Railways and World War II History in Italy and Switzerland

Embark on a Roman Holiday, stopping in Milano and the Swiss Alps before reaching the ‘Eternal City‘ by high-speed service. Visit fascinating WWII sites in Italy, including the Ghetto and Jewish Museum in Rome, and the beaches of Anzio and the hilltop monastery at Monte Cassino. The beaches of Salerno, the Ancient Greek temple city of Paestum and the world-famous Amalfi Coast are first time additions to the itinerary.

• Explore Rome, Milan and Salerno at your leisure.
• A wonderful visit to Lugano, Switzerland, including funicular rides and a cruise on a historic yacht.
• Stay at quality hotels with free time to see the historic and cultural attractions.
• First Class travel on Swiss EuroCity and Italian “Frecciarossa” high speed services. Plus public transport rover for flexible travel on local trams, metros and buses in Milan and Rome.
• Privately chartered scenic cruises on Lake Lugano and the River Tiber.
  

Friday 28th March
Arrive in Milano
Take a direct flight from London to Milano, Italy’s largest city. Transfer to your hotel for check in and a light lunch, before spending the rest of the day at leisure. You‘ll be given a complimentary public transport ticket, allowing you to explore the city aboard Ventotto heritage trams. You‘ll be able to see the Duomo (Cathedral), turreted Castello (Castle) and the glass-domed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from 1867. (L)

Saturday 29th March
Tramways, Museums and leisure in Milano
After breakfast, visit Italy’s National Museum of Science and Technology, an impressive collection of locomotives, machines, submarines and more, housed in a stylish palazzo. After the visit, you have more free time in Milano, enjoying all this stylish city has to offer! (B)

Sunday 30th March
A visit to the Swiss Alps with a scenic cruise on Lake Lugano
You make an enchanting side-step to nearby Switzerland‘s Ticino region. Take a EuroCity train to Lugano, Switzerland, then travel on the scenic funicular railway from the station to the town centre to check-in to your hotel in the old town. You‘ll enjoy a lunch cruise on the beautiful Lake Lugano aboard the luxurious motor yacht “Milano”, including complimentary drinks and refreshments. Afterwards, there is time for sightseeing in the beautiful city of Lugano, before returning to Milano Centrale. (B L)

Monday 31st March
A day in Venice
Today you make an exciting day-trip to Venice. Travelling first class aboard the sleek “Frecciarossa” (Red Arrow) train, you arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia station, where you‘ll be given a public transport ticket for use on all of the iconic ‘Vaporetto’ ferries, the tramway over the causeway to Venezia Mestre, or the people-mover at the cruise terminal. You‘ll have plenty of time to visit famed places like the Rialto, Piazza San Marco, or the Lido. Early evening, travel back to Milano by high-speed train. (B)

Tuesday 1st April
Milano to Roma by high speed rail, Roma Ghetto visit and River Tiber cruise
This morning, take the ‘Frecciarossa’ high-speed service from Milano Centrale to Roma Termini and check into your hotel around midday. You‘ll be given a week-long public transport rover, providing access to Roma’s Metro and tramway. In the afternoon, visit Rome’s old Jewish Ghetto, including admission to the museum and Great Synagogue. You’ll learn more about the Ghetto and its history during World War II, and the liberation of Rome by the Allies in June 1944. Finally, you embark on a private sunset cruise on the River Tiber, including drinks and refreshments. (B L)

Wednesday 2nd April
WWII sites in and around Rome
After breakfast, you walk to the landmark Piazza Venezia, past the Roman Colosseum and Forum. Here you see the famed balcony on which the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini gave speeches. Then transfer to the Commonwealth War Cemetery, where Allied soldiers were buried following the liberation of Rome. Carry on to the Ardeatine Caves and EUR exhibition grounds, built for the planned 1942 Universal Exhibition, which never happened due to the war. At the EUR grounds, you‘ll see some of the most monumental architecture from Mussolini’s reign. End the day at the Museum of the Liberation of Rome, located in former Gestapo headquarters. (B)

Thursday 3rd April
Visit to the famed Monte Cassino monastery and battle site
Visit another iconic location from WWII history. A defensive strongpoint along the Axis´ Gustav Line, Monte Cassino was the site of a fierce battle of attrition from January to June 1944. The Allied forces overcame this barrier, clearing the way for the Liberation of Rome. Take an FS service train to Cassino before transferring by coach to the hilltop Benedictine Abbey, where you can visit the famous crypt, basilica and war memorial and museum. Take lunch in the main piazza before returning to Rome. (B L)

Friday 4th April
The beaches of Anzio
This morning you travel to the seaside port of Anzio, famous for the Allied landings that took place there in early 1944. Delight in this typically Italianate town, with its war monuments and the Anzio Beachhead Museum.
Following lunch at a typical trattoria, return to Rome by train from Nettuno. (B L)

Saturday 5th April
On to Salerno
Move further south on the Italian peninsula, transferring by high-speed train from Roma to the seaside city of Salerno, where you’ll spend the next three nights. Salerno was the site of ‘Operation Avalanche’, the September 1943 Allied landings. After checking into your hotel, you’ll visit some of the historic landing sites with your expert local guide. (B L)

Sunday 6th April
Italian National Railway Museum in Pietrarsa
Italian railway heritage takes centre stage today as you travel by train to Napoli Centrale, where there’s a convenient local service directly to the gates of The National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa, one of the most spectacular railway museums in the world. Visit the great engine pavilion and see the steam icons of Italian railway history. After an immersive experience and refreshments on-site, walk around the shoreline, with its stunning views of the Mediterranean and Mount Vesuvius. In the late afternoon, return by train via Napoli Centrale to Salerno (B L)

Monday 7th April
Paestum UNESCO World Heritage site
The Salerno region offers much more than just WWII history, it is also a hotspot for Ancient Greek culture, including the remains of the legendary city of Paestum, dating from around 600 BC. See the major sites first-hand and immerse yourself in the beautiful views. In the evening, dinner is served at the hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 8th April
History and natural beauty along the Amalfi Coast
Visit the world-famous Amalfi coast between Salerno and Naples, including Sorento. You‘ll see both the awe-inspiring coastal scenery and significant World War II sites, including the landing locations of the U.S. Rangers. In the evening you return to Salerno, where your farewell dinner is served in the hotel restuarant. (B D)

Wednesday 9th April
Return flight to London

Direct flight back to London from Naples (B)