Mix & Match: Italy by Rail

Welcome to Rome! Your private transfer is ready to take you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You will enjoy hotels located in the heart of the city with close proximity to the train station and all the sights that Rome has to offer. Special Information Please note - the rest of the Italy itinerary is unescorted, with local guides joining you for day tours along the way. You will make your own way between destinations. Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before making your way to the meeting point to join the Imperial Tour of Rome. Accompanied by a local guide, step back in time as you explore Rome's most significant ancient monuments. Walk through the Roman Forum, surrounded by the ruins of ancient government buildings, then continue with skip-the-line access to the mighty Colosseum, where you walk its tiers in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors past. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own. You may wish to visit the Roman catacombs, take an electric bike tour through the old centre, or spend the evening in the lively Trastevere district. Inspiring Highlights The Roman Forum Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum Special Information The Colosseum and Roman Forum group tour runs for around three hours with a local guide and includes entrance tickets.

After breakfast, make your way to Rome Termini station to board the high-speed train to Florence. On arrival, make your way to the hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure. Florence is regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance. You may wish to arrange a guided visit to the Uffizi Galleries or the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's original statue of David, or take a half day trip to Pisa and its leaning tower. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then join your local guide for a half day tour of Florence. Discover the squares and monuments that have made the city one of the most visited in the world, tracing centuries of history at the heart of the Renaissance. The rest of the day is at leisure to return to the sights and museums at your own pace, browse the markets, or head out into the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Inspiring Highlights Half day guided tour of Florence Special Information The half day tour of Florence is a group tour led by a local guide. Hotel pick-up is not included.

After breakfast, board the high-speed train to Venezia Santa Lucia. On arrival, make your way to the hotel before taking to the water this afternoon for a 30 minute gondola ride. For the rest of the day you are free to explore the canals or surrounding islands of Venice on your own. Get lost wandering the winding canals, shop at the many boutiques or enjoy a gelato in one of the many piazza's. Inspiring Highlights 30 minute gondola ride Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours. The gondola ride is shared with other passengers, and commentary is provided through an app downloaded to your own smartphone (available in English, Spanish, Russian and French).

Today is free to explore Venice and its lagoon. In the city, you might take a walking tour of the best known sights, among them Piazza San Marco with its basilica and clock tower, the Rialto Bridge and Campo Santa Maria Formosa, or visit the Doge's Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs.Alternatively, a boat trip out to the lagoon islands makes for a rewarding day: Murano, known for its glassmaking; Burano, with its lace and brightly painted houses; and Torcello, the first settlement in the lagoon.

After breakfast, board the high-speed train to Milan. On arrival, make your way to the hotel, with the rest of the day free to explore the fashion capital on your own. A 24 hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket is included, with audio commentary, making it easy to reach Milan's landmarks, among them the Duomo, the Castello Sforzesco, the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio and the Navigli canals. You may also wish to visit the Teatro alla Scala and its museum, take a bike tour, or spend the day at the Serravalle outlet. Inspiring Highlights A 24 hour hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours. The 24 hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket includes audio commentary (available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and French). Guests booked on the 4* upgraded package will be accommodated at NYX Hotel Milan or similar

Your Italian journey comes to an end after breakfast at the hotel. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfer for an easier departure (additional charges apply). Access to the portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.