Grand Tour of Italy
- 22
- £2,599
- Italy
- Nine fantastic destinations in three weeks
- The cultural capitals of Venice, Rome and Florence combined with Lake Como and the destinations of the Amalfi Coast and Catania in Sicily
- Return rail travel to Italy via Munich on the way out and Zurich on the return
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade your hotels
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 21 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
Suggested Itinerary
Leave London St Pancras late morning and take the Eurostar to Paris. It’s an easy change of 10 minutes on foot or a short cab ride to the Gare de l’Est where you pick up the direct TGV service which will take you across the German border to Stuttgart. On arrival, check in for an overnight stay at the Arcotel Camino (or similar).
Spend a free evening in Stuttgart, perhaps enjoying a meal in the historic Stuttgart-Mitte district, home to the Old and New Palaces.
After breakfast this morning, return to the station for a journey into the mountains. You’ll start with an ICE service to Munich, with enough time for lunch here before you continue into the Austrian and Italian Tyrol. Your home for tonight is Bolzano, a bi-lingual city surrounded by mountains which is just over the Italian border. Enjoy an overnight stay at the Parkhotel Laurin (or similar).
Continue through the Tyrol region, along the famous Brenner Pass. You’ll pass through Verona and then cross the lagoon into the heart of Venice island and alight the train into the bustle of Santa Lucia station.
Take the Vaporetto down the Grand Canal to the Giorgione Hotel (or similar) where you will spend 2 nights.
Spend a full day exploring magical Venice. Gravitate towards St Mark’s Square, the regal piazza that opens out onto the mouth of the Grand Canal and the Venetian Lagoon. Elsewhere, don’t miss the art collection at the Accademia, or a boat ride to one of the other islands in the lagoon, such as Murano or Burano.
TMR RECOMMENDS: Stay longer in Venice so that you have more time to explore this unique city.
After a leisurely breakfast, take a train of just under 4 hours to Rome, arriving in the afternoon. Check into The Guardian Hotel (or similar) for your 3-night stay.
Spend two full days exploring this iconic destination and its landmarks including the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican City including St Peter’s Cathedral and the Sistine Chapel.
In the morning, board a direct train of less than 2 hours to Salerno. Take a short taxi ride to the Hotel Raito (or similar) in Vietri sul Mare at the eastern end of the Amalfi Coast. You will have a 2-night stay here.
From your base in Vietri you will be able to explore this stunning stretch of coastline at leisure. Don’t miss visits to stunning Positano or the lovely town of Amalfi itself, both carved out of the cliffs along the Amalfi Coast.
Take a mid-morning train from Salerno station that runs down the western coast of Italy and right onto the “toe” arriving at the Straits of Messina. The train then runs onto a boat as you cross the Straits, seamlessly connecting with the Sicilian rail network and onwards down to Catania.
Upon arrival, check in at the centrally located Romano House Hotel (or similar) for your 4-night stay.
Enjoy three full days at leisure in the historic port city of Catania on the Ionian Sea. There’s plenty to discover here including a richly decorated cathedral and the Castello Ursino housing a museum of Catania’s history.
For the more adventurous types, it’s possible to take in a tour to Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. Jeep safaris and trekking tours are also possible. Ask one of the team for details.
Board a direct train from Catania to Naples, arriving in the afternoon. Check into the Grand Hotel Parker’s (or similar), for an overnight stay on a quiet hilltop overlooking Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.
Naples is one of the oldest cities in the world with plenty of attractions to discover. No visit here would be complete without trying a slice of pizza in the city where the pizza was born!
Take a short train journey from Naples to Florence, the stunning capital of Tuscany, and check into the Hotel Berchielli (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic centre and famous sights including the magnificent cathedral and the Boboli Gardens.
Take a memorable day trip to Pisa and the Cinque Terre, a collection of pastel-coloured villages dotted along the Ligurian coastline.
Travel from Florence to beautiful Lake Como via an easy platform change in Milan. Upon arrival, check in for 3 nights at the Barchetta Excelsior Hotel (or similar), located right on the waterfront.
Spend your two full days exploring the pretty town of Como, or head to the pier where you can board boats to a range of destinations up and down the lake. Visit Cernobbio and its famous millionaires’ villas, or the smaller resorts of Moltrasio or Faggeto Lario for an authentic Lake Como experience.
Your grand tour of Italy draws to a close today as you travel from Lake Como to Zurich for your final night. Take a scenic journey through the Gotthard Pass, high in the Alps.
Arrive into Zurich and check into the conveniently located Hotel Sorell Rütli (or similar) for an overnight stay. Enjoy an evening strolling the lakeside promenade or wandering through the cobbled streets of the Old Town.
After breakfast in your hotel, return to the station and take a high-speed train from Zurich to Paris. Here, transfer to the Gare du Nord where you will board your Eurostar back to the UK.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Stuttgart
Offering soundproofed with internet, spa facilities, and fine Swabian cuisine, this stylish, 4-star superior hotel is just a 5-minute walk from . WiFi is available in all areas. The hotel provides spacious, air-conditioned rooms and apartments with flat-screen TV and a laptop safe. The pa area features a Finnish sauna, rain forest shower, and steam room.
Bolzano
Located within easy reach of Bolzano’s main station and the centre of town, this historic Art Nouveau hotel dates back to 1910. Bedrooms are furnished in a classic style with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, sound-proofing and flat-screen TVs. The on-site restaurant serves regional specialities and you can dine outside on warm evenings. There is also a seasonal outdoor pool.
Venice
The Giorgione is a traditional Venetian hotel occupying an 18th century building in the Cannaregio district of the city, within easy walking distance of the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge. Bedrooms are elegantly furnished with antique furniture and Murano glass chandeliers. Wi-Fi internet access is free throughout the property. There is also a small swimming pool and an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy breakfast in the summer months.
Rome
The Guardian Hotel occupies a 19th-century building a 10-minute walk from Rome’s Termini station. Bedrooms are elegantly furnished in a modern. classic style with tea & coffee making facilities, flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi internet access. The rooftop restaurant and lounge bar serves up an international menu with fine views.
Amalfi Coast
Set on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, this superb 5-star property is perfect for exploring the eastern Amalfi Coast, while maintaining good access to the main transport links in nearby Salerno. The ExPure Spa features Turkish hammam and sauna, while guests also appreciate the 2 outdoor pools with sea views.
Catania, Sicily
Housed in an 18th-century aristocratic building in Catania’s baroque area, the 50-room Romano House Hotel is a firm favourite with guests who appreciate the culture and history of Sicily. Il Riccio restaurant serves traditional Sicilian dishes and there is an extensive cocktail list at the hotel’s impressive and chic bar.
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.
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.
Como
Overlooking Piazza Cavour on the shore of Lake Como, this modern hotel offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Some rooms have lake views and/or balconies. Guests can enjoy fine regional cuisine at the in-house restaurant, Bistro.
Zurich
Located on the edge of Zurich’s Old Town, within easy walking distance of the station, the Sorell Hotel Rütli offers modern, classically furnished bedrooms, all with free Wi-Fi internet access, a coffee machine and a minibar. There is also a lobby bar, where you can enjoy a nightcap or coffee and cake.
Upgrade your accommodation
Venice
One of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Luna Baglioni is simply the best in Venetian opulence. Housed in a magnificent Venetian Palace, the hotel boasts an award-winning restaurant, Canova, as well as Caffe Baglioni, where delicious coffees and pastries are available throughout the day.
Rome
Occupying a great location on the Via Veneto, close to the Villa Borghese gardens, the Majestic Roma features spacious and elegantly decorated bedrooms, a lovely restaurant with a terrace overlooking the street and a well-equipped gym. The hotel has been accommodating guests since 1889 and is one of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Catania
The Palazzo Sangiorgio is located in Catania’s historic centre, close to Piazza Duomo. Bedrooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, kettle, minibar and balcony. An a la carte or buffet breakfast is served daily and there is also a restaurant serving local specialities. Enjoy a relaxing treatment at the hotel’s spa with mini whirlpool pool.
Naples
This stately 19th-century hotel overlooks the Bay of Naples and features period rooms and marble bathrooms. Upgraded rooms have balconies with city or ocean views. Facilities include a rooftop restaurant and bar with panoramic sea views, a fitness room, and a spa with a hammam, sauna and hot tub.
Florence
The stylish Savoy Hotel in Florence occupies a historic building in the centre of the city with the Uffizi Gallery and the famous Duomo both within easy reach. The interior of the hotel is designed by Olga Polizzi and pays tribute to the fashion heritage of Florence with shoe paintings lining the corridors. Bedrooms are spacious and the service is exceptional.
Zurich
The Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich is located opposite the railway station and offers soundproofed rooms with electrically adjustable beds. Its French restaurant ‘La Soupière’ offers delicious seasonal cuisine. The Café Gourmet serves fine antipasti, salads, pastry and the Schweizerhof Bar is famous for its wide selection of whisky.
