Sorrento, Florence & Turin

Itinerary

Day 1 – To Paris

Our travellers take a train from their local station in Basingstoke to connect with a lunchtime
Eurostar service from London St Pancras, arriving at Paris Gare du Nord mid-afternoon. After checking into the hotel there is time to enjoy some sightseeing and dinner in the French capital.

Day 2 – Train to Geneva

Morning departure from Paris’s Gare de Lyon railway station, travelling first class and arriving in Geneva at lunchtime. After checking into the hotel the afternoon and evening is free to explore Switzerland’s second largest city and enjoy its peaceful cosmopolitan, lakeside sophistication.

Days 3 to 9 – Sorrento

First class train travel from Geneva to Milan, before travelling business class on the Milan to Naples rail route, arriving late afternoon. Onward travel to Sorrento is by the Circumvesuviana Train service, which runs every half hour and the journey time is around one hour - tickets for this journey can only be obtained locally. A 7-night stay in Sorrento is an ideal base from which to explore the wonderful Amalfi Coast. For some ancient history spend a day among the ruins of Pompeii, which can be reached by the Circumvesuviana Train as well as Herculaneum, another ancient Roman town destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted. A walk up Mount Vesuvius itself is also recommended to appreciate its natural beauty and the amazing views it delivers.

The best way to see the Amalfi coastline is by road. You can hire a car or arrange a local tour guide or taxi to escort you. Must-see highlights along the coastline is Amalfi itself, walking through charming Positano from the cliff top to the sea front, visiting the island of Capri or travelling inland slightly to beautiful Ravello for some amazing views. The pretty town of Sorrento is a wonderful place to relax - enjoy its many restaurants and stroll to the charming fishing village below the cliffs.

Days 10 to 12 – Florence

Return to Naples on the Circumvesuviana Train for a late morning business class train journey to Florence for a 3-night stay. Florence can be quite overwhelming as there is so much to see. Most of the major sights are within easy walking distance of each other and a good starting point is the 14th Century Cathedral (Duomo) which dominates the skyline. There are also numerous museums, the most famous being the Uffizi, home to the Medici family’s private collection and Florence is also home to Michelangelo’s Renaissance sculptured masterpiece David.

Day 13 – North to Turin

A mid-morning train journey in business class to Turin, arriving at lunchtime. A 1-night stay in Turin allows enough time to enjoy its elegant tree-lined streets, stately baroque buildings and grand squares which contrast nicely with a booming contemporary art and architecture scene. Relax by sitting at an old or art nouveau cafe and soaking up this elegant city.

Day 14 – Homeward Bound

Turin is a good starting point to travel by train to Paris. Enjoy first class seats on an early morning TGV train, arriving at Paris Gare de Lyon at lunchtime. Plenty of time to cross Paris to connect with a mid-afternoon Eurostar departure from Paris Gare Du Nord. Arrive back in London late afternoon for onward travel to your local railway station.