Rome, Pompeii and Carthage by Rail
- Stop for nights in Strasbourg and Locarno en route to Rome
- Travel south to Naples and enjoy a guided day trip to Pompeii
- Catch a sleeper train across the Straits of Messina to Palermo, Sicily
- Take a ferry across the Mediterranean to Tunis
- Visit the ruins of Carthage and Roman Africa’s second city, Sousse
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade your trains and hotels
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 11 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Overnight sleeper travel in a private 2-berth compartment
- Ferry from Palermo to Tunis
- Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill small group tour in Rome
- Pompeii small group tour with guide from Naples, including entrance tickets
- Carthage discovery half-day tour from Tunis
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
Suggested Itinerary
Start your epic adventure today with a Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris. It’s an easy connection to the Gare de l’Est where you board a high-speed TGV bound for Strasbourg. Arrive in Strasbourg in the early evening and check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel des Vosges (or similar).
Spend an evening in the pretty Old Town area of Strasbourg and the endlessly photographed Petite France district with its half-timbered houses and canals.
Leave Strasbourg after breakfast this morning and catch a train to Basel on the Swiss border. From here, a direct service takes you on the Gotthard route through (and under) the Alps to the Italian-speaking region of Ticino. Arrive into Locarno on the Swiss shore of Lake Maggiore and check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel Garni au Lac (or similar).
This evening, why not enjoy a stroll along the lakefront or some authentic Italian food in one of Locarno’s pretty Piazzas?
It’s time to continue your journey south today, as you take the train into Italy, changing at Milan (with time to buy some supplies for lunch) and then heading on to Rome. If you’d like to extend your stop in Milan and have time for a leisurely lunch there, just let us know.
Once you arrive into Rome, you have 2 nights at the Hotel Colosseum (or similar).
Enjoy two full days soaking up the sights of the Eternal City. Also known as the ‘Cradle of Civilisation’, Rome was founded around 753BC and was once at the centre of a vast empire spanning much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Famous sites here include the Trevi Fountain, the Castel Sant’Angelo and the Pantheon.
During your stay, you have a small-group guided tour taking in the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. This 3-hour tour will give you an insight into life in Ancient Rome as you walk in the footsteps of emperors, plebeians and gladiators!
It’s time to pick up your journey towards Africa today as you leave Rome behind and head further down the boot of Italy to Naples, travelling by high-speed Frecciarossa (red arrow) train. Arrive into Naples Centrale and make your way to the Hotel San Pietro (or similar) where you have a 2-night stay.
Big, brash and bustling, Naples has seen a huge upsurge in tourism in the last few years. It’s now one of the most visited cities in Italy and is arguably the most “authentic” of Italian destinations. Prepare for an assault on the senses as you walk through narrow streets thronging with locals and vendors selling delicious street food – including Naples’ own pizza!
You’ll also have a day trip to the fascinating archaeological site at Pompeii – once a huge Roman city and famously buried and preserved under a cloud of ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD.
Enjoy free time in Naples before your sleeper train this evening. There’s a wealth of things to see and do here from colourful markets to some stunning churches. We would highly recommend a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, which contains some of the treasures removed from Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae.
This evening, collect your bags and return to the station for your sleeper service bound for Sicily. We’d recommend taking supplies of food onboard for your journey.
Arrive this morning into Palermo and check in at the Quintocanto Hotel (or similar). You may not be able to get into your room this morning but you will be able to leave your bags. Ask us about booking an extra night to ensure an early check in if you would prefer this.
Palermo is the capital of Sicily and also the island’s cultural and economic hub. Spend a day exploring here, perhaps visiting the 12th century Cathedral, browsing the Ballarò street market or relaxing on Mondello Beach.
It’s time for the final leg of your journey today. Spend a free morning in Palermo and then at lunchtime, head for the port and catch a ferry which will take you across the Mediterranean to North Africa and the port of Tunis.
You’ll arrive late in the evening, so we have included a transfer here to meet you and take you to the Dar El Medina Hotel (or similar) for your 3-night stay.
You have a full two days to discover the Tunisian capital, with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina, bustling souks and fascinating museums.
Also included in your holiday is a half-day tour with a licensed guide to the ancient city of Carthage, just outside the city, which has evidence of human settlement dating back to the 4th century BC. Walk through the coastal ruins and learn about the history of Carthage from its Phoenician beginnings to the Siege of Carthage and the Roman City that sprung up from the ruins at the turn of the millennium.
Leave Tunis today for your return flight to the UK (not included). If you’d like to continue your North African adventure, there are train connections from Tunis to other exciting destinations in the country. Trains are modern and air-conditioned. We recommend the ancient city of Sousse, less than 3 hours down the coast. Please call us to tailor-make your holiday.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Strasbourg
Conveniently located on the Place de la Gare, opposite Strasbourg’s main station, the Hotel des Vosges offers comfortable, modern accommodation in a refurbished Art Deco building. Bedrooms are furnished in a relaxed, classic style with en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi access and coffee & tea making facilities. The hotel also offers a cocktail bar and a well-equipped gym.
Locarno
The Hotel Du Lac is located 200 yards from the train station, the funicular, the pier and the bus stop for all your excursions and is only a few steps away from Locarno’s old town and the lake. All rooms are non-smoking, air-conditioned and have been completely renovated in 2009. Most of them offer views of Lake Maggiore or the Piazza Grande.
Rome
Found in Rome’s oldest district, the Hotel Colosseum is ideally situated to help you explore this beautiful and historic city. Rooms are a tasteful combination of antique furniture and modern comforts, including air conditioning and free Wi-Fi access. On the rooftop, you will find a stunning terrace open all year round where you can watch the sun set on the eternal city.
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.
Palermo, Sicily
Right in the heart of Palermo’s old centre, the Quintocanto Hotel is housed in a building which dates back to the 16th-century, and has been lovingly restored. After a day of sightseeing, unwind in the spa, which features saunas, whirlpools and Turkish baths.
Tunis
Ideally situated in the Medina district of Tunis, the Dar el Medina Hotel offers comfortable accommodation set around a pretty courtyard. Bedrooms are all air-conditioned and all feature a patio with city views. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property and there is also a restaurant serving local and Mediterranean cuisine.
