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100 Day 1. Arrive Venice Open squares, dreamy canals and broad boulevards of Renaissance architecture each add to Venice's beauty. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. Two Nights: Venice, Hotel Sant'Elena. D Day 2. Venice With its unique cityscape and rich heritage as head of the Byzantine Empire, Venice has enchanted visitors for centuries. Today, you'll enjoy a guided tour, admiring landmarks such as St Mark's Basilica and the dazzling Doge's Palace. The afternoon is free for you to explore. Perhaps you might like to take a gondola ride or a tour of La Fenice Theatre. This opera house, with its ornate stuccoes and furnishings, is a joy to discover. B Day 3. Venice, Florence Leaving Venice, step aboard your first class train to Florence. Here you will embark on a guided tour of this Renaissance city, including the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo with its red-tiled dome. Afterwards, why not explore further and take a stroll through the alluring Boboli Gardens? Or wander down to the Arno to watch row boats glide peacefully over the water? Later, savour a meal of Tuscan specialties at a local restaurant. Three Nights: Florence, Hotel de la Ville. BD Day 4. Siena This morning you'll travel to the quintessentially Tuscan city of Siena. Its well-preserved centre is interlinked by a web of narrow streets that lead to the Campo, a grand shell-shaped piazza. Take a guided tour of this charismatic city, and visit sights that include the Siena cathedral built from strips of black and white marble. Afterwards, visit an agriturismo (an Italian farmhouse) for an authentic Tuscan lunch. BL Day 5. Pisa, Lucca Today, board the train for your Tuscan rail excursion to Pisa and Lucca. On arrival in Pisa a guided tour takes you to the Field of Miracles. See the Romanesque Duomo and the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Europe's most iconic buildings. In the afternoon, travel to Lucca – a delightful city that has escaped the tourist crowds. Explore the walled city's medieval core and ramparts, and perhaps visit the Guinigi Tower, known for the majestic oak tree growing from its top. Return to Florence and enjoy this evening at leisure. B Day 6. Florence, Rome Today, set your sights towards the Eternal City and travel by rail to Rome, Italy's attractive capital. This afternoon, a guided tour by coach and foot takes you past many of the landmarks that have shaped this mesmerising city over thousands of years. You'll pass the Colosseum, and see the Roman Forum, which played a vital role in Roman public life. Additionally, throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, a wonderful baroque sculpture set in a tiny square. Three Nights: Rome, Romanico Palace BD TOP TO TOE OF ITALY Venice to Sicily Venice n Florence n Siena n Pisa Lucca n Rome n Sorrento n Amalfi Coast Pompeii n Taormina n Mount Etna YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES ✓ 14 nights in premium accommodation ✓ Services of a professional Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and expert local guides ✓ 23 meals – 14 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 8 dinners (D) ✓ First and Standard Class rail travel ✓ Airport transfers and tipping INSIDER EXPERIENCES Savour a meal of Tuscan specialties in Florence Visit an Italian farmhouse in Sienna and enjoy lunch Take a rail excursion through Tuscany to Pisa and Lucca Visit a lemon orchard and drink limoncello in Sorrento Take the train by ferry to the alluring island of Sicily Ride the Circumetnea Train around Mt Etna volcano 15 Days