Classic Italy: Rome & Florence

Begin your Italian getaway with complimentary airport lounge access before your flight to Rome. On arrival, you'll be met by a private driver who'll bring you to your exclusive accommodation – the superb Baglioni Hotel Regina. Staying in Art Deco luxury where fine dining vies for your attention against spa indulgences, you'll be sited right among the movie-star cafés and restaurants of the leafy Via Veneto. The next-door Borghese Gardens making for a tranquil retreat from the city's bustle. Here, manicured flower beds lead between welcoming piazzas and world-class art galleries.

While you'll have plenty of time to explore at your own pace, we've included a private walking tour so you can get your bearings. Your expert guide will bring the rich heritage of the Vatican's wonders to life, taking in its artistic treasures and the gilded wonders of St. Peter's Basilica before heading further back in time with the Colosseum. Then, there are the Baroque flourishes of the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona's eclectic collection of distinctive architecture and the Renaissance beauty of Capitoline Hill's Michelangelo-designed palaces. Don't also forget to take some time out with the city's gastronomic indulgences, showcased in everything from humble eateries to Michelin-starred restaurants.

After breakfast, make your way to the station where you’ll board your First Class rail journey to Florence. You’ll arrive with plenty of time to explore this Renaissance gem where evocative narrow streets constantly surprise with stunning basilicas, world-class art galleries and grand medieval piazzas. Don’t miss out on the Galleria degli Uffizi and its Renaissance classics or the city’s cathedral whose intricately detailed pink, white and green marble façade is capped by a giant red-tiled dome. You'll overnight at the Relais Santa Croce – once an 18th century residence, now a refined and elegant hotel with frescoed ceilings and elegant, comfortable rooms.

On your second day in Florence you’ll have the choice of two tours. The first is a guided walk, taking in the skyline views from the Piazzale del Michelangelo, Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia and the 15th-century cathedral, resplendent in a multi-coloured marble façade and a giant brick dome. Then, with front-of-line entry, your second option will bring you to the Renaissance masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery – one of the world's greatest collections of art. A private driver will also take you out to Fiesole in the city’s verdant surrounds. Set on a hilltop, its pretty cathedral, Roman amphitheatre and historic villas boast spectacular views back to Florence.

Today you'll explore the Tuscan countryside with a private day trip. Your driver will bring you through rolling vineyards to reach Siena, a Gothic masterpiece of red brickwork. It’s famous for its giant piazzas, Palio horserace and the 200 years of artistry that went into its spectacular cathedral, dazzling with a great vaulted ceiling gilded with stars. You'll compare its grandeur to that of nearby Monteriggioni and its imposing hilltop walls before stopping at San Gimignano, a medieval town of giant brick towers. In between, you'll have a chance to taste some of the region's award-winning viticulture, sampling the local vernaccia – a deliciously dry white wine.

A last journey with a private driver, through the scenic Tuscan countryside, will see you to Pisa. If there's time, perhaps call into its leaning icon and brilliant white cathedral after wandering through the fading glory of its merchant district. There's also the chance to stop off at Lucca, a Renaissance city whose leafy piazzas are hidden behind imposingly historic walls. You'll then board your flight home.