Rail Tour: Art Cities Of Italy 4* (7 Days/6 Nights)

Arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport, possibility to meet our staff at the airport (to be reconfirmed according to seasonality and flight details) and transfer to the hotel by a private car and hotel accommodation. During the rest of the day free time at your disposal for a first exploratory tour of the Eternal City. A 24-hour ticket for a double-decker tourist bus (with multilingual audio guide) is included, which can also be used for getting around the city, ideal for those who want to go sightseeing on their own to discover the most famous symbols of Rome, such as the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. In case of an early arrival in Rome, we recommend a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica, to admire Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel and other masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance. It is also possible to participate in a series of other optional activities, such as a Segway or Vespa tours, a cooking lesson to learn how to make pizza and ice cream. For dinner we suggest trying a typical Roman restaurant. Overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: --

Breakfast at the hotel, then another day dedicated to discovering the city. We suggest our tour of Imperial Rome, to closely admire the monuments of the Roman Forum, enter the Coliseum and listen to our guide’s presentation of the evocative history of Ancient Rome and the gladiators’ fights that took place there. Or you can join an excursion to Naples and Pompeii to discover the enchanting city of Naples and the archaeological site of Pompeii. For the sporty ones there is also the option of an electric bike tour, to discover the historic centre with its symbols or even a more secret and unusual Rome. For the evening we recommend a nice walk in the Trastevere district, full of typical restaurants. Overnight stay at the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will reach Rome Termini station to board the high-speed train to Florence; the journey takes about 1h 30’. After arriving, hotel accommodation and free time available for an independent visit of the city, the 'cradle of the Renaissance'. Among the places that certainly are worth to be seen we must include Piazza della Signoria, the medieval heart of the city, Piazza Santa Croce with its past noble families’ buildings, and the home of Dante, the Supreme Poet author of the Divine Comedy. A small taste of typical local products is included to make a pleasant stop during a first exploratory tour of the city and its wonders. Possibility of a guided skip-the-line tour of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which guarantees an exclusive access to the famous Brunelleschi dome and above all to the terraces of the church, which offer a breathtaking view of the city from above. Alternatively, those who are fond of food can have an engaging Italian cooking lesson, which begins at the "Central Market", the largest, most vibrant and colourful food market in the city. Here the chef will illustrate the various local specialties and teach you how to recognize the best and tastiest ingredients. At the end of the lesson you will receive a certificate of participation and a recipe book. Overnight stay at the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast.