Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Swiss Mountains & Italian Lakes
First-Class escorted rail tour of Swiss lakes, mountains and Italy's Lake Como
10 daysfrom $5,608
80% rail
Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday
2026 Departures - Grand Tour of Italy by First Class Rail & the Venice Simplon Orient Express
Explore Italy's finest cities by rail before a spectacular journey back on the world's most luxurious train.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Montreux
By rail to Switzerland
Your holiday begins at London St. Pancras station. Travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class (Eurostar's 1st class for leisure travellers). On arrival at the Gare du Nord you are transferred by taxi to the Gare de Lyon to continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland. From Lausanne you continue to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva for your overnight stay at the belle epoque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station.
- Day 2railovernight: Florence
Through the Swiss Alps to Milan and onwards to Florence
After breakfast, board the comfortable EuroCity service along the spectacular Simplon route through picturesque scenery and past soaring mountain peaks to Milan. Here you change trains and join the Eurostar Italia service to Florence. On arrival at Florence's Santa Maria Novella station, make your own way to the welcoming Glance Hotel (4 star) for a three-night stay.
- Day 3overnight: Florence
Florence
Immerse yourself in the culture of Italy's renaissance capital with visits to the wonderful Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio or the celebrated Duomo. Enjoy the culinary delights of the city or venture further afield to Siena with its lovely shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and UNESCO world heritage medieval centre.
- Day 4railovernight: Florence
Florence
A second full day in Florence. Perhaps journey westwards to Pisa to marvel at the world-famous leaning tower or stunning Lucca, whose medieval heart is an ideal size for discovery on foot, or explore the rural appeal of the Chianti district; all easily accessible by train.
- Day 5overnight: Rome
Florence to Rome
After a relaxed start to the morning, bid farewell to Florence and return to the station for the journey south to Rome. On arrival at Rome Termini station, make your way to your hotel for the next three nights, the elegant and comfortable Liberty Boutique Hotel (4 star).
- Day 6overnight: Rome
Rome
Choose among the stunning array of sights from the Vatican City to the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps. Relax with a gelato on Piazza Navona or shop on Via del Corso. See Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel and the view from the top of St. Peter's Cathedral over the seven hills of Rome.
- Day 7railovernight: Rome
Rome
You have the opportunity to experience the brand new Vatican Tour and the Papal Train to Castel Gandolfo, the first regularly scheduled passenger service from the Vatican railway station. Priority entrance to the Vatican Gardens and Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel, then travel along the 984ft Vatican railway line, the shortest in the world, across the Tiber and through 20 miles of Italian countryside to Albano Laziale, with a shuttlebus to the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo, traditionally the Papal Summer Residence, returning to Rome in the evening.
- Day 8railovernight: Venice
Rome to Venice
Leave the Eternal City behind as you join the train for the journey to the incredible floating city of Venice. On arrival your private water taxi transfers you in the best possible style to your hotel for the next three nights, the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star), an attractive, stylish hotel in the centre of the city.
- Day 9overnight: Venice
Venice
A full day to step out in Venice. From St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal to a visit inside the stunning Doges Palace, wander amid the myriad of canals along blissfully traffic-free alleyways and campi. Enjoy Venice at dusk and after dark when the day-trippers have gone home.
- Day 10overnight: Venice
Venice
A second full day in Venice. A short boat ride leads to pretty islands on the lagoon, including Murano, home of glass-blowing, and colourful Burano, where lace and linen abound.
- Day 11railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Venice through to Switzerland aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express
This morning your water taxi takes you back to Venice Santa Lucia station, where you board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin and attends you throughout your journey. Enjoy a three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars, spend the afternoon gazing at the passing scenery of the Italian and Austrian Alps or chatting in the Bar Car, take afternoon tea in your cabin, then dress for a four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs before retiring to your compartment, transformed into a cosy bedroom.
- Day 12rail
Arrival into Paris, Paris to London, Homeward bound
Breakfast is served in your cabin at a time to suit you. The train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est and halts for 40 minutes; stretch your legs along the platform and watch the bustling activity. A delicious brunch is served in the restaurant cars as you travel towards the French coast for the Channel crossing. Join the gleaming cream and umber carriages of the British Pullman for the journey to London, where Afternoon High Tea accompanied by a glass of champagne is served at your table as you travel through the Kentish countryside to London Victoria station.
Included
- First Class rail travel from London through Switzerland to Italy
- 1 night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
- 3 nights at the Glance Hotel (4 star) in Florence
- 3 nights at the Liberty Boutique Hotel (4 star) in Rome
- 3 nights at the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star) in Venice
- Private water taxi transfer in Venice
- Overnight journey to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with meals on board
- British Pullman from the Channel to London Victoria with Afternoon High Tea and champagne
- Taxi transfer between Paris stations
