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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

A Relaxing Rail Holiday to Venice

10-day rail journey from Paris to Cologne with three nights in Venice

Illustration of A Relaxing Rail Holiday to Venice

Tailor Made Rail's A Relaxing Rail Holiday to Venice is a 10-day independent rail journey connecting Paris, Lausanne, Brig, Venice, Innsbruck, Munich and Cologne. The trip emphasizes short journeys and minimal train changes, allowing travellers to move unhurried through five European countries. All Standard Class rail travel, seat reservations and nine nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast are included; tickets arrive by email and documentation is designed to be straightforward. The itinerary balances travel days with extended time in major cities, particularly Venice, where you have two full free days. On Day 4 you travel the Simplon Route high in the Alps into Italy, passing Lake Garda and Verona before arriving in Venice. Free time in Paris, Lausanne, Innsbruck and Munich lets you explore at your own pace. The return to London on Day 10 follows the Rhine through Cologne, with an option to stop in Brussels. This suits independent travellers and rail enthusiasts who want European variety without a group, and couples seeking a slower, hotel-based approach to multi-country rail travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Pricing is per person for two sharing; single supplements apply for sole occupancy
  • The from-price (GBP 1,699 low season) covers the package and Standard Class rail; First Class upgrades available from GBP 200 per person
  • Hotels listed are the standard options; upgrades to higher-tier properties are available as paid extras

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Paris

    London to Paris

    Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, travelling morning or afternoon depending on onward plans. Metro or taxi to Gare de Lyon, with an evening at leisure in Paris.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lausanne

    Paris to Lausanne

    Free morning in Paris, perhaps the Latin Quarter or Jardins de Luxembourg, before a high-speed TGV to Switzerland. Arrive Lausanne mid-afternoon and explore the historic centre and Lake Geneva waterfront.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Brig

    Lausanne to Brig

    A rail journey of under 90 minutes, no seat reservation needed, allowing more time in Lausanne along the Swiss Riviera or in Alpine Brig, overlooked by 17th-century Stockalper Castle.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Venice

    Brig to Venice

    Rail journey along the Simplon Route high in the Alps, crossing into Italy via Milan, Lake Garda and Verona to Venice. Check in for a 3-night stay near Santa Lucia station.

  5. Day 5overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Free day to explore Venice at your own pace, including St Mark's Square, the Accademia, or a boat ride to Murano or Burano.

  6. Day 6overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Second free day to explore Venice's hidden streets and campos away from the main square.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Innsbruck

    Venice to Innsbruck

    Direct train to Innsbruck via the Italian and Austrian Tyrol, arriving mid-evening with time for dinner in the medieval centre.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Munich

    Innsbruck to Munich

    Free morning in Innsbruck's Old Town or a cable car to the Nordkette, then a choice of high-speed train (under 2 hours) or a scenic route via Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Munich.

  9. Day 9overnight: Cologne

    Munich to Cologne

    Direct ICE high-speed service into the centre of Cologne on the River Rhine.

  10. Day 10rail

    Cologne to London

    Train to Brussels, connecting in the same station onto the Eurostar bound for London. Option to stop an extra night in Brussels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2High-speed TGV from Paris to Lausanne, arriving mid-afternoon to explore the Swiss waterfront along Lake Geneva
  • Day 4Rail journey along the Simplon Route high in the Alps, crossing into Italy via Milan, Lake Garda and Verona to Venice
  • Day 5Free day in Venice to visit St Mark's Square, the Accademia, or take a boat to Murano or Burano
  • Day 7Direct train through Italian and Austrian Tyrol to Innsbruck, with evening time in the medieval centre
  • Day 9Direct ICE high-speed service into central Cologne on the River Rhine

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 9 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. All rail journeys in Standard Class, seat reservations, and Eurostar from London to Paris are included in the price. First Class upgrades are available for an additional charge.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is a tailor-made independent rail holiday. You travel at your own pace with easy-to-follow documentation and tickets provided by Tailor Made Rail. There is no group or guide.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (London St Pancras to Paris), TGV (Paris to Lausanne), regional trains in Switzerland and Italy, a direct train to Innsbruck, and ICE high-speed service (Munich to Cologne).
What hotels are included?
Nine nights in hand-picked hotels with breakfast: Hotel Sleeping Belle (Paris, 1 night), Agora Swiss Night Hotel (Lausanne, 1 night), Ambassador Hotel (Brig, 1 night), Carlton on the Grand Canal (Venice, 3 nights), AC Hotel Innsbruck (1 night), Courtyard City Centre (Munich, 1 night), Mondial am Dom MGallery (Cologne, 1 night).
When does it run?
The package runs year-round. Low season pricing (GBP 1,699 per person) applies November to March; high season (GBP 1,799 per person) applies April to October.
How much free time is there?
Free time is built in to most cities. Venice offers two full days to explore independently. Other cities (Paris, Lausanne, Brig, Innsbruck, Munich, Cologne) have mornings or afternoons free depending on train times.

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