Italy By Rail: Cruise Extension

Day 1: An Afternoon in the World's Greatest Open-Air Wardrobe

An afternoon in Rome is never simply a stroll, it’s an education in the art of Italian style. In the company of a fashion expert, move through streets lined with the ateliers and boutiques of the country's most celebrated names: Ferragamo, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Versace and beyond, each one a chapter in the story of how Italy came to define elegance for the world. Pause, too, at the windows of legendary jewellery houses, Bulgari, Buccellati, Damiani, where craftsmanship and artistry have been refined across generations. It is less a shopping tour than a curated immersion into the icons and traditions that continue to shape the way the world dresses.

Day 2: A Morning at Leisure and an Evening Aperitivo in Trastevere

The morning is entirely your own, Rome rewards those who wander without agenda. As the day softens towards evening, make your way to the characterful streets of Trastevere, where the enduring Italian ritual of aperitivo comes to life in the most convivial of settings. Guided by a local expert, a curated selection of classic drinks, among them the iconic Martini and the ever-popular Spritz, arrives alongside Roman finger foods that speak of neighbourhood tradition and easy pleasure. More than a tasting, it is a moment of pause at the golden hour, a window into the rhythms of local life where heritage and taste converge at twilight.

Day 3: A Rooftop Mixology Class Above the City

Bid farewell to Rome as you board your Business Class Frecciarossa high-speed train and glide northwards through the Italian countryside towards Florence. Once settled, the afternoon takes an unexpectedly spirited turn with a rooftop mixology class set against an extraordinary panorama of the city below. Under the guidance of a skilled bartender, you will learn to prepare three of Italy's most beloved cocktails, the Aperol Spritz, the Americano and the Negroni, before raising a glass of your own creation to the Florentine skyline. A diploma, a recipe book and the tools of the trade are yours to take home, though the memory of that particular view may prove the most lasting souvenir of all. The rest of the day unfolds entirely at your own pace.

Day 4: An Exclusive Journey Through Italy's Fashion Capital

Once again, the Frecciarossa carries you onwards, this time to Milan, a city that wears its position at the heart of global fashion with effortless authority. An afternoon in the company of a personal fashion expert becomes an experience shaped entirely around your own curiosity and taste. Whether you are drawn to the polished grandeur of the Quadrilatero della Moda, where the great luxury houses hold court, or to the artisanal spirit of Brera, with its distinctive boutiques and independent makers, your guide will craft an itinerary that feels genuinely your own. Along the way, rare access to historic ateliers devoted to handmade, bespoke craftsmanship offers an intimate glimpse into the Italian artistry that has long placed this city at the very centre of the fashion world.

Day 5: A Private Boat Journey Across Italy's Most Romantic Lake

Some days are best surrendered to beauty without agenda. A private wooden motorboat in the Venetian tradition carries you out onto the shimmering waters of Lake Como, where colourful lakeside villages and graceful villas drift past in elegant succession, framed by palms, pines and the dramatic rise of the mountains above. The lake shifts in colour with every change of light, its surface reflecting a landscape that has captivated artists, writers and travellers for centuries. Lunch follows at a panoramic setting of your choosing before a leisurely return to Milan, the day's stillness carried gently with you.