Travel in style on this luxurious holiday to the beautiful Amalfi Coast via the fascinating cities of Geneva and Florence. Stay for four nights in spectacular Sorrento, overlooking the Mediterranean. Shop for Italian gifts in the elegant boutiques, wander through orange and lemon groves and take a boat trip to the dramatic, prehistoric caves dotting the coastline in one of Europe’s most beautiful regions.
On arrival in Geneva today, make your way to your hotel for an overnight stay. Spend the evening enjoying a tasty meal at a local lakeside restaurant, or take a relaxing boat trip out on the lake and admire the city’s cosmopolitan feel and the stunning backdrop of the Alps and the Jura mountains. (Overnight in Geneva)
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel this morning and then make your way to the train station for your train to Florence. This journey takes you along the spectacular route of the Simplon Pass, following the shores of Lake Leman and across Swiss vineyards, with stunning views of the Alps in the background. Travel further south after crossing the border into Italy with a change in Milan, before arriving in Florence. On arrival, check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Capital of Tuscany and birthplace of the Italian language as it is spoken today, Florence is not only a beautiful city, but also one of the most important in the cultural history of Europe. Get a bird’s eye view from the top of Giotto’s bell tower, spend an afternoon exploring the amazing art collections at the Uffizi or Pitti Palace galleries, or take some time out in the stunning Boboli Gardens. (Overnight in Florence) B
Travel through the Italian countryside from Florence to Naples weaving through the Tuscan countryside, through the Eternal City of Rome and onwards to the capital of Campania, Naples. From Napoli Centrale train station, take the Circumvesuviana train (payable locally) from Naples to Sorrento. Make your way to your hotel for a four-night stay. (Overnight in Sorrento) B
Enjoy your adventures around the Amalfi Coast! Using Sorrento as your gateway to the region, why not take the bus or a boat to the town of Amalfi itself, a confection of peach, lemon and butterscotch houses jostling for position on a steep hillside leading down to picturesque shingle beach dotted with fishing boats. The attractions here are all accessible on foot via winding narrow roads and stairs. Visit the 10th century cathedral and admire the mosaics in the Cloister of Paradise next door. Enjoy a refreshing drink on the beachfront and watch the world go by. Or stroll along the marina where the mega-yachts dock. (Overnight in Sorrento) B
After breakfast, why not take a ferry to the islands in the Bay of Naples. Visit Ischia for its volcanic thermal spas, golden beaches and great food. You can also reach the smaller but more well-known island of Capri. Climb up from the harbor to the old town on a funicular railway or take a boat out to see the famous Blue Grotto. (Overnight in Sorrento) B
After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy your last full day in Sorrento. Maybe enjoy a refreshing drink on the beachfront and watch the world go by. Or stroll along to the Piazza Tasso for lunch in a quiet café and wonderful views over the water. Don’t miss a visit to the Chiesa di San Francesco, a beautiful 14th-century church. (Overnight in Sorrento) B
After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you wish to extend your vacation, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Vacation Experts will be happy to assist you with the details. B
MEAL GUIDE: B – BREAKFAST, BR – BRUNCH, L – LUNCH, AT – AFTERNOON TEA, D -DINNER
A blend of design and warmth, the 4 star Hotel Auteuil offers the perfect mix in the centre of Geneva. Pictures of the greatest movie stars and a unique collection of photographs welcome you to the lobby. Attentive service, the rooms with their contemporary atmosphere, the fitness area and its picture windows are all designed for your well-being. Come to the Auteuil to enjoy the city to the full.
Calistoga (2 nights)
With guest rooms that resemble high-ceilinged urban lofts, this laid-back hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant is “a hang-out for in-the-know locals,” according to Forbes Travel Guide, which awarded it five stars in 2017. (pool, spa)
