Venice
Rome
DAYS NINE AND TEN In Rome Rome is the capital city of Italy and as the capital city of the Roman Empire was widely regarded as the birthplace of western civilization. The city has a unique atmosphere of any in Italy, due to its huge wealth of sites to see, dating back not just from the Roman era, but from mediaeval and Renaissance periods as well and you could spend a lifetime visiting all the historical and architectural sites the city has to offer. Most visitors come to Rome to see the foundations of the Roman Empire in the form of the Colosseum, The Forum and the Circus Maximus, to name but a few. However, visitors nearly always allow time for a visit to the Vatican Museum and the Basilica of St Peter. The historic centre is perfectly manageable on foot as it is in fact quite compact although there is an underground system too. Other places worth including in your itinerary of Rome are the Campo de’ Fiori food market, the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona, home to Bernini’ s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. Afternoon tea is worth taking in the Caffe delle Arti inside the Galleria Nazionale d’ Arte Moderna, with a shady terrace in fine weather.
DAY ELEVEN Rome to Milan and sleeper train to Paris You have the majority of your last day at leisure in Rome before the private car collects you to take you to the train station for a train to Milan. Perhaps allow time to break the journey for dinner in Milan before you board the sleeper that leaves Milan at about 23.00 hrs for Paris.
DAY TWELVE Paris to London by train You arrive into Paris Lyon at about 9.30am, and after changing stations you then take the Eurostar back to London where you arrive at lunchtime.
Hotel Bisanzio, Venice
Hotel Brunelleschi, Florence
What’ s included
• Second-class travel on all trains, with standard class on Eurostar
• Double sleeper compartment on Thello sleeper train Paris to Milan, Milan to Paris overnight each way
• Private car and water taxi transfers from train stations to hotels in Venice, Florence & Rome
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic room at the Hotel Bisanzio in Venice
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic room at the Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic room at the Hotel Mascagni in Rome
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
What’ s not included
• Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
• Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
• Transfers in Paris
PRICES
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room and including standard class rail travel From £ 3,090
Supplements
• Standard premier / first class £ 280 per person
Holiday code ITBR04
Hotel Mascagni, Rome
To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk 61