Italy rail holidays

The Eternal City is simply a treasure trove of sights and iconic landmarks from the Trevi fountain to the Colosseum. Vatican City, nestles in the heart of Rome where the head-spinning beauty of Michelangelo’s frescos on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are unmissable. The trick is to combine a few famous landmarks with more offbeat exploration, such as the medieval area of Trastevere. When in Rome, anything goes…

It’s easy to lose yourself in Venice, Italy’s famous floating city. Both literally and spiritually, its narrow alleyways, tiny bridges and iconic canals transport you beyond the normal. Expansive St Mark’s Square acts as the focal point of the city with the Doge’s Palace sitting adjacent. Browse the shops and stalls on Rialto Bridge, dine beside the Grand Canal and soak up the atmosphere.

This Tuscan city may be small, but it packs a mighty punch full of charming sights and cultural treasures. Choose your footwear carefully as you prepare to take in the wonders of Florence’s cobbled streets from the domed cathedral to markets selling leather goods and the shop-lined medieval bridge of Ponte Vecchio. Lunch alfresco in Piazza della Signoria then sample the city’s famous gelato.

Bustling Naples is a maze of streets and piazzas lined with striking buildings and monuments. Behind the city looms Mt Vesuvius, which famously erupted in AD79. On the south shore of the Bay of Naples, the mere mention of the cliff-top town of Sorrento conjures up a romantic images of Italy. Stroll the backstreets and delight in traditional Italian cuisine with the scent of fresh lemons and tomatoes.

Dramatic and beautiful, the clifftop towns along the Amalfi Coast add splashes of pastel-hued colour to the sheer cliff face of the southern edge of the Sorrento peninsula. Positano is a must with narrow streets and steep stairways leading you to restaurants, cafés, boutiques and galleries. Take on the rewarding Path of the Gods – a hiking trail taking you into the mountains offering spectacular views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Sitting off the ‘toe’ of mainland Italy’s boot, across the Strait of Messina, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. Famous for its lemons, ancient ruins and smouldering Mt Etna, its cultural heritage blends Arab, Greek and Roman influences. From the precipitous yet charming streets of Taormina’s hilltop town to the timeless beauty of Syracuse and the Cefalu’s sandy beach, there is much to delight and enthral.

Quieter than Florence, Arezzo is a hilltop Tuscan city bursting with history. From Piazza Grande, the beautiful main square to the Roman Amphitheatre and gothic Arezzo Cathedral with its vaulted ceilings uncover a treasure trove of sights. The Basilica of Saint Francis houses one of Italy’s masterpieces – “The Legend of the True Cross” by Piero della Francesca. Round off your day with views across the city from the lofty heights of the Medici Fortress.

The narrow alleyways and striking architecture of this beautiful walled city in the heart of Italy speak to its fascinating and long heritage. Including Roman, Byzantine and Papal influences, Perugia is Umbria’s ancient capital. Famous for its university and chocolate, this is a charming place to while away a couple of days. Visit Piazza IV Novembre, the aqueduct and the 16th century fortress, Rocca Paolina.

One of the world’s oldest cities, Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former European Capital of Culture with movie star credentials – the opening sequence of James Bond’s ‘No Time To Die’ was filmed here. This is a place to explore leisurely over several days. Sassi di Matera, a complex of elaborate cave dwellings carved into the ancient river canyon is the defining feature of the city.