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
2027 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 (Hotel Glockenhof)
London to Zurich by First Class rail
Begin at the beautifully restored London St Pancras station and 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, a private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, through undulating countryside to the lakeside city of Zurich. It is a short walk (600 yards) to your overnight hotel, the Hotel Glockenhof (4 star).
- Day 2railovernight: Rome (Boutique Hotel Liberty)
Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Rome
After breakfast, a whistle-stop tour of Zurich takes in the Old Town, the elegant shops of Bahnhofstrasse, the baroque Rathaus, the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, and St Peterskirche, all near the River Limmat by Lake Zurich. Return to Zurich station to join the Euro City service along the spectacular Gotthard route, past soaring mountain peaks and into Italy. At Milan's art-deco station, change trains for the Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service to Rome, arriving into Roma Termini. Make your way to your base for the next three nights, the Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star).
- Day 3overnight: Rome (Boutique Hotel Liberty)
At leisure in Rome
Rome is 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, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and Vatican City, perhaps with a break for gelato in Piazza Navona or some shopping on Via del Corso.
- Day 4overnight: Rome (Boutique Hotel Liberty)
At leisure in Rome
A second full day in the Eternal City. Don't miss Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, or for spectacular panoramic cityscape views, 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
The morning is free to further explore Rome and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the city. Bid farewell to Rome at Roma Termini station, where you board the Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin and attends you throughout the journey. Dress for dinner: a pre-dinner cocktail followed by a delicious four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs, perhaps with a drink in the bar car to the sound of 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, with the morning free to relax on board. The train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est; make your own way the short distance (800 yards) to the Gare du Nord to board the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from Paris back to London St Pancras International, with a light meal and drinks included.
Included
- 5 night / 6 day holiday by rail from London to Rome
- 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
