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 - London to Venice Round Trip aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express
Experience the magic of Venice with a round-trip aboard the opulent Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, where every moment is pure luxury.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
London to Switzerland aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express
Your holiday begins at the stunningly restored London St. Pancras International station. Board the Eurostar for the high-speed journey to Paris in little over two hours, relaxing in your spacious Standard Premier Class seat with a light meal and drinks. On arrival in Paris make your own way the short distance from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est, where you board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin. Spend the afternoon gazing at the beautiful passing scenery through France and Switzerland, then dress for dinner: a pre-dinner cocktail, a delicious four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs, and perhaps a nightcap in the bar car with the baby grand piano before retiring to your compartment, now transformed into a cosy bedroom.
- Day 2railovernight: Venice
Through the Swiss Alps to Venice
Breakfast is served in your compartment at a time to suit you; admire the stunning views of the Swiss Alps as you start the day. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch in one of the beautiful restaurant cars, visit the on-board boutique, and admire the superb views of Lake Lucerne and Lake Como. Afternoon tea is served in your compartment, then the train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and arrives at Venice Santa Lucia station. A water taxi transfers you to your hotel for the next three nights, the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star), an attractive, welcoming hotel in a quiet area just 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge.
- Day 3overnight: Venice
At leisure in Venice
Make the most of your time to experience the uniqueness of this incredible city. Visit St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, or explore the market and shops in and around the Rialto Bridge.
- Day 4overnight: Venice
At leisure in Venice
A further day in Venice. Wander through the hidden campi and over the countless bridges which link the criss-cross of canals, or take to the water on a romantic gondola to see a different side of Venice.
- Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Venice through Italy to Switzerland aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express
After breakfast bid farewell to Venice as your water taxi transfers you across the lagoon to Venice Santa Lucia station, where you board the Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express once more. Enjoy a three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars, spend the afternoon gazing at the passing scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss 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.
- Day 6rail
Arrival into Paris, Paris to London, Homeward bound
Awake for a final time aboard the Orient Express. Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you before the train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est. A short journey across the Channel in Standard Premier Class aboard the Eurostar and arrival at St. Pancras marks the conclusion of your holiday.
Included
- First Class rail to and from London St. Pancras to Paris (Eurostar Standard Premier Class)
- Outbound and return travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express between Paris and Venice in a twin/double compartment
- All meals on board the Orient Express
- 3 nights' B&B at the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star) in Venice
- Water taxi transfers between Venice Santa Lucia station and your hotel
