Itinerary Highlights
  • Experience Italy by train as you travel from city to city exploring the country's rich cultural heritage
  • See Venice by boat and learn about glassmaking
  • Cook up a storm in Bologna
  • Go behind the scenes at the Uffizi gallery in Florence
  • After hours at the Vatican in Rome
  • Learn more about Naples and venture to the ancient city of Pompeii
  • Explore the island of Sicily, on an unforgettable road trip
  • Soak up the sun and the history of Malta
  • Adventure, activities and history in Greece

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Over the course of six weeks, this sabbatical takes you through Italy, onto Sicily and Malta and then around Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula for a fascinating cultural experience.



Hop on a train through Italy to discover beautiful culture, rich history and picture-perfect scenery, all from the comfort of a chugging locomotive. Your sabbatical begins with a stay in Venice, where you can explore the waterways of one of the capitals of romance by gondola or boat. Bologna is the next port of call and, as the food capital of Italy, there is pizza and pasta galore. Enjoy a traditional cooking lesson before heading back to the train with full stomachs, ready for the next leg of the adventure.



After meandering through Italian countryside, spend a few days enjoying Florence’s bustling art scene as you wander south of the river to meet local artists and soak up the culture. Rome, the Vatican City and Naples are the next stops, followed by the history-packed ancient city of Pompeii for a day spent in awe of the beautiful Roman architecture and the power of mother nature. Fly to Sicily for the next few days for guided tours and cooking courses, before heading to small-but-mighty Malta, with its rich history and varied landscapes. End your European adventure with ten days in Greece’s Peloponnese region before heading home.

Route

Everything is 100% tailored to you
DAYS 1 to 3

Venetian Adventures

Your luxury cultural sabbatical begins in Italy, where you will hop onto to a luxury train - your mode of transport for the first half of your European journey. Sit back and relax as you enjoy one of the best ways to travel around this diverse and wonderful continent. After arriving in style by train, the first stage of your European cultural adventure is the bold and beautiful city of Venice. Explore the waterways of one of the capitals of romance in the best way (some might say the only way) - by boat.

Spend the first day on a private tour of the cities' best-known spots before heading to Murano, renowned for its glassmaking, and Burano, to see the island's colourful houses.

DAYS 4 to 6

Cooking up a Storm in Bologna

Heading south, jump off the train at Bologna, the food capital of Italy. Perfect your pasta and pizza in private lessons with a local expert who will teach you the art of traditional Italian cooking - a sure fire way to impress friends and family back at home when you return from your cultural sabbatical.

DAYS 7 to 10

Art in Florence, What Else?

Enjoy the views from your window as the train meanders through the Italian countryside, until you reach your next stop; Florence. Delve into the Uffizi Gallery's collection with a private art historian as your guide. Stroll past the queues to see the Duomo and then head south of the river, to meet local artisans, soaking up the local culture on your luxury sabbatical.

DAYS 11 to 14

Behind the Scenes in Rome

Arriving in Rome, drop your bags and head straight for the Vatican City. You can explore the seat of the Catholic church, which is also the smallest city in the world. You can experience the Vatican after hours, or behind-the-scenes with the Swiss Guards, depending on personal preference.

DAYS 15 to 17

Hidden Naples and Pompeii

Your cultural sabbatical will see you journeying to Naples to explore Italy's most unlikely masterpiece; with its raw energy and inimitable elegance, Naples is an Italian city unlike any other (plus, if you needed any more convincing, it's the place where pizza was invented!). Explore the hidden parts of the city on a private tour with a guide (who can also help you find the best places for a slice or ten), before you embark on a day trip to Pompeii to see the destructive beauty of Mt Vesuvius; this is a day for reflection and wonder at the beauty of Roman architecture and the power of mother nature.

DAYS 18 to 25

A Sicilian Road Trip

After flying to the island of Sicily spend the next eight days of your luxury cultural sabbatical exploring the island on a road trip round the south-eastern coast. Your road trip will include all of the delights of Sicily, including an expert-guided walking tour of Agrigento; a jaunt around Ragusa and Modica, two of the island's loveliest baroque town;, an authentic cookery course; and a 4X4 tour of Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorges - this is a trip for the memory books.

DAYS 26 to 30

Cultural Variety in Malta

From Sicily you'll travel to the diverse and beautiful island of Malta. Packing in a glorious variety of landscapes, culture and history, marvel at this small but mighty set of islands and all of their wonders over the next four days. Take a tour of the fascinating prehistoric caves at Ghar Dalam and the Tarxerian Temples before a boat tour of the beautiful Blue Grotto.

As a centre for trade throughout history, Malta and it's sister islands of Gozo and Comino, have an intriguing culture unlike anywhere else. Taste the flavours of Italy alongside Arabic spices, tuck into fresh seafood with a glass of Maltese wine, and make sure to leave space for a cheeseboard of local cheese, condiments and cured meats come supper.

DAYS 31 to 41

A Tour of the Peloponnese

After flying into Athens and enjoying a city break in this historic city, you will travel to Kalamata (make plenty of time to sample the region's incredible food) and then onto Levidi. The picturesque and historic city of Levidi will be the site for your ATV off-roading tour; expect a rush of adrenaline and awe, especially when you get to the Kapsia Cave, with its breath-taking stalactites and stalagmites.

Next, test your nerve with a guided hike of the Lousios Gorge and rafting down the Lousios River. Then, once you're done with adventure, it's time for a change of pace as you head north-east to Mycenae for a behind-the-scenes tour with an archaeological expert to learn about the rich history of this important ancient site. Make sure you ask all of your questions and soak up every inch of culture as your sabbatical comes to an end.

A Rough Idea of Price

Dependent on season, accommodation and activities
The cost for this trip starts from £10,815 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £12,435 per person.
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