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 - Rome to London including the Venice Simplon Orient Express
Travel from Rome to London in timeless luxury aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, passing through stunning European landscapes.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Zurich
London to Zurich by First Class rail
Your holiday begins at beautifully restored 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. On arrival at the Gare du Nord your private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland, through the undulating Swiss countryside to the attractive lakeside city of Zurich. It is a short walk (600 yards) to your overnight hotel, the comfortable, welcoming and highly-rated Hotel Glockenhof (4 star).
- Day 2railovernight: Rome
Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Rome
After breakfast make a whistle-stop tour of Zurich; most of the city's sights lie within the compact area either side of the River Limmat, including the Grossmunster, Fraumunster and St Peterskirche. Then return to Zurich station and join the comfortable EuroCity service along the spectacular Gotthard route, through picturesque scenery and past soaring mountain peaks into Italy. At Milan's imposing art-deco station change trains and join the flagship Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service south to Rome and into Roma Termini station. Make your way to your base for the next three nights, the well-located Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star).
- Day 3overnight: Rome
At leisure in Rome
Rome is truly one of the most thrilling and seductive cities in the world. Discover a feast of architectural wonders, fine art and indulgent dining, with world renowned attractions including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colosseum and Vatican City, before perhaps having a break with a gelato in Piazza Navona or shopping on Via del Corso.
- Day 4overnight: Rome
At leisure in Rome
A second full day in the Eternal City. An attraction not to be missed is Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel; alternatively, for spectacular panoramic cityscape scenery, take a trip to the top of St. Peter's Cathedral.
- Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Rome & across Europe aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express
After breakfast you have most of the day free to further explore Rome and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Then bid farewell to Rome and make your way to Roma Termini station, where you board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin. Dress for dinner: a pre-dinner cocktail, then 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 6rail
Arrival into Paris, Paris to London, Homeward bound
Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you, and you have the morning to relax on board this unique train before it pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est. Make your own way the short distance (800 yards) to Paris' Gare du Nord, where you board the Eurostar for the comfortable journey in Standard Premier Class back to London St Pancras International, with a light meal and drinks included.
Included
- Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) from London to Paris and private taxi transfer across Paris
- First Class rail from Paris to Zurich and on to Rome via Milan
- 1 night B&B in a twin/double room at the Hotel Glockenhof (4 star) in Zurich
- 3 nights' B&B in a twin/double room at the Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star) in Rome
- Twin/double compartment on the Orient Express from Rome to Paris
- Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) from Paris to London
