. Continuing on, we'll reach our hotel in the small resort town of Maiori which has the largest beach along the Amalfi Coast, backed by a pleasant waterfront promenade.

We'll head out on foot from our hotel this morning along the spectacular Sentiero Dei Limoni (Path of the Lemons), with some great views towards Capri and along the Amalfi Coast. The route passes through terraced lemon groves, up and down ancient staircases and through alleyways to the neighbouring village of Minori. It's not a long hike; we expect the 2.5-kilometre/1.5-mile walk to take us around an hour or so, with plenty of stops along the way to admire the scenery. From Minori, we'll catch the ferry along the coast to Amalfi. A great maritime power since the Byzantine era, Amalfi went on to reach its pinnacle during the Middle Ages, when it was an independent trading republic rivalling those of Venice, Pisa and Genoa. The 11th-century Cathedral of Saint Andrea dominates the town - a magnificent combination of Romanesque and Saracen design, with an impressive set of bronze doors that hail from Constantinople. At the far end of the town lies the Valley of the Mills, a once important centre of Amalfi's paper industry, that today echoes with the ghosts of its past glories. The rest of today has been left free to explore Amalfi or perhaps head to the beach either here or back in Maiori. You could also choose to head over to Positano by either public bus or ferry. A poor fishing village until the 1950s, Positano has grown into a chic town that is still a favourite with Hollywood stars.

We'll take the Amalfi Coast road to Sorrento today, a spectacular route with incredible views that hugs the cliffs and coves of the Tyrrhenian Sea, twisting its way past pastel-painted villages. On the Northern side of the Peninsula that takes its name, Sorrento perches atop the cliffs and overlooks the Bay of Naples. The historic centre is a warren of narrow alleys that's home to the Chiesa di San Francesco, a 14th-century church with a tranquil cloister that boasts a garden terrace with sweeping views over the bay. The centre and Piazzo Tasso (Central Square) are home to many quaint shops featuring the work of the local artisans and also restaurants where you can sample home-grown cuisine. The city is rich in historical and religious places of interest, including the remaining four gates of the old city walls. Upon arrival in Sorrento, we'll head to a local lemon grove to learn about the cultivation of the famous lemons of the region and enjoy a tasting of home-made lemon products including flavoured olive oils and limoncello.

Today you're free to relax on the Sorrento Peninsula or perhaps to visit the island of Capri. It's just a short walk to the Port of Sorrento to board a hydrofoil ferry across to the island of Capri, which takes around 20 minutes each way. There are then multiple ways for you to explore the island, but we'd recommend taking a private bus excursion to the main sights of Anacapri and Capri. From Anacapri, you could walk to the delightful museum and gardens of Villa San Michele and to the Villa Jovis - the ruins of the Roman Emperor Tiberius' cliff-top palace with impressive views over the island. Alternatively, you can take a boat to the famed Blue Grotto, which is a sea cave where the sunlight shines through it in such a way that it illuminates the waters and makes them appear bright blue. Go into the cavern to witness this natural spectacle.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Sorrento. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Sorrento at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Naples Airport (NAP), which is around a one-hour drive from our hotel.