My Italian Trilogy by Rail
Rome, Florence & Venice With L’Orologio Hotels
Exploring Italy by rail is one of my favourite ways to travel: no airport stress, just relaxed journeys between some of the most beautiful cities in the world. On my recent trip I created an “Italian Trilogy” of Rome, Florence and Venice, staying in three characterful L’Orologio hotels and linking them all by train, private transfers and unforgettable experiences. In this blog I am sharing a behind‑the‑scenes look at my 24 hours in each city, from rooftop views in Rome to Renaissance art in Florence and palazzo opera in Venice, along with ideas to inspire your own tailor‑made Italian adventure.
There is something wonderfully romantic about exploring Italy by train. No airport queues, no long drives, just stepping on board, settling into your seat and watching the countryside roll by as you glide from one city to the next.
On my recent trip, I created my own “Italian Trilogy” by rail: Rome, Florence and Venice. Along the way, I stayed at three sister properties: Hotel L’Orologio Roma, L’Orologio Firenze and L’Orologio Venezia. Each one has its own personality, but all share a stylish design and a clever theme inspired by iconic watch brands.
Here is a glimpse into how it felt and why this kind of itinerary works so beautifully.
Rome: Timepieces, Rooftops & Hidden Corners
I started my journey in Rome, with just one night to play with, and stayed at Hotel L’Orologio Roma ⏱️🇮🇹
The hotel celebrates the history of some incredible watch brands, inspired by the passion of owner Mr Fratini, who has one of the largest watch collections in the world. There is even a beautiful book curated by Christie’s featuring some of the timepieces from his collection, which adds a real sense of character and story to the hotel.
The location is ideal if you want to explore on foot: around 30 minutes’ walk to the Vatican and about 20 minutes to the Colosseum. After a busy travel day, the beds were incredibly comfy, which was very welcome.
Rooftop Views & Roman Nights
In the evening we headed up to the rooftop bar for dinner and drinks. The views are fantastic, looking out over the Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica. It is one of those “this is why I travel” moments: warm air, domes on the horizon and that unmistakeable Roman buzz all around.
Galleria Borghese: Sculptures That Look Soft
Friday was spent at the Galleria Borghese, which was absolutely incredible. The sculptures are so detailed it is hard to believe they are carved from stone. Some of them even look soft. I genuinely do not understand how someone can create that from marble. I must have said “amazing” about fifty times as we wandered through the galleries.
Back Streets & The First Ever Peroni Bar
On Saturday morning, before catching the train to Florence, I joined a walking tour through the back streets of Rome. It was wonderful to escape the main tourist areas and see a quieter side of the city: small streets, hidden corners and everyday Roman life going on around us.
We even discovered the first ever Peroni bar, a fun little find and the perfect place for a refreshment stop.
After a truly special 24 hours in Rome, it was time to move on to the next chapter.
Florence: Renaissance Beauty On Your Doorstep
From Rome, the train to Florence is smooth and straightforward. In less than two hours you are stepping into the heart of Tuscany.
Here, I stayed at L’Orologio Firenze, perfectly placed by the main square. Being so central meant that the moment we stepped outside, we were surrounded by Florence’s Renaissance beauty: elegant piazzas, historic buildings and that warm Tuscan light.
The hotel has the same watch-inspired theme, which ties the trilogy together nicely, but with its own Florentine personality and charm.
A Day With The Masters
We headed to the Uffizi Gallery, home to some of the most important artworks of the Italian Renaissance. Seeing these masterpieces in person, in such a historic setting, is an experience that really stays with you.
Exploring Florence On Foot
On the Sunday, we enjoyed a 2‑hour walking tour around Florence. It was a wonderful way to get our bearings and understand more of the city’s history and stories.
We wandered past:
- The Duomo with its iconic dome
- Beautiful piazzas filled with local life
- Narrow streets lined with artisan workshops, boutiques and cafés
- Views over the Arno that make you want to reach for your camera every few steps
Having a guide made it so much richer: we were not just admiring the buildings, we were hearing about the powerful families, artists and architects who shaped Florence.
Dinner In A Local Trattoria
In the evening, we rounded off our Florentine chapter with a beautiful meal in a local trattoria. Think rustic dishes, regional wines and a warm, relaxed atmosphere. It was the perfect end to a day of art, history and wandering.
The next morning, it was time to continue north: a scenic 2‑hour train ride to Venice.
Venice: Trains, Canals & Opera In A Palazzo
Arriving into Venice by rail might be my favourite way to enter any city. After a relaxed journey from Florence, you pull into Santa Lucia station, walk out of the doors and immediately find yourself right on the Grand Canal.
There is no complicated transfer, no busy roads to cross, just Venice unfolding in front of you.
From the station we headed straight down to the water to meet our private water taxi. It is such a special way to arrive: your luggage is handled for you, you glide along the canal and the palazzi rise up on either side. It feels like stepping straight into a film.
In Venice we stayed at L’Orologio Venezia, completing the trio. Again, the hotel carries the timepiece theme, with stylish interiors and a warm, boutique feel that fits the city perfectly.
Pizza, Wanders & A Very Venetian Evening
After checking in and freshening up, we headed out for a relaxed pizza dinner in a local trattoria, then took a little time to wander and appreciate how beautiful the city and our hotel surroundings are in the evening light.
That night, we had something very special planned: an alternative opera in a historic palazzo. Rather than a traditional opera house, the performance unfolded in different rooms, with the singers moving around the space. It was intimate, fun and felt wonderfully different from a more formal opera setting, while still giving us that rich, emotional musical experience.
The Doge’s Palace With A Private Guide
The next morning we met our private guide for a 2‑hour tour of the Doge’s Palace and the St Mark’s area.
The interiors of the palace are absolutely stunning: vast halls, intricately painted ceilings and artwork everywhere you look. With a guide, it becomes so much more than just “beautiful rooms”. We learned about Venice’s political history, its doges and its life as a maritime republic, which really brought the city’s story to life.
A Peek At Another Venetian Gem
I also had the chance to do a site inspection at a nearby luxury hotel right by the Grand Canal, which offers a very different atmosphere and would work wonderfully for smaller weddings or intimate celebrations. It is always important for me to see properties first-hand so I know exactly what to recommend to my clients.
A Smooth Farewell: Water Taxi To The Airport
To finish our Venetian chapter, we took a private water taxi directly to Venice Airport. It was incredibly straightforward and made handling luggage so much easier than tackling bridges and cobbled streets. It is a smooth, scenic and stress-free way to say goodbye to the city.
Why Travel Italy By Rail?
Linking Rome, Florence and Venice by train works beautifully:
- Central to central: Stations are right in the heart of the cities.
- Relaxed: No airport security queues or long transfers.
- Scenic: Enjoy hills, vineyards and charming towns from your seat.
- Efficient: Frequent services and easy boarding.
For my clients, I love to combine rail journeys with:
- Handpicked hotels that match your style, from characterful boutiques to classic luxury
- Private transfers and water taxis where they add extra comfort and ease
- Expert local guides to bring art, history and culture to life
- Restaurant recommendations and special experiences tailored to your interests
Ready To Plan Your Own Italian Trilogy?
My time in Rome, Florence and Venice, linked by rail and anchored by the L’Orologio hotels, was a reminder of just how magical Italy can be when you travel at a slightly slower, more thoughtful pace.
If this has sparked ideas for your own Italian adventure, I would love to help. Whether you are dreaming of:
- A romantic escape
- A special celebration or honeymoon
- A culture-filled city break
- Or a tailor-made itinerary that includes other Italian gems too
I can design an Italian Trilogy by rail that is completely personalised to you, with all the logistics taken care of.
Contact me to start planning your Italian rail journey and let’s create your own unforgettable story through Rome, Florence and Venice.
