Top Italy Rail Tours - page 2

Nothing says Italy like pizza, pasta, and gelato—but what happens when your vacation ends? Learn how to recreate these quintessential treats during this half-day culinary experience in the Tuscan countryside. Your professional Italian chef provides a fun hands-on cooking lesson that culminates in a 3-course feast of appetizers, pizza or pasta, and gelato, accompanied by wine and beer. Then, receive recipes to take home and practice your newfound skills.

Avoid tackling tricky travel logistics and explore the idyllic landscapes of Lake Como and the nearby off-the-beaten-path area stress-free on this small-group guided tour from Milan. Enjoy round-trip transport by train to Varenna, take a stroll through this charming village, then hop on the ferry for the short ride first to Bellagio and then to Menaggio. Finally, drive along the panoramic lake shore to admire spectacular views and reach the nearby valley and its terraced vineyards before returning to Milan.

Discover the charm of Lake Como without the crowds with a small-group tour from Milan. In the company of an expert guide, visit the villages of Bellagio and Varenna, explore hidden gems, and soak up the scenery on a lake cruise. Travel by train for a faster, hassle-free journey, giving you more time to explore the beauty of the lake and its stunning surroundings.

Take this independent day trip to Venice from Rome for a chance to wander the city’s maze of alleyways, visit St. Mark’s Square, and float down the famous canals by water bus. Travel from Rome to Venice by high-speed train and explore the city however you wish. See St. Mark's Basilica, go shopping, or get lost in the city's maze-like alleyways. End the day with a Venetian "happy hour," aperitivo, before your return journey to Rome.

Experience the stunning views from atop the Swiss Alps and enjoy the beauty of Lake Como on this SMALL-GROUP full-day tour from Milan. Stop in a historic and charming village on the lakefront—and later enjoy your meal in Italy through Tirano with a stop for your lunch. Ride the Bernina Train up glaciers and into the Swiss Alps. Hop off to enjoy the summit views and then explore the well-known mountain resort of St Moritz.

Explore Rome’s iconic sights with this full-day, small-group shore excursion from Civitavecchia. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and experience the city like a local as you travel by regional train, taxi, and metro. Enjoy local foods such as suppli and white pizza with mortadella, plus a relaxing aperitivo and sit-down meal in Monti, one of Rome’s trendiest neighborhoods.

Escape Milan's bustle to enjoy Lake Como and Lugano in a small group. Cruise past villas, visit Torno, and enjoy 2 hours free in Como to stroll the historic center and relax by the waterfront. Spend the afternoon in Lugano, Switzerland, savor Swiss chocolate, and optionally swim in Lake Lugano during summer. Discover Como's history and Lugano's scenic beauty on this relaxed day trip.

Go beyond Milan to discover a world of Swiss-Italian mountains and meadows from the seat of the Bernina Red Train. Known as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, complete with ice fields and waterfalls, the Bernina Red Train is a bucket list trip, but the logistics can be tricky. This day trip makes it easy, packaging round-trip coach transport from Milan with a Bernina Red Train ticket from Tirano to glitzy St. Moritz. You even get a stop to visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Tirano.

The UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre are among the most picturesque destinations along Italy’s coast, but the logistics of visiting these fishing villages can be complicated. With this shore excursion, skip the hassle of arranging transportation and instead reach the coast via minivan and then take in the villages either by train or by boat. Enjoy the flexibility of a private experience and spend as much time as you wish exploring each village.

Few places in the world wow you like the lost city of Pompeii. And while it's on just about every traveler’s bucket list, getting there has complications. With this tour, you can avoid the stress of planning your visit from Rome: You'll reach Pompeii via high-speed train and leave all the details to your guide. After a fully guided skip-the-line tour of the archaeological site, enjoy wine tasting and a farm-to-table lunch at a vineyard on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius before returning to Rome.

Ostia Antica is known as ‘the better Pompeii’ for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings, but visiting this vast archaeological site on your own can be overwhelming. On this tour, make exploring easy with round-trip train travel and a walking tour of the ruins with a guide for the entire duration of the excursion. Take in ruins of the Roman amphitheater, Baths of Neptune, taverns, and more with guide commentary to better understand the complex site.

With its five colorful villages and dramatic coastline, the Cinque Terre is one of the most picturesque destinations in Italy. Make the most of your time with this day trip from La Spezia that includes a guide to help you navigate the local trains and stops at three fishing villages to explore at your own pace. Enjoy a limoncello tasting in a local shop before the train ride back to your meeting place.

Explore Pompeii and Herculaneum—two of Italy’s top archaeological sites—in a single day without the hassle of arranging logistics on your own. Travel independently by high-speed train from Rome to Naples, where a driver meets you for the trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum—with a shopping break at Maximall Pompeii, southern Italy's largest shopping center in between.

Take a break from the city crowds and visit the little-known archaeological site of Ostia Antica on this small-group tour from Rome. Meet your guide and group at the train station to hop on the train together (tickets own expense), then head directly inside the site with skip-the-line admission. Gain a deeper understanding of this ancient Roman city and cover the highlights of the massive site in just a few hours.

See two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day without the hassle of navigating unfamiliar public transportation on your own with this full-day guided tour of the Cinque Terre and Pisa. Set off directly from Florence in an air-conditioned van, then visit the villages along the protected Cinque Terre coastline by ferry and train with your tour leader. Stop to admire Pisa’s famed Leaning Tower on the drive back to Florence.

Take a course on mask-making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. See the traditional art of decorating a mask and see what goes into the preparation for the Venetian Carnival. Then create your own masterpiece to create a special memory from your time in Venice.

Discover the delights of Tuscany on a private day trip from Florence. With a knowledgeable private driver, travel through the renowned Chianti wine region to visit the towns of Siena and San Gimignano. See famous landmarks like Siena’s Piazza del Campo, home to the annual Palio horserace, and the medieval hilltop towers of San Gimignano.

Discover what it takes to be an ancient Roman gladiator in Rome. During a hands-on lesson, learn how to fight with authentic weapons of the time while wearing a traditional gladiator tunic and belt (available for rent). Located on the Appian Way, not far from the Colosseum, this class is a unique and interactive way to learn about ancient Roman history and culture.

The Tuscan countryside is a gourmet paradise, but few transportation options keep many travelers limited to Florence. Explore Siena, home to a magnificent cathedral and the famous Palio horse race, and the storybook village of San Gimignano (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) during this small-group tour. A seasonal lunch and Chianti wine tasting at a family-run vineyard are included.

Learn to make pasta by hand with a professional chef-instructor for a truly memorable experience in Rome. Your small-group cooking class takes place in a private location in a traditional Roman neighborhood and covers the basics of creating incredible Italian pasta. Nibble on light appetizers and sip on prosecco as you begin to prepare the pasta meal. Or, opt for the pizza-making class to prepare your own pie.

Lake Como is a popular day trip from Milan, but the logistics of visiting on your own are a hassle. With this small-group day trip, meet your guide at Milan's central station to board the train to Como. Visit Como's city center, see the Gothic "duomo" (cathedral), and then take a scenic cruise to Bellagio. Enjoy free time in Bellagio for lunch and shopping before returning by train to Milan.

Time is of the essence when taking a day trip to Florence from Rome. This tour includes round-trip high-speed train tickets and a tour leader to assist with coordination, while giving you hours of free time to explore Florence independently. Enjoy the city's Renaissance highlights, shop at the outdoor market, and relax over lunch at your own pace before returning to Rome by train.

When your cruise ship docks in Livorno, don't waste time waiting for buses or waiting in line for attractions. Instead, maximize your time on a full-day private shore excursion to the Cinque Terre and Pisa. Your guide takes you to three Cinque Terre villages on the Mediterranean coast, leaving time to explore, swim, and have lunch. Afterward, stop to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a top attraction in Italy. This private tour ensures you'll receive undivided attention, too.

Pompeii and Herculaneum are two of Italy's most extraordinary archaeological sites, but reaching them can be challenging. Remove the stress of coordinating your round trip with a high-speed train from Rome to Naples, and an onward coach connection. Sail past the queues to explore the ruins of Pompeii with your tour guide, and sink your teeth into a real Neapolitan pizza for lunch before a visit to the ancient coastal town of Herculaneum.