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Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

Florence to London including the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Six-day London to Florence rail loop featuring the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Illustration of Florence to London including the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail's six-night "Florence to London including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express" is a luxury rail journey that reverses the classic route, sending you outbound to Italy by high-speed train and returning aboard one of the world's most celebrated sleeper trains. You depart London St Pancras on Eurostar, travel through Paris, ascend the Swiss Alps on the EuroCity's Gotthard route, and arrive in Florence with three full days to explore the Renaissance city on your own terms. The journey's centrepiece is your return: a night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a private compartment, with breakfast served in your cabin as the train glides through the Alps toward Paris, where Eurostar carries you home. The trip suits luxury-seekers and repeat rail travellers who want to combine celebrated European rail routes with leisure time and the timeless romance of classic train travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • The outbound journey from London to Florence requires a taxi transfer across Paris (800 yards between Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est) on the evening of day 1.
  • Days 3 and 4 in Florence are unguided and unstructured; you arrange and pay for your own meals and any excursions beyond the hotel.
  • Optional upgrades to a Cabin Suite or Grand Suite on the Orient Express are available but require contacting the operator for pricing.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    London to Zurich by First Class rail

    Your holiday begins as you stroll into beautifully restored London St. Pancras station. Take your time to appreciate the splendour of magnificent glass roof, then sit back, relax and watch the countryside swish past as you travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph. Enjoy the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class (formerly 1st 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. You travel through the undulating Swiss countryside to 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).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Florence

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Florence

    After breakfast why not make a whistle-stop tour of Zurich. Most of the city’s sights lie within the compact area on either side of the River Limmat, between the main station (Hauptbahnhof) and Lake Zurich. Then make your way back to Zurich station. Here you join the comfortable Euro City service to travel along the spectacular Gotthard route for the fabulous journey through picturesque scenery, past soaring mountain peaks and into Italy. On arrival at Milan’s imposing art-deco station change trains and join the flagship Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service to Florence. On arrival at Firenze Santa Maria Novella station stroll to the charming, highly-rated and family-run Hotel Rapallo (4 star) around 1 kilometre from the station and your hotel for the next three nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Florence

    At leisure in Florence

    The Hotel Rapallo is a charming, elegant hotel with all modern comforts in its tastefully furnished rooms. The hotel is centrally located enabling you to visit all of Florence’s world-renowned attractions. Immerse yourself in the culture of Italy’s renaissance capital with visits to the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio or the celebrated Duomo. Enjoy the culinary delights of the city or venture further afield to explore the beauty of Tuscany in Siena with its lovely shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and UNESCO world heritage medieval centre. Perhaps journey westwards to Pisa to marvel at the world-famous leaning tower or stunning Lucca, its medieval heart is an ideal size for discovery on foot.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence

    At leisure in Florence

    Immerse yourself in the culture of Italy’s renaissance capital with visits to the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio or the celebrated Duomo. Enjoy the culinary delights of the city or venture further afield to explore the beauty of Tuscany in Siena, Pisa or stunning Lucca. Whether you prefer the more rural appeal of the Chianti district it is good to know that all these attractive options are easily accessible by train. You could even visit the eternal city of Rome - barely more than an hour and a half away by train.

  5. Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Florence through to Switzerland aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express

    This morning after breakfast you have most of the day free to further explore Florence and enjoy a leisurely lunch in this most charming of cities. Then in the early evening it is time to bid farewell to Florence as you make your way back to Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station. Here you board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward will show you to your private cabin and will attend you throughout your journey. After you have settled in it will soon be time to dress for dinner. Why not sip a pre-dinner cocktail before making your way to one of the magnificent restaurant cars? Here you will be served a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by skilled French chefs. After dinner you may want to linger in the bar car, listening to the sound of the baby grand piano. When you are ready, retire to your compartment, which has now been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

  6. 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. Then all too soon the train pulls into Paris Gare de l’Est and the end of your journey back in time. From here 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 from Paris back to London. Let the train take the strain as you stretch out and savour the light meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service. At 186mph the landscape is a blur at times, though memories abide as you return to London St.Pancras International and the final leg of your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Eurostar departs London St Pancras station and travels to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, with light meal and drinks served in Standard Premier Class.
  • Day 2Day 2: The EuroCity travels the spectacular Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps from Zurich to Milan, with picturesque scenery and soaring peaks.
  • Day 5Day 5: You board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Florence's Santa Maria Novella station and settle into your private Wagons-Lits cabin with a personal steward.
  • Day 6Day 6: Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward before the train arrives at Paris Gare de l'Est, and Eurostar returns you to London St Pancras.

Included

  • First class rail travel from London to Florence via Zurich
  • 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 Hotel Rapallo (4 star) in Florence
  • A twin/double compartment on the Orient Express from Florence to Paris
  • Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) from Paris to London
  • Private taxi transfer across Paris on the outbound journey

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes first-class Eurostar from London to Paris, first-class TGV Paris to Zurich, first-class EuroCity Zurich to Milan, first-class Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa Milan to Florence, and a private twin or double compartment on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Florence to Paris.
Is the trip escorted or independent?
The trip is mostly independent. You have a personal steward on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express; on other trains and in Florence, you travel and explore on your own.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of £4,995 (USD $6,671) includes all named rail travel, one night bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Glockenhof in Zurich, three nights bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Rapallo in Florence, your Orient Express compartment, and a private taxi transfer across Paris.
How much free time is there?
You have most of day 2 for a whistle-stop tour of Zurich after breakfast. Days 3 and 4 are entirely free in Florence; you can visit the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, or explore nearby towns like Siena, Pisa, Lucca, or the Chianti district.
Can I fly to Florence instead?
Yes. Planet Rail offers the option to fly to Florence instead of travelling by train on days 1 and 2; the operator says a saving of up to £600 can be applied (dependent on final air fares).

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