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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures - Grand Tour of Italy by First Class Rail & the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Italy's cities by first-class rail, ending on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Illustration of 2026 Departures - Grand Tour of Italy by First Class Rail & the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail's 12-day Grand Tour of Italy combines first-class rail travel through Europe with stays in four of Italy's most celebrated cities, finishing with a night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The journey begins at London St Pancras, crosses to Paris by Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, then continues by TGV through the French Alps into Switzerland and the lakeside resort of Montreux. Day two carries you through the Simplon route past soaring mountain peaks to Milan, then southward to Florence, where you spend three nights in the four-star Glance Hotel. Days three and four are unguided in Florence; you can visit the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, or take a train excursion to Pisa, Lucca, or the Chianti district. A day-train journey takes you to Rome for three nights at the Liberty Boutique Hotel, with optional sightseeing at the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and Trevi Fountain, plus an optional trip on the Vatican railway to Castel Gandolfo.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a tailor-made independent holiday, not an escorted tour. You make your own way between rail stations and hotels on some days (taxis are arranged on others); confirm the handover arrangements with Planet Rail before departure.
  • Days 3 to 4 and 6 to 7 are unguided in Florence and Rome; sightseeing is self-directed, though the itinerary lists options like the Uffizi, Vatican, and local train excursions.
  • The price shown (GBP 5995) is based on two people sharing; Planet Rail does not publish a single supplement in the evidence.

Day by day

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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).

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The EuroCity climbs through the Simplon route across the Alps into Milan, passing soaring mountain peaks and picturesque scenery before continuing south to Florence.
  • Day 7Optional journey on the Vatican railway, the world's shortest at 984 feet, from Vatican railway station across the Tiber through 20 miles of Italian countryside to Castel Gandolfo.
  • Day 11Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Venice Santa Lucia station; retire to your private cabin and enjoy a three-course lunch in the restored restaurant cars as the train climbs through the Italian and Austrian Alps.
  • Day 12Breakfast in your cabin, a 40-minute stop in Paris Gare de l'Est, brunch in the restaurant car during the Channel crossing, then continue to London aboard the British Pullman with Afternoon High Tea and champagne.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes first-class rail travel from London to Venice on Eurostar, TGV, EuroCity, and Eurostar Italia. The return to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (with cabin, meals, and steward service) and British Pullman (with Afternoon High Tea and champagne) are included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is independent and tailor-made. You are not part of a group tour. Cabin Stewards attend you on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express; on other days, you manage your own time in Florence, Rome, and Venice.
What hotels are included?
Planet Rail books you into the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (four-star superior) in Montreux for one night, the Glance Hotel (four-star) in Florence for three nights, the Liberty Boutique Hotel (four-star) in Rome for three nights, and the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (four-star) in Venice for three nights.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The trip is suited to leisurely sightseeing. Florence, Rome, and Venice involve city walking, stairs, wandering medieval alleyways, and optional boat rides to lagoon islands. No hiking or high-altitude activity is described.
What meals are included?
A light meal and drinks are served on Eurostar. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express includes a three-course lunch and breakfast in your cabin. The British Pullman includes Afternoon High Tea and champagne. Other meals are not listed as included.
When does this trip run?
The evidence lists this as a 2026 departure. Planet Rail does not publish specific departure dates in the information available; contact them to confirm scheduling.

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