Search

Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures - The Orient Express La Dolce Vita - Bella Italia - Rome - Venice - Siena - Rome - by rail

Seven-day London to Rome rail loop aboard Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Illustration of 2026 Departures - The Orient Express La Dolce Vita - Bella Italia - Rome - Venice - Siena - Rome - by rail

Planet Rail operates this seven-day tailor-made rail holiday that departs from London St. Pancras and loops through the Swiss Alps and Italian cities before returning to London. The journey opens with a day of First Class rail travel from London through Paris and Zurich, with a free morning in Zurich to explore the city's sights along the River Limmat. Two nights in the four-star Hotel dei Mellini in Rome allow time to visit the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Sistine Chapel at your own pace. The heart of the trip is three nights aboard the Orient Express La Dolce Vita, a 1960s-inspired luxury train departing from Roma Ostiense station. Aboard, you travel through Italian countryside toward Venice, where you enjoy a guided artisan tour and lunch before returning to the train for aperitifs and dinner. The second night on the train brings you to Siena for a guided city tour and lunch, then back to Rome. The return journey carries you through the Alps via the scenic Simplon Pass to Montreux (one night in the four-star Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic) and onward to London. All meals and drinks on the Orient Express, breakfast in hotels, guided city experiences, rail fares, and private Paris taxi transfers are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 7,495 per person is for a Deluxe cabin; Suite cabins start at GBP 9,495 per person, an additional GBP 2,000 upgrade.
  • Pricing is based on two people travelling together; no single supplement is published in the evidence.
  • Chateau de Chillon in Montreux on Day 7 is payable locally and not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By Rail to Switzerland

    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 in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at the Gare du Nord your private taxi transfers you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, through the undulating Swiss countryside to the attractive lakeside city of Zurich. It is a short walk (700 metres) to your overnight hotel, the comfortable, welcoming and highly-rated Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Rome

    Free-time in Zurich - Through the Swiss Alps to Rome

    After breakfast make a whistle-stop tour of Zurich, whose sights cluster either side of the River Limmat. Then return to the station for the scenic journey along the impressive Gotthard route across the Swiss Alps, climbing to the foot of the snow-capped peaks and through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, before continuing past the outstanding Italian Lakes to Milan. At Milan's imposing art-deco station change trains and join the flagship Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service to Rome. From Roma Termini make your way to your hotel for the next two nights, the stylish and very highly-rated Hotel dei Mellini (4 star) in the elegant Prati district, close to the River Tiber, 10 minutes on foot from the Spanish Steps and 15 minutes from St. Peter's Cathedral.

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    Exploring 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.

  4. Day 4railovernight: On board the Orient Express La Dolce Vita

    Board The Orient Express - La Dolce Vita

    This afternoon excitement builds as you prepare to depart from Roma Ostiense station on board the unique 1960's inspired Orient Express La Dolce Vita Luxury Train. Sit back and relax in your deluxe cabin watching the Italian scenery as you leisurely wend your way northwards towards Venice. At your leisure, make your way to the bar car for an aperitif in anticipation of a sumptuous evening meal with musical entertainment, before retiring to your deluxe cabin for a restful night's sleep.

  5. Day 5railovernight: On board the Orient Express La Dolce Vita

    The Orient Express to Venice

    This morning, as you travel through the Italian countryside, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take in the unique atmosphere and charm of this luxury rail experience. Cross the shimmering waters of the lagoon and arrive in Venice, where you enjoy an intriguing city visit and lunch. Upon returning to the Orient Express, enjoy an Italian aperitivo before dinner on board and your second night sleeping in Orient Express luxury.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Siena and Rome, then through the Alps to Lake Geneva

    Enjoy your second morning on board with a delicious breakfast before arriving in Siena, with a city tour and lunch. Then board the Orient Express back to Rome; the train pulls into Roma Ostiense station where you bid farewell to your luxury train. Head back to Roma Termini for the journey north to Milan aboard Eurostar Italia, then join the comfortable EuroCity service into the Alps for the spectacular journey up the Rhone Valley and through the Simplon Pass, continuing to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Your overnight hotel is the belle epoque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station.

  7. Day 7rail

    Montreux to London

    Stretch your legs this morning or board the trolley bus to the stunning medieval Chateau de Chillon (payable locally), one of the best-preserved castles in Europe. Then join the InterRegio train to Lausanne, change to the TGV to Paris, and take your private taxi transfer to the Gare du Nord where you join the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International, with the meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The EuroCity train climbs through the Swiss Alps via the Gotthard route and passes through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, before descending past the Italian Lakes to Milan.
  • Day 4Departure from Roma Ostiense station aboard the Orient Express La Dolce Vita, a 1960s-inspired luxury train, with aperitifs in the bar car and a sumptuous evening meal.
  • Day 5The train crosses the lagoon and arrives in Venice for a city visit and lunch, followed by an Italian aperitivo and dinner aboard the Orient Express.
  • Day 6Morning breakfast on board before arriving in Siena for a city tour and lunch, then return to Roma Ostiense to bid farewell to the luxury train and join the EuroCity service through the Alps toward Lake Geneva.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Rome and return via Zurich and Montreux (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • 4 nights' hotel accommodation in 4 star hotels with breakfast each day: 2 nights in Rome plus overnight stays in Zurich and Montreux
  • Double deluxe ensuite cabin on the Orient Express La Dolce Vita from Rome to Venice & Siena and return, with all meals and drinks included
  • All table d'hote meals on board, with seasonal and local products
  • A selection of beverages throughout the journey
  • Exclusive experiences in each destination, curated by the best local specialists
  • Food and beverage during the offboard experiences
  • 24-hour onboard service and entertainment
  • An artisan tour of Venice
  • Siena city tour and a journey into traditions
  • Private taxi transfers across Paris

Not included

  • Some premium drinks on board (at an additional cost)
  • Chateau de Chillon, Montreux (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Which trains am I aboard?
You travel on Eurostar (London to Paris, Paris to London), TGV (Paris to Zurich, Lausanne to Paris), EuroCity (Zurich to Milan, Milan to Montreux), Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa and Eurostar Italia (Milan to Rome, Rome to Milan), the Orient Express La Dolce Vita (Rome to Venice and Siena and back to Rome), InterRegio (Montreux to Lausanne), and Standard Premier or First Class depending on the segment.
Is train travel included?
Yes. First Class rail travel from London to Rome and return via Zurich and Montreux is included, as is the deluxe cabin on the Orient Express La Dolce Vita from Rome to Venice and Siena and back to Rome.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Planet Rail describes it as an independent, tailor-made holiday with 24-hour onboard service and exclusive destination experiences curated by local specialists. City visits in Rome, Venice, and Siena are guided.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily in the four-star hotels. All table d'hote meals and a selection of beverages are included on board the Orient Express La Dolce Vita. Light meals and drinks are served on Eurostar; other rail segments' catering is not specified.
How many nights do I sleep on the train?
Two nights: one from Rome to Venice (Day 4-5) and one from Venice to Siena and back toward Rome (Day 5-6).
What is not included?
Some premium drinks on board the Orient Express are at an additional cost. Chateau de Chillon in Montreux is payable locally.

Similar journeys