Classic Northern Italy by Train
8 Days Starting in Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy and ending in milan
Visiting: Rome, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Bologna, Milan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ITA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 14
Age range:
25-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
This eight-day rail tour of Northern Italy starts in the capital, Rome, where we’ll fast-track past the crowds to the Colosseum, tuck into authentic food and seek out the best of the city’s baroque architecture. From here we’ll take a high-speed train north – for art and history in Florence, and a taste of the Tuscan countryside between Siena and San Gimignano. We’ll jump back on the high-speed line to Bologna for a day stuffed with gourmet foodie experiences, before zipping into Milan – for designer shops, jaw-dropping architectural feats and a regional train excursion to Lake Como.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Benvenuto A Roma!
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel La Griffe
Meals Included: Dinner
All roads – and rails – lead to Rome, and Italy’s magnificent capital is where this trip begins. After making your way to your hotel and dropping your bags in your room, we’ll meet downstairs for a welcome drink – followed by a group dinner at the hotel. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow travellers and get excited for the experiences ahead!
Activities Included:
Welcome drink and dinner
Day 2 : Step Back In Time Among Rome’S Ancient Architecture
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel La Griffe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take the metro to the Spanish Steps where you’ll meet our Local Insider for a walking tour of Rome’s architectural big-hitters. We’ll spend the morning exploring the most ancient sites, from the Roman Forum to the Pantheon, before ticking off the city’s baroque beauties, such as the Trevi Fountain. After pausing for lunch at an authentic local restaurant, we’ll skip the line to enter the Colosseum – and experience this monument to bombastic entertainment up close. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend however you like – perhaps time to sip a spritz in a sunny piazza – when in Rome!
Activities Included:
Architectural tour of Rome
Group lunch at an authentic local restaurant
Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum
Day 3 : All Aboard To Fabulous, Art-Filled Florence!
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Indigo Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be taken via private transfer to Rome Termini station, where we’ll board a high-speed train to Florence. The epicentre of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is a visual banquet of art, fashion and architecture – and this morning, after dropping your bags at your new hotel, you’ll get to see it through the eyes of a Local Insider on a guided walking tour. Come lunchtime, you’re free to explore on your own – head to the Boboli Gardens for Medici-era landscaping, or just meander the shop-lined streets.
Activities Included:
High-speed train from Rome to Florence
Half-day tour of Florence
Day 4 : Discover Two Of Tuscany’S Most Picturesque Towns
Location: Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Indigo Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up by a driver and whisked across the rolling Tuscan countryside to the terracotta-pink town of Siena. You’ll spend the morning here, exploring its medieval churches, piazzas and palazzos with our Local Insider, before finding your own spot for lunch. In the afternoon we’ll move on to the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano, where you can explore the Unesco-listed city walls and narrow old lanes of this region’s most photogenic town. We’ll arrive back in Florence early in the evening, so you’ll still have some time to explore Firenze under the stars.
Activities Included:
Road transport between Florence, Siena and San Gimignano
Morning visit of Siena
Free time in San Gimignano
Day 5 : Eat Like A Local In Bologna
Location: Bologna
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: SMY Bologna Centrale
Meals Included: Breakfast
From Florence we’ll jump on the rapid Italo line and whizz further north, to Bologna – known in Italy as La Grassa, or ‘the Fat One’, for the richness of its food. And it’s the food that we’re here for, as we start our visit with a gourmet tasting tour, led by our Local Insider and most likely featuring the city’s proudest export, Bolognese. Appetites well and truly piqued, you’ll be free to follow your nose for some lunch (or just follow a recommendation from our Insider), before having the rest of the afternoon to yourself to take in the city’s architecture, parks and student-y buzz.
Activities Included:
High-speed train from Florence to Bologna
Gourmet food tour of Bologna with tastings
Day 6 : Tour The Landmarks In Milan
Location: Milan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 43 Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We’ve ticked off three of Northern Italy’s biggest cities, but there’s one left – Milan. This morning we’ll hop back aboard the train to the fashion capital of Italy, where you’ll be met by a private chauffeur and taken to your hotel. After lunch together in the fashion capital, our Local Insider will take you on a wander of the city’s most remarkable sights – from the Duomo (arguably the third-largest cathedral in the world) to the gorgeous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping gallery. After the tour, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore – or relax – on your own.
Activities Included:
High speed train from Bologna to Milan
Lunch in Milan
Guided tour of Milan
Day 7 : Fall In Love With Lake Como
Location: Milan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 43 Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
From every angle, Lake Como is a knockout – as you’ll find out for yourself today. After breakfast, we’ll jump aboard a regional train to the village of Como, where our Local Insider will give you a personal tour of its prettiest places. Afterwards, we’ll take to the water with a ferry ride to the promontory commune of Bellagio, with its narrow cobbled lanes, gelaterias and clouds of bougainvillea. You’ll be free to stroll around and find somewhere for lunch, before we meet up to hop back on the train to Milan. As this is our last night in Italy, we’ll be heading out for a special farewell dinner at a Milanese restaurant – a perfect opportunity to toast an unforgettable Italian adventure.
Activities Included:
Return regional train from Milan to Como
Tour of Como
Visit to Bellagio
Farewell dinner in Milan
Day 8 : Arrivederci!
Location: Milan
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a final breakfast at your hotel, it’s sadly time to pack your bags and say your goodbyes. Make your way to Milan Malpensa airport (MXP) for your flight home, or continue your Italian odyssey solo!
What's Included
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Local Insider
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Accommodation
7 nights accommodation
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Meals described in the itinerary
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
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Train tickets
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Architectural tour of Rome
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Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum
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Half-day tour of Florence
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Morning visit of Siena
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Gourmet food tour of Bologna with tastings
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Guided tour of Milan
What's Not Included
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International flights
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Visas (if required)
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Optional activities
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Insurance
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Resort Taxes (Where applicable)
Accommodation
Hotel La Griffe
The imposing 19th-century facade of Hotel La Griffe is a perfect symbol for the grandeur of Italy’s capital city. Located centrally, with easy access to Roma Termini station, this classic city hotel is most notable for its gorgeous rooftop terrace, which boasts incredible views over the city's scenic rooftops and church towers.
Indigo Hotel
This boutique hotel in the heart of Florence’s charming Santa Maria Novella neighbourhood has an elegant design and a calming touch. Wake up with a morning coffee on the patio, go for a dip in the outdoor pool and dine on locally sourced delights at the onsite restaurant, serving up delicious traditional Italian dishes.
SMY Bologna Centrale
Right in the heart of Italy’s culinary capital, within easy walking distance of the train station and Bologna’s main sights, is this modern city hotel. The rooms are clean and crisp, the lobby spaces open and stylish, and the in-house restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner throughout the day.
Hotel 43 Station
This unique contemporary space is a carefully designed hotel with a particular emphasis on intelligent lighting, partly inspired by the hotel’s eco-friendly ethos. The facilities are modern and high tech, the ambience is fresh and welcoming, and its location down the road from Milan’s Central Station is extremely convenient.
Please note that, while unlikely, the accommodation indicated may be subject to change (see T&C’s). On a rare occasion, alternative arrangements may be necessary – this may be due to a lack of availability at our preferred accommodation, or other reasons outside our control. We’ll do everything we can to prevent this from happening; however, in cases where it is unavoidable, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included?
Your arrival transfer from Rome Airport (FCO) to your hotel is not included. If you would like to add a transfer onto your booking, you can contact our Travel Experts who will be able to assist. If you would prefer to make your own way to the hotel, taxis are available at the airport. The hotel is located 30 kms (18.6 miles) from the airport and the journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Your departure airport transfer from Milan to Milan airport (MXP) is not included. If you would like to add a departure transfer onto your booking, you can contact our Travel Experts who will be able to assist. If you would prefer to make your own way back to the airport, your Local Insider or the hotel reception will be able to arrange a taxi for you.
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What happens if I need to amend or cancel my booking?
You can change the date of your tour up to 60 days prior to departure and cancel at any time, although cancellation conditions may apply.
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How fit do I need to be to take one of your trips?
We offer a variety of different trips, most of which do not require a specific level of fitness. Some of our trips are more active, but we include details on each specific trip information page. If you are unsure please don’t hesitate to ask one of our Travel Experts.
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Are flights / transport to the destination included?
No - our travellers come from all over the world so flights and / or transport to the start destination are not included.
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Can I book extra nights accommodation before or after my trip?
Yes, call or email one of our Travel Experts who will be able to add accommodation to your booking.
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Do I need any vaccinations?
As a tour operator we are unable to give medical advice, however we suggest you contact your doctor, a professional medical travel clinic or check out the World Health Organisation website for more details.
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Do I need to tip?
Tips are not included in the price of your trip but are entirely optional and at your discretion.
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What visas do I need?
Depending on your passport and your destination, you may need a visa to travel on one of our trips. It is up to you to ensure you have any and all necessary visas before you travel. We recommend you check with a specialist visa agency at least 6 weeks before you travel.
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What is the group size?
Our maximum group size is 14, although our average group size is 10-12 people. Group travel is a great way to meet other people, and you will have the safety of travelling with a group, but you can also decide how much time you want to spend by yourself.
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When will I know if my trip is guaranteed?
We usually wait until we have a few travellers booked on a trip before we guarantee it will run. The latest we will guarantee a trip is 60 days ahead of departure, often it will be long before.
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How much money should I bring?
This will depend on how long your trip is, your destination and how much you intend to spend on personal expenses and any meals that aren’t included. It is a good idea to check out the cost of a local lunch and dinner in your destination before you travel.
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What is not included in the trip?
We don’t include the following in our trips: insurance (however you must have insurance to travel on one of our trips), flights, tips for local guides, optional activities and other meals and services not mentioned in your itinerary.
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Can I travel in my own private group?
Yes you can. Our team of Travel Experts can put together a bespoke trip to suit all group sizes in most destinations around the world. Please contact us for more details.
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What kind of luggage should I bring?
It depends on the type of trip you have booked, but we usually recommend a soft sided bag or case as they are easier to handle on a trip.
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Do I need to buy travel insurance?
Yes - all travellers must have travel insurance before they join one of our trips. You are strongly advised to take out your policy at the time of booking to protect your holiday payments in the event of cancellation.
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What kind of transport do you use on your trips?
We use a mix of public and private transport on our trips, but usually a small and comfortable minibus, so we can access more remote destinations that larger groups can’t get to.
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Will there always be a guide on the trip?
Absolutely yes. We pride ourselves on our expert Local Insiders - they are an integral part of what makes our trips so special. Your Local Insider will accompany you throughout the trip and is there to help and assist in any way possible as well as ensure everything works to time.
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How many meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily and then depending on your itinerary, some lunches and dinners. This is clearly indicated in the trip details or ask your Travel Expert to confirm.
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Why should I travel with Culture Trip?
We know the world's best bits – our award-winning content proves it. Now we’re using that expertise to bring you curated trips that combine thoughtful planning with authentic experiences and hand-picked accommodation. Led by Local Insiders, our trips bring together small groups of curious travellers who embrace the value of shared experiences, cultural immersion and travel that never feels rushed.
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Is there any age limit on the Trips?
You must be 25 or over to travel on our trips, however there is no upper age limit. You just need a sense of adventure.
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What happens if I am travelling on my own?
Most accommodations on our trips are reserved on a twin share basis. Therefore, if you are travelling on your own you will be sharing a room with another Culture Trip traveller of the same sex. However, most of the time it is possible to pay a supplement for your own room. Please ask your Travel Expert for more information.
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I booked but cannot travel anymore. What are the amendments and cancellation options?
We understand plans can change and that’s why we offer flexible booking conditions. You can change or cancel your booking at any time up to 56 days prior to departure and receive a full refund of any funds you have already paid towards your trip.
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Do I have to make full payment at the time of booking?
You do not have to make full payment at the time of booking. We only require a small, fully refundable deposit of $100 to secure your spot on the trip. Full payment is due at the latest 56 days prior to departure.
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Do I have to take part in all the activities? Will there be free time on my trip?
The amount of free time varies per trip. Please enquire with our travel experts to get a proper understanding on the amount of free time on the trips you are interested in. You do not have to take part in all activities but we strongly encourage you to do so! We have carefully crafted each trip to show you the best of every destination, so you’d be missing out! Also taking part in activities is a great way to get to know your travel companions and make new friends. Nothing like a positive and supportive group environment to venture outside of your comfort zone and surprise yourself!
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What is a Local Insider?
We believe there’s no better way to discover a new place and a new culture than by experiencing it through the eyes and experience of a local. That’s why we only work with local guides - whom we name our Local Insiders. They know their region inside out and have a passion for sharing it with travellers. All our Local Insiders have years of experience guiding and speak English. Importantly, they like to travel the way we like it too: away from crowds, tourist traps and queues. Focussing on the true essence of a destination, teaching you all about the local culture and profusely sharing local hidden gems and insights.
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Free Date Changes
Culture Trip allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 55 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Culture Trip allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform culture trip, 55 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Culture Trip requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 55 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of culture trip charges.
At 54 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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