• Enjoy a week in Venice and Northern Italy when the temperatures are not so hot, the autumn colours are at their peak and the tourist numbers are significantly reduced.
• With just one base for the entire holiday, conveniently located near the Venezia Mestre railway station, one of the major railway junctions in Northern Italy, you are only a few minutes from the world-famous Venetian Lagoon.
• Experience magical Venice by day and night with the freedom and flexibility of a 7-Day public transport rover that covers all iconic Vaporetto boats, plus the local tramway, monorail and other ferries.
• Take advantage of your included Interrail ticket for flexible travel on the attractive Italian railway network for 6 different days and go sightseeing or ‘track-bashing’ wherever you like. Visit historic cities like Verona, Ferrara or Udine, or explore the nearby Dolomites and Alpine railway lines.
• With organized visits to Padua and Trieste also included, this relaxed holiday represents fantastic value for money, letting you discover the diverse attractions of north-eastern Italy at your own pace.

Thursday 5th November
Arrive in Venice and at leisure along the canals
After a direct morning flight from London Gatwick to Venice, you have a short onward transfer from Marco Polo airport to your comfortable centrally located hotel, close to the Venezia Mestre railway station. This is one of the major junction stations in Northern Italy and it’s just 5 mins from here by frequent, loco-hauled service train to the Venezia Santa Lucia station on the lagoon. At Mestre station, you can also access Venice’s two separate tram lines. After checking into your hotel and having a welcome Italian lunch, you take the Trenitalia train across the causeway to the lagoon. Stepping out of the station you can then explore Venice on foot or by the iconic and fun Vaporetto ferry boat. You’ll also be issued with a 7-day public transport pass valid on all Vaporetto services, plus the local tramway, monorail and other ferries and buses. You are then free to explore such famous landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and San Marco individually, to truly experience the vibe and ambiance of this globally unique destination. (L)

Friday 6th November
At leisure in Venice and first day of Interrail validity
One afternoon in Venice is hardly enough and today you’ll have more time and opportunity to continue your exploration of Venice and all its magnificent attractions. Additionally, you might use this time to ‘bash’ all of the local Vaporetto lines and travel over the entire tramway network. Today is also the first day of validity for your Interrail Pass, allowing you to venture further afield for cultural sightseeing or more railway-based discovery. (B)

Saturday 7th November
Tramways and culture in Padua
It only takes 14 mins by Intercity train from Mestre to the beautiful and world-famous city of Padua (Padova in Italian) and this gorgeous city is your destination this morning. You’ll first get to see the city from the vantage point of its single tramway line, before alighting in the historic city centre with its arcaded streets, grand squares and impressive palaces and churches. Padova is everything you would expect from an antique Italian city, replete with Roman remains and glorious basilicas. After a welcome group lunch in the city, you are free to spend the afternoon in Padua or venture further afield with your Interrail ticket. There are several attractive coastal lines worth investigating, and the cities of Ferrara or Vicenza are also in striking range. (B L)

Sunday 8th November
Along the Adriatic Coast to Trieste
This morning you take a loco-hauled Trenitalia service along one of Italy’s prettiest main line routes from Mestre via Monfalcone to Trieste, the easternmost city in the country. You will have breath-taking views of the Adriatic Sea en route and when you arrive at the elegant Trieste Centrale station, it’s just a short walk to the beautiful landmarks of this smart port city. Feel the old Austro-Hungarian charm of this pocket-sized, world class destination. After lunch near the main piazza, you visit the re-opened and truly impressive Campo Marzo railway station, now a splendid museum and formerly the terminus of the former Südbahn route from Vienna. Should Trieste’s iconic funicular tramway to Villa Opicina also have re-opened as scheduled, you’ll enjoy a trip on this wonderful 5 km long tram line, that only uses original heritage vehicles dating from the 1930s. After such a good day out, you have a fast and speedy return in the late afternoon on a ‘Freccia’ high speed service, allowing you to experience first-hand Italy’s ‘Ferrari on steel wheels’. (B L)

Monday 9th November to Wednesday 11th November
Individual discovery of Northern Italy with your Interail Pass
For the next 3 days you are free to use your Interrail Pass to see Italy at your own pace and go to those places or on those railway lines that interest you most. From a cultural point of view, amazing cities like Verona, Bologna or even Milano are all within easy reach, as a daytrip from Mestre. You might also be tempted to head north to the Dolomites, where autumn colours are at their peak at this time of the year and places like Südtirol are particularly inviting. There are also iconic mountain branch lines to Edolo or Calalzo, which are superbly enjoyable journeys. The choice is yours and your tour manager will be happy to advise you about options and timetable connections. Go ‘track bashing’ or immerse yourself in all the amazing culture and architecture that only Italy can offer. Naturally, spending more time to simply relax in Venice and spend quality time on the lagoon is also an option. A farewell dinner is served at the hotel on your final evening. (B D)

Thursday 12th November
Return to London
You say ‘Ciao’ to Italy as you return to the UK with a direct flight to London Gatwick. (B)

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