Florence & Sorrento by Rail
- 10
- £1,399
- Italy Amalfi Coast
- London to Florence with a night in the Swiss city of Basel on the way
- Renaissance Florence, home to the Uffizi Gallery and relaxing Boboli Gardens
- Sun-drenched Sorrento, gateway to the Amalfi Coast
- Break your journey in historic Turin on the way back to the UK
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 9 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
PLEASE NOTE: Due to a landslide on the rail line between Turin and Paris, we will need to reroute the return journey of this holiday for travel before summer 2024. There are lots of other options which we can discuss with you.
Suggested Itinerary
Board a Eurostar at London St Pancras and travel through Kent, under the English Channel and across northern France to Paris. Here, disembark and make the the 10-minute transfer on foot to the Gare de l’Est (we will include directions for this) . You’ll then catch a high-speed TGV which will whisk you down to Strasbourg, where you catch a regional service for the last part of the journey to Basel, just over the Swiss border.
Check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel Gaia (or similar) and then perhaps head out for dinner in Basel.
This morning, take a Swiss service from Basel down to Bellinzona in the Italian speaking canton (state) of Ticino. From here, your journey takes you into Italy, via Milan to the wonderful city of Florence,
Disembark at Santa Maria Novella station and head for the Hotel Berchielli (or similar) where you will be spending 2 nights.
Enjoy a full day exploring the beautiful Tuscan capital Florence, home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. Don’t miss a visit to one of the city’s famous art galleries, including the magnificent Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace. Behind the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens offer stunning panoramic views over the city centre, dominated by Brunelleschi’s iconic dome atop the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore.
In the evening, there are hundreds of options for dining out, ranging from delicious street food to Michelin starred restaurants.
Catch a morning train south to Naples today, changing in Naples onto the Circumvesuviana line (payable locally) which takes you around Mount Vesuvius to Sorrento. On arrival, check in at the Hotel Antiche Mura (or similar) for a 4-night stay.
Spend your first afternoon in Sorrento relaxing with a coffee or chilled glass of limoncello on the Piazza Tasso or a passaggiata (stroll) along the coast.
Boasting a picture-perfect location on a cliff top above the sea, overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento was an essential stop on the Grand Tour in the 17th & 18th centuries and has been popular with tourists since Roman times.
Along with the charm of the town centre and the accessible walks along the coast, this resort town also offers easy access to the popular towns along the Amalfi Coast and nearby Pompeii. If you would like us to include a trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum with your holiday, please let us know.
Leave Sorrento today at your own leisure and retrace your steps, catching the privately-run regional train up the coast back to Naples. When you arrive in Naples, check in at the San Pietro Hotel (or similar) where you have an overnight stay.
Dating back to the 2nd millennium BC, Naples offers a wealth of historic art and architecture. It’s also said to be the birthplace of pizza, so it would be remiss not to try some before you leave!
After breakfast this morning, return to the station and catch a train northwards, all the way up the spine of Italy to Turin. On arrival, check in at the Starhotels Majestic (or similar) where you have an overnight stay.
Turin is an historic city with some great museums and a proud food culture. If you have the time, we’d highly recommend spending an extra night here to explore. Otherwise, spend your free evening wandering around the centre of town and choosing a restaurant for dinner.
It’s time to head for home today as you board a TGV service bound for Paris. On arrival at the Gare de Lyon, make your way to the RER (rapid metro station) for the short, direct journey to the Gare du Nord. Here, you’ll catch your return Eurostar back to the UK.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Basel
The Gaia is a family-run hotel with an historic façade and contemporary interior, located opposite the main SBB station. There are 86 non-smoking bedrooms, all with free Wi-Fi and a complimentary minibar. Guests can also make use of the hotel’s relaxing spa area and welcoming bar.
Florence
In a fabulous position overlooking the River Arno and the Ponte Vecchio, the Hotel Berchielli is the perfect base for a first visit to Florence. Rooms at the hotel are soundproofed and air-conditioned, with antique decoration and complimentary Wi-Fi access. There is also an American style bar where guests can enjoy a coffee or a cocktail.
Sorrento
The Antiche Mura Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of Sorrento, close to the station and within walking distance of the sea. Bedrooms are furnished in a classic style with air-conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi access.There’s an indoor bar and one by the outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by citrus trees, where you can lounge with a limoncello after a day of sightseeing.
Naples
The San Pietro Hotel offers a welcoming base in the heart of Naples, close to the main train station. Along with well-appointed non-smoking bedrooms, the hotel also boasts a bar and outdoor terrace, a 24-hour reception and free Wi-Fi internet access throughout.
Turin
This polished, 19th century hotel is located near all Turin’s main attractions and features modern bedrooms, an elegant restaurant complete with stained glass skylight, and an exercise room. A buffet breakfast is provided daily at the hotel. Le Regine Restaurant by Eataly serves both Piedmont and international cuisine.
