Signature Italy | Dolce Vita by Rail

Our journey begins on the water, travelling by private water taxi to our Signature Stay, Palazzo San Lorenzo, a restored Venetian palace, just moments from St Mark’s Square and the city’s storied landmarks.

Those arriving early can open a window into Venetian craft: visiting a traditional squero, where master builders shape each gondola by hand; learning Venetian rowing with a champion; joining a private, family-run workshop into the traditional Venetian craft of mask making; or exploring Venice from the water with a gondola ride.

As evening draws in, we gather for our welcome reception and enjoy dinner at Luna Sentada Restaurant, a celebration of traditional Venetian cuisine inspired by Marco Polo’s travels to the East. 

Overnight at Palazzo San Lorenzo

A guided walk reveals the Venice shaped by merchants, travellers and its once-lively social worlds behind the Rialto, bringing the city’s more intimate history into view. A light lunch at Bakarò presents reimagined Venetian dishes.

After, we board a private boat to cross the lagoon, calling first at the vibrant island of Burano, where fishermen’s houses are painted in vivid hues and lace-making endures as a living craft. We continue by boat to San Francesco del Deserto, a monastic island defined by gardens, cloisters, and a centuries-old devotion to quiet.

Signature Experience: Later, we step inside St Mark’s Basilica after closing hours for a privately guided encounter, including privileged access to the Pala d’Oro and the crypt. In the quiet of the evening, the basilica reveals its most sacred spaces in near silence, an intimate immersion in Venice’s spiritual heart.

Second night at Palazzo San Lorenzo

Travel by first-class train to Florence, a smooth journey into the heart of Tuscany. On arrival, walk to the Uffizi for a curated exploration of Italy’s artistic milestones, from Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus to Caravaggio’s Medusa, and da Vinci’s Annunciation.

Lunch at Boccanegra unfolds inside a 14th-century palazzo. Later, you’ll cross the Arno into artisan Florence, pausing at workshops, churches, and neighbourhood squares to see how craftsmanship still shapes the city’s rhythm.

Dinner at Belcanto closes the day with classic Florentine atmosphere accompanied by live piano.

Overnight at Hotel Balestri

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day before a private visit to Florence Cathedral’s Sacristy of the Mass. Joining an expert guide, you’ll explore a worship space normally closed to visitors, revealing a rarely seen side of the cathedral.

Later, at Mercato Centrale, a guided walk leads into a tasting menu of seasonal Tuscan dishes served in a reserved space.

Signature Experience: Join Fernanda Russo, founder of the Italian Perfumery School, for a masterclass in the craft of scent. Within her historic herbalist atelier, you’ll study the architecture of fragrance, handle raw essences, and blend a personalised perfume to take home, a one-of-a-kind creation shaped by your own palate of aromas.

Dinner tonight is at Sabatini, a historic Florentine dining room renowned for its polished service, classical recipes, and quietly elegant atmosphere.

Second night at Hotel Balestri

A first-class train carries us to Rome, where our day begins inside one of the city’s most historic noble residences.

Signature Experience: Step inside Palazzo Colonna for an exclusive tour led by the Museum Director, moving through the Baroque gallery and Princess Isabelle’s preserved apartment. A hands-on pasta class within the palace grounds follows, paired with a gelato-making demonstration.

The afternoon unfolds at your own rhythm, whether browsing Roman ateliers or settling into an aperitivo, before light dinner options in characterful neighbourhood settings.

Overnight at Hotel Kolbe

Today is your Signature Day, where you can select an authentic, curated experience to connect deeply with Rome. You could:

• Cycle the ancient Appian Way by e-bike with a local guide, following Roman ruins, aqueducts, and green spaces.
• Delve into Rome’s artistic and archaeological heritage on a full-day exploration of the key museums and sites, including Terme di Caracalla, Villa Giulia and Palazzo Massimo, with a three-course lunch included.
• Explore Ostiense’s creative side on a full-day walking tour through bold street art and industrial landmarks before visiting Centrale Montemartini, a unique former power-station museum.
• Step into Rome’s golden age of style with a private showroom welcome, curated outfit styling, and a guided walk through the city’s most cinematic streets − a unique blend of fashion, lifestyle, and cultural discovery.

Reunite in the evening for a three-course dinner at our hotel’s elegant restaurant.

Second night at Hotel Kolbe

Travel into the Roman Castles region to Frascati, long known for its villas, winemaking heritage, and gentle hillside setting.

Signature Experience: Our first stop is Azienda Agricola Marchesi, a family-run estate specialising in high-quality extra virgin olive oils. Here, we have a private tasting of the estate wines and olive oils guided by those who cultivate, press and bottle them, before sitting down to a light lunch shaped by the estate’s seasonal produce and long-held traditions.

Return to Rome for an unhurried afternoon before our farewell dinner at Casa Coppelle, where Italian-French cooking and elegant interiors provide a fitting final chapter.

Third night at Hotel Kolbe

After a final breakfast, take a moment to reflect on the journey and enjoy the hotel’s quiet gardens. Those with later flights may linger, perhaps taking time to discover Villa Borghese or revisit a favourite site.

You may choose to extend your Italian story with the help of our Signature Collection travel experts.