Verona, Venice & Florence - Italian Journeys by Train

Fly to Verona, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your four-star hotel not far from Verona station. Settle in to your room, perhaps head to the hotel bar for a drink and to plan your first trip out into this glorious city. Why not head to the Piazza Bra where you'll find a host of open-air restaurants and trattorias ready to offer you a wonderful evening meal.

Start your day with a leisurely breakfast, then head out into Verona for a guided walking tour. Discover ancient streets lined with pink marble buildings and the mysterious maze of brooding alleyways and hidden gardens that were the historic backdrop for Shaespeare's tragic tale of "Juliet and her Romeo". See the best preserved Roman amphitheatre in Italy (world famous for its summertime opera festival) and join the colourful bustle of daily life at the daily market on Piazza delle Erbe.

After your tour you'll be free to enjoy a long lunch, visit one of the city’s fine museums and churches, take a stroll on the bank of the River Adige or wander the elegant pathways through the Giardini Giusti, north of the river. Music lovers will find concerts and recitals taking place almost every night - head to the tourist office to find out what's on and when - and wherever you go you'll find wine bars where you can sample a glass or two of locally produced wine.

This morning, join your tour manager for the short walk to the station and the hour-long train journey across the Veneto countryside to Venice. Here you'll be met by a local guide who will take you on a fascinating walking tour of this breathtakingly beautiful city.

Spread across 100 or so islands linked by innumerable bridges and separated by canals where gondolas and water-taxis ply their trades, Venice is a city of history, elegance and mystery; a labyrinth of narrow streets awaiting exploration. Follow the Grand Canal past the Accademia museum and the Rialto Bridge. Step onto St Mark’s Square to see its world-famous cathedral, clock tower and Doge’s Palace, then head behind the Palace to see the Bridge of Sighs, which legends says was where condemned men had their last view of the beauty of Venice en route to the gallows.

After time to explore we'll return to the station and board the train back to Verona where dinner will be served at your hotel.

Spend a day in Verona, or join today’s optional excursion and travel north into the heart of the rolling Valpolicella wine-growing region. Here you'll visit the beautiful village of Fumane and the Costa degli Ulivi wine estate. Learn about the production of high-quality wines and olive oil, and sample three celebrated Valpolicello wines – Classico, Ripasso and Amarone – over a delicious three-course lunch of regional specialities. You'll have the time to buy some wine, and some estate-produced jams, marmalade and honey to take home before we head back to Verona.

Another memorable day begins with the short walk to Verona rail station as we head south, across Emilia-Romagna via Bologna, into Tuscany. After a two-hour train journey we'll arrive in Florence, for many Italy’s most beautiful city.

On your included guided walking tour, here, you'll see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the splendour of Santa Croce and the historic Ponte Vecchio. Florence is the city of the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s fabled statue of David, and the Uffizi, home to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, but there are also countless shops, designer outlets, trattorias and cafés to explore before you board the fast train for your journey back to Verona.

Tonight you'll enjoy a second included dinner in the hotel’s elegant restaurant.

You're free to do as little or as much as you like today, soaking up the charms of Verona as you see fit.

Say a fond goodbye to your hosts and hotel, today, as you transfer to the airport to catch your flight back to the UK.