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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Classic Italy and the Swiss Alps

Independent rail trip from Rome through Florence, Milan, and the Swiss Alps

Illustration of Classic Italy and the Swiss Alps

Railbookers runs Classic Italy and the Swiss Alps as a 15-day, 14-night independent rail vacation from Rome to Zurich, taking in Florence, Milan, St. Moritz, and Grindelwald along the way. The first eight days settle into Italy, with guided tours of the Vatican Museums and the Roman Forum in Rome and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, plus free time to explore each city's streets. From Milan, the route turns north: the Bernina Express crosses the Bernina Pass at 2,253 meters into St. Moritz, and the Glacier Express then rides the Albula route and the Landwasser Viaduct to Grindelwald, in the Bernese Alps. A day trip climbs the Jungfraubahn cog railway to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway point in Europe, before the trip ends with a final night in Zurich. Because it is sold as an independent package rather than an escorted tour, it suits travelers who want two countries and several scenic trains covered on their own schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotels listed are a set of 31 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than a fixed list of stays; which hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • Day 12 in Grindelwald and part of day 6 in Florence are free days with no included tour, so build in independent planning time for those stops.
  • The evidence available does not list current departure dates for this trip; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Your Journey Begins in Rome

    Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Come the evening, be sure to visit the Trevi Fountain and throw in a coin or two.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Explore the heritage of ancient Rome with a fascinating Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica tour.

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Your Imperial Rome tour will take you to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence

    Rome to Florence

    Travel by train directly to Florence and begin discovering the city on your own. Check out Giotto's Bell Tower, Baptistery of Saint John, or the Medici Chapels and Crypt.

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Experience the incredible Uffizi Gallery during your included tour. Take a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio and admire the spectacular Duomo Cathedral.

  6. Day 6overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Today is free for you to discover Florence on your own. Check out Piazzale Michelangelo, Mercato Centrale, the Galleria dell'Accademia or the Boboli Gardens.

  7. Day 7overnight: Milan

    Florence to Milan

    Board Trenitalia to fashionable Milan. Visit the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, San Bernadino alle Ossa, or Parco Sempione.

  8. Day 8overnight: Milan

    Milan

    Embark on your Milan sightseeing city tour today from an open-top panoramic bus, seeing the Duomo di Milano, Sforza Castle, San Siro Stadium, the Roman Amphitheater, and Royal Palace.

  9. Day 9railovernight: St. Moritz

    Bernina Express to St. Moritz

    This morning take the local train to Tirano, and board the legendary red carriages of the Bernina Express train bound for Switzerland. The Bernina Line crosses the Bernina Pass at 2253m above sea level before arriving at lakeside St Moritz.

  10. Day 10overnight: St. Moritz

    St. Moritz

    Start your day with a leisurely morning walk around the shimmering Lake St. Moritz, followed by a ride on the Corviglia Funicular for breathtaking alpine views.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Grindelwald

    St. Moritz to Grindelwald

    Board the panoramic carriages of the legendary Glacier Express train, riding the Albula route and crossing the famous Landwasser Viaduct. From Brig, you venture to Spiez, then Spiez to Interlaken and on to the village of Grindelwald.

  12. Day 12overnight: Grindelwald

    Grindelwald

    Located in the heart of the Bernese Alps, Grindelwald is a postcard perfect destination. Many travelers visit this region to go hiking to the Kleine Scheidegg or experience world-class skiing.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Grindelwald

    Jungfraujoch Day Trip

    Board the Jungfraubahn cog railway to the summit of Jungfraujoch - the Top of Europe! Pass through tunnels on the north face of the Eiger, make short stops at Eigerwand and Eismeer, and enjoy mountain views from Sphinx Terrace, the Alpine Sensation exhibition and Ice palace.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Zurich

    Grindelwald to Zurich

    Travel by train from Grindelwald to Interlaken then Interlaken to Bern; spend a few hours in the Swiss capital exploring on your own before a direct train to Zurich.

  15. Day 15

    Your Journey Ends in Zurich

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.
  • Day 5An included tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, followed by a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio.
  • Day 9The Bernina Express crosses the Bernina Pass at 2,253 meters above sea level on its way from Tirano to lakeside St. Moritz.
  • Day 11The Glacier Express rides the Albula route across the Landwasser Viaduct from St. Moritz toward Grindelwald.
  • Day 13The Jungfraubahn cog railway climbs through tunnels on the north face of the Eiger to the summit of Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 3 nights accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 3 nights accommodation with breakfast in Florence
  • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast in Milan
  • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast in St. Moritz
  • 3 nights accommodation with breakfast in Grindelwald
  • 1 night accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • Tour of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel in Rome
  • Tour of Imperial Rome
  • Uffizi Gallery tour in Florence
  • Sightseeing city tour in Milan
  • 4-day Swiss Pass
  • Seat reservations onboard the Bernina Express
  • Seat reservations onboard the Glacier Express
  • Day trip to Jungfraujoch

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, plus a 4-day Swiss Pass and seat reservations on the Bernina Express and Glacier Express.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is sold as an independent rail vacation. Railbookers arranges the trains, hotels, and a set of included tours, and travelers explore free time such as day 6 in Florence and day 12 in Grindelwald on their own.
Which trains does the trip use?
The Bernina Express from Tirano to St. Moritz, the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Grindelwald via Brig, and Trenitalia between Florence and Milan, alongside other named rail legs in the itinerary.
What hotels are used?
The trip draws from a set of 31 accommodation options across Rome, Florence, Milan, St. Moritz, Grindelwald, and Zurich, including the Kolbe Hotel Rome and the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace.
What is not included?
Upgrading to Excellence Class on the Glacier Express and extra nights in any destination are listed as optional extras rather than included in the base package.
How much walking does the trip involve?
The trip includes multiple guided city tours in Rome, Florence, and Milan, plus a day trip to the high-altitude Jungfraujoch, and the evidence notes Grindelwald is a common base for hiking to Kleine Scheidegg.

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