Florence, Rome and Naples

After arriving in Florence and checking in to your centrally located hotel, we recommend getting to grips with the city by exploring some of the atmospheric streets before stopping off at a local restaurant for an evening meal.

Spend the next couple of days exploring Florence. Pre-book a morning tour of the fascinating Accademia Gallery home to some of Michelangelo's most famous sculptures, the Prisoners, the St. Matthew and of course the renowned David, or opt for a guided tour around the Uffizi Gallery – boasting an even more impressive array of master artworks. Spend an afternoon admiring the views from Piazzale Michelangelo where mesmerising panoramas of Florence are easily enjoyed.

Take the train from Florence to Rome which is a short 1hr 30 minutes. When you’ve arrived at your chosen hotel and unpacked your bags, spend the afternoon finding your bearings in Italy’s venerable capital. Central Rome is quite compact, and we recommend taking a walk as the best way to get to grips with the city.

Over the next couple of days try and see as many sights as your can. The remnants of classical Rome are an integral part of the modern city, so you’ll often turn a street corner and find yourself staring at the Colosseum or the Pantheon. The Palatine Hill offers fantastic views over the Forum and the Circus Maximus, where the ancient Romans came to meet, work and play.

Across the River Tiber stands the Vatican City. Even if you’re not particularly religious, the historic home of the Pope is worth seeing for its magnificent architecture and some spellbinding Renaissance artworks. Take a tour of the Sistine Chapel with its famous painted ceiling by Michelangelo. Make sure to stop at St Peter’s Basilica, the world’s biggest church, where those with a head for heights can climb up into the vast dome and enjoy panoramic views across Rome from the roof.

Just over an hours train journey from Rome you will arrive in Naples. Make your way to your chosen hotel and settle in before exploring the last Italian city on this trip.

On your first full day in Naples, don’t waste a minute before tasting your first slice of Neapolitan pizza – since you’re in its place of origin, we recommend a simple margherita. 

Start early to make the most of your first full day in Naples, and wander the beautiful piazzas, cobbled streets and grand palazzos of the historic centre. Culture enthusiasts will love visiting the famous San Carlo Opera House and Archaeological Museum; while you’re in the area, why not book a half-day tour of Pompeii? For lunch, opt for pizza marinara (a Naples speciality with tomato sauce and garlic), or try some of the city’s fresh seafood with a local wine – Fiani di Avellino is a popular white.

Take a private transfer back to Naples airport for your return flight back to the UK.