BY RAIL
VENICE, FLORENCE AND ROME BY TRAIN TOUR
11 nights / 12 days From £ 3,090 per person
Florence
VENICE • FLORENCE • ROME
This rail holiday to the three great Italian cities of Venice, Florence and Rome transports you by train from London to Venice, in between the three cities and then back to London. Timings allow you to choose arrival and departures from the cities to maximise your stay in each one.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY ONE London to Paris and sleeper train to Venice You begin your rail touring holiday by travelling out on an afternoon Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Following a change of station in Paris continue by Thello sleeper train overnight to Venice. We recommend the two bed sleeper compartments on the Thello train. There is a washbasin in the compartments and shared toilets in each carriage.
DAY TWO Arrive in Venice The sleeper train arrives at Venice Santa Lucia station at about 09.30 hrs, and then you are met and transferred by private water taxi to your hotel. An early check-in can be booked at a supplement depending on availability. Spend the rest of the day starting your exploration of Venice.
DAYS THREE AND FOUR In Venice You have two full days in Venice. More than a city, Venice“ La Serenissima” is an enchantress. Take the time to discover her winding streets, canals, quiet squares and lively waterfronts. The obvious place to start is at St Mark’ s Square, best appreciated whilst sipping a Venetian coffee at Florian’ s. St Mark’ s Basilica, the Doge’ s Palace and the Campanile can all be visited. The magnificent churches of Venice are worth seeking out: Santa Maria della Salute, Ss Giovanni e Paolo, and Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari( with works by Titian), Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the Gesuiti. There is a clutch of art galleries to be enjoyed including the Ca’ Pesaro, the Ca’ d’ Oro, the Galleria dell’ Accademia, the Scuola di San Rocco and for modern art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The streets of Venice also contain a treasure trove of tiny artisan shops selling glassware, masks, lace and silk, and shoes. To absorb the magic of Venice from the water, treat yourself to a ride in a gondola. Across the lagoon, and reached by vaporetto, are the islands of Burano, home to lace-making and fishermen, and Murano, where master craftsmen offer demonstrations of glass-making before you enter their shops.
DAY FIVE Venice to Florence A private water taxi will take you to Venice Santa Lucia station for your train to Florence. Once in Florence at Santa Maria Novella station, a private car will transfer you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring Florence and trying the local cuisine.
DAYS SIX AND SEVEN In Florence You have two full days to explore Florence, the ancient capital of the Medicis and home to a wealth of Renaissance treasures. A visit to see Michelangelo’ s David in the Accademia is high on the list of things to do in Florence, along with the majestic architecture of the Duomo and the beautiful work of the silversmiths that line the Ponte Vecchio. In addition to the obvious of the Accademia and the Uffizi, visit the Bargello and the Chapel of the Magi in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi to marvel at the fresco by Benozzo Gozzoil. As well as the Duomo, there are many other, smaller churches of architectural and artistic significance including San Marco, with some fine works by Fra Angelico, Orsanmichele, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce and San Lorenzo. Florence is home to numerous artisan workshops, and handcrafted leather, jewellery and paper goods are available throughout the city. For a panoramic view of the city, its rooftops and the valley of the River Arno, take a bus or taxi to Fiesole, perched on the hill above the city. If you have special interests in Florence, then let us arrange a private guide for you or let us book you seats at the opera or a concert.
DAY EIGHT Florence to Rome We will discuss timings with you as the journey from Florence to Rome is only about two hours, and a private car will take you from your hotel to the station in Florence and meet you at Rome Termini station to take you to your centrally located hotel in Rome.
60 To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk