Tuscany in Depth

Leave London St Pancras in the late morning aboard a Eurostar service to Brussels Midi. Here, connect onto a train to Cologne. There’s a bar buffet available on both services, or you can enjoy some lunch in Brussels Midi station before your onward journey. Cologne's famous cathedral is just outside the main station as you head out into the city.

This evening, there's time for dinner in Cologne's Old Town area, or a stroll along the River Rhine.

Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and pass the steps of the famous Cathedral again, en route to the station for your onward journey to Innsbruck. As you travel from Munich, the scenery will become more and more undulating and by the time you arrive in the ‘Capital of the Austrian Tyrol', you will be surrounded by mountain peaks.

Enjoy one of Europe's most scenic rail journeys as you travel through Austria's beautiful Tyrol region and cross the Alps into Italy via the famous Brenner Pass. After a straightforward change of trains in Bologna, continue to Florence, arriving in time to enjoy your first evening in Tuscany. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a city of extraordinary art, architecture and history, where grand piazzas, elegant palaces and centuries-old streets provide a wonderful introduction to the region.

Enjoy two days at leisure in Florence. Don’t miss the famous Duomo or a visit to the beautiful Boboli Gardens. You can also see some of the best of Renaissance art here with visits to the Uffizi and the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David.

TMR RECOMMENDS: If you want to see the Uffizi Gallery during your stay in Florence, we recommend that you buy Skip the Line tickets so that you don’t waste any time queuing to get in. You will need at least half a day to see the museum.

Take the short ride on a local Tuscan train (payable locally at the station) from the region’s capital to one of its most iconic cities, Siena.

Once you have settled into your hotel, spend the next couple of days discovering the historic architecture, museums, art and cuisine that make this city famous. You can also head out into the Tuscan countryside from Siena on a wine-tasting tour or a visit to the stunning hilltop town of San Gimignano. Please ask us if you would like to add tours to your booking.

Take a scenic ride on Tuscan trains across to the hilltop town of Lucca, in the western part of Tuscany. Check in here for 2 nights at a 4* hotel located within Lucca’s city walls.

Located on the river Serchio, Lucca is an historic city famous for its almost complete Renaissance era city walls, which you can walk or cycle along for sweeping city views.

This morning, take a regional train to Pisa. If you would like, you can leave your bags in the left luggage lockers at the station here and enjoy a few hours exploring this historic city, one of the major maritime republics of medieval Europe with its world-famous Leaning Tower.

Alternatively, connect directly with the high-speed train to Turin. Turin is a fascinating city which is often overlooked by visitors to Italy. Discover world-class museums, stately piazzas and delicious Piedmont cuisine during your stay. If you have time, we’d recommend an extra night here so that you have more time to explore.

Take a high speed TGV from Turin’s Porta Susa station this morning and travel to Paris where you transfer to the Gare du Nord. Leave Paris on the Eurostar and head back to London. Alternatively, we can arrange a later service for you so that you have some time to look around the French capital.