London to Italy by train: Milan, Verona and Venice

Day 1 - London - Paris - Milan

The adventure begins from London St Pancras to Paris on board the cross-channel Eurostar train (c. 3 hours 26 minutes). On arrival at Paris Gare du Nord, self-transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon using the local metro or by taxi. Note: Earlier departures from London St Pancras would allow time for lunch in the French capital - the Train Bleu Restaurant at Gare de Lyon (Hall 1) is a traveller’s institution and recommended by the Sunvil team. Taxi transfers between the two stations and overnight stays in Paris can be arranged on request.

Continue your journey to Milan Porta Garibaldi Station (c. 7-8 hours). The route will pass through some scenic landscapes from the mountainous Alpine foothills to rural countryside and plains. On arrival in Milan, self-transfer to your hotel. De La Ville Hotel is well located in the heart of the city near to the celebrated Duomo square. It has a refined, grand atmosphere, reminiscent of years gone-by and boasts a small rooftop terrace with plunge pool and a varied and delicious buffet breakfast.

Overnight at De La Ville Hotel, Milan.

Paris, France

Day 2 - Milan

Time to explore the city that is bursting with history and beautiful architecture. Make sure you wear comfortable footwear today as this is an easy city to walk, or cycle, as it is quite flat and compact. There are also trams to get about which is a novel way to travel and helps your feet at the end of the day. Indeed, the city is famous for its fashion weeks and many designer boutiques but it has so much more to offer including an incredible gothic cathedral, fascinating museums, historic palaces, a 15th century castle, trendy art scene and a lively nightlife. Artists Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, the composer Verdi, the great tenor Enrico Caruso, the famous conductor Toscanini and designer Giorgio Armani all lived and worked here; and even Napoleon was crowned inside the Duomo. Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy runs deep in the city with his fresco of the ‘The Last Supper’ housed in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie as well as being responsible for the city’s criss-crossing network of canals ‘Navigli’ which, legend has it, he helped to renovate and which has since developed into a great place to dine in the evening with many bars and restaurants along the waterfront. You can window shop in the famed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II where you will find all the top designer names; enjoy some retail therapy, at more modest prices, at the designer outlet shops – sales are best in January and June; enjoy an evening aperitivo - considered an institution in Milan; dine on one of two restaurants housed in historic trams that offer a five-course menu as you tour around the city; or take a leisurely walk through Parco Sempione – the city’s largest public park which also holds an annual Christmas Market. The choice is yours.

Overnight at De La Ville Hotel, Milan.

Milan

Day 3 - Milan

Explore the outer areas of Milan by train as the city is well connected by rail to many amazing cities and lakes in Northern Italy. Visit the vibrant city of Turin (c.1 hour), the capital of Piedmont, with its baroque architecture and turn-of-the-century cafes; take the train to Como (c.36 minutes) and hop on a boat to take you to the charming town of Bellagio located at the crux of Lake Como’s two legs; and, just east of Milan, explore the beautiful, small city of Bergamo (c.1 hour) - a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the delicious Stracciatella flavoured ice cream – not to be missed.

Overnight at De La Ville Hotel, Milan.

Turin

Day 4 - Verona

After breakfast, self-transfer to the train station for your train to Verona (c.1 hour 50 minutes) - train tickets included. On arrival, self-transfer to the Giulietta e Romeo Hotel. This modern hotel is set in the heart of Verona, 30 metres from the fabulous Arena, the venue for many concerts and operas (Jun-Sept) and only a few steps from shops and restaurants in this impressive walled city.

Take the afternoon to explore this intriguing medieval city on foot. Primarily famed for being the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this city has much more to offer including less crowds than Venice. Located along the banks of the Adige River, there is the possibility of taking a rafting trip down river under a dozen bridges for a unique view of the city, or take the funicular (c.2 Euros) up to Piazzale Castel San Pietro which affords great views from above. The historic centre has wide piazzas, churches galore, archaeological ruins, one of the best-preserved Roman Arenas found anywhere in Europe and where outdoor operas take place each summer – ticket prices on request. You can people watch in Piazza delle Erbe whilst browsing the market stalls; cross over Ponte Pietra, one of Verona’s prettiest bridges; admire the frescoes in Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore or St Anastasia; climb (by lift) to the top of the Torre dei Lamberti for some stunning vistas over the city; and delight in the local cuisine and wines that the region has to offer.

Overnight at Giulietta e Romeo Hotel, Verona.

Verona

Day 5 - Verona

Why not take a day trip to the wonderful art city of Mantua (c.45 minutes by train - train tickets bookable locally). This often-overlooked Renaissance gem is bordered by water, where the Mincio broadens into three lakes – a mini-Florence, rich with art, intrigue and history. Mantua was ruled over by the powerful Gonzaga family for more than 300 years, from the 14th century, commissioning the finest Renaissance craftsmen they could afford. It is a 10-minute walk from the train station to the centre of the city with its cobbled piazzas, lined with arcades. Visit the Palazzo Ducale - a mini-city of more than 500 rooms and a dozen courtyards. Today the extravagantly decorated rooms are largely empty but highlights include glorious frescoes by Andrea Mantegna, 16th-century Flemish tapestries and a rose garden. In the Duomo lies an elegant interior designed by Giulio Romano, a student of Raphael. But the most impressive frescoes have to be those found in Palazzo Te, painted again by Giulio Romano, that include the masterpiece Room of the Giants ‘Camera dei Giganti’ and the romantic ‘Camera di Amore e Psiche’. Before heading back to Verona take a walk along the lakeside paths to admire the surrounding countryside where the waters stretch out to the horizon. Or take a boat ride through the lagoons of the Mincio.

Overnight at Giulietta e Romeo Hotel, Verona.

Mantua

Day 6 & 7 - Venice

Self-transfer to the train station for your train to Venice (c.1 hour 30 minutes) - train tickets included. On arrival, self-transfer to your hotel. The Riva del Vin Boutique Hotel is a modern family-run hotel centrally located in the heart of Venice, in the district of San Polo a few steps from the Rialto Bridge.

The romantic city of Venice is well worth the visit despite the overcrowding. There are many alleyways and piazzas off the beaten track where you can leave the crowds behind, not to mention the islands in the lagoon that can be easily reached by boat. Visit the glass blowing workshops on Murano and admire the coloured glass ornaments from light fittings and vases to fashionable jewellery; head for the picturesque island of Burano with its colourful houses and excellent seafood eateries; Torcello has the fabulous Venetian-Byzantine mosaics in the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta and a view of Burano from its bell tower; or relax on the sandy beaches of the Lido di Venezia, an 11km long barrier island that hosts the Venice film festival in August-September.

2-nights at Riva del Vin Boutique Hotel, Venice.

Venice

Day 8 - Day of departure

Self-transfer to Venice airport for your return flight home.