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Florence, Venice, Milan, Zurich, and Paris

Five-city Europe rail trip from Florence to Paris via Venice, Milan, Zurich

Illustration of Florence, Venice, Milan, Zurich, and Paris

Railbookers operates this 11-day, 10-night rail trip through five European cities, from Florence to Paris via Venice, Milan and Zurich, spending two nights in each city. The trip opens with exclusive access to the Duomo Terraces and Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence, followed by a walking tour of the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David. From Florence the tour boards Trenitalia to Venice for a small-group tour of the Doge's Palace and the Golden Basilica, then continues by train to Milan for a pizza and gelato-making class and a walking tour of the Duomo with rooftop access. A direct train from Milan crosses the Swiss Alps to Zurich for a city tour, lake cruise and chocolate museum, before a high-speed train reaches Paris for a gourmet dinner cruise on the Seine and skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets. The pace suits travellers who want a guided highlight in every city rather than long stretches of unstructured time.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are chosen from a list of 30 accommodation options across price tiers and cities, so the specific hotel, for example a Florence hotel ranging from a boutique property to the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, depends on what is booked.
  • The trip's highlights mention a Chianti wine tasting and a Louvre Museum visit that do not appear in the day-by-day itinerary or the included list; confirm with Railbookers whether these are part of this specific package.
  • The evidence does not list current departure dates for this itinerary; confirm timing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Florence

    Your Journey Begins in Florence

    Welcome to Florence! Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. In the evening, set out on your tour to discover exclusive access to the Duomo Terraces and Brunelleschi's Dome. Enjoy the opportunity to explore the hidden terraces of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, granting you panoramic views of Florence's historic cityscape, rarely seen by visitors. Stand in awe beneath the vast dome, an iconic symbol of Renaissance ingenuity, where you will delve into the story of its daring construction by Filippo Brunelleschi and marvel at the intricate frescoes that adorn its interior, making this experience a highlight for any art and architecture enthusiast.

  2. Day 2overnight: Florence

    Florence

    After breakfast, make your way to your walking tour and visit the world-famous Accademia gallery. The Accademia Gallery, is home to one of the most iconic sculptures in the world, Michelangelo's David. Absorb all Florence has to offer as you walk the cobbled streets and admire the cathedrals.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Florence to Venice

    Board Trenitalia to magical Venice. On arrival at Santa Lucia station, you will quickly realize just how wonderful this corner of the world is. Settle in at your hotel then step out and start discovering the sprawling canals and local charms on your own.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    This morning, make your way to St Mark's Square for the start of your small group tour to the Doges Palace, and mesmerizing Golden Basilica. Following this, it is a guided walking tour through the quieter lanes and alleys, where you will see some architectural gems and historical buildings that are often overlooked by the crowds.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Milan

    Venice to Milan

    Enjoy a final breakfast by the canals before taking a direct train to Milan for a two-night stay. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and leave your luggage behind for a day of exploring. Kick-start your stay in Milan with a Pizza and gelato-making class and learn how to cook like the locals. Enjoy the food you create which makes for the perfect bite to eat!

  6. Day 6overnight: Milan

    Milan

    Today, immerse yourself fully in the heart of Milan with a walking tour that grants you exclusive access to the awe-inspiring Duomo, Milan's most iconic landmark. Venture inside this architectural masterpiece to explore its intricate interiors, marveling at the stunning stained-glass windows and the detailed sculptures that adorn its vast nave. The highlight of the tour is the privileged access to the rooftop terraces, where you can walk amongst the spires and statues, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the cityscape against the backdrop of the Italian Alps.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zurich

    Milan to Zurich

    This morning, board a direct train service from Milan to Zurich and pass through the Italian countryside into the Swiss Alps. On arrival, make your way to your hotel and check-in for a two-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Following breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zurich with an expert guide to introduce you to the city and the old town. Explore the city by bus to get an overview of the various districts. Embark on a guided walking tour of the Old Town and discover the city and its beautiful surroundings from the water during an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Paris

    Zurich to Paris

    Enjoy a final breakfast in Zurich this morning before making your journey to Paris on a direct high-speed train. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel in Paris – the romantic city of lights – for a two-night stay. Enjoy a gourmet dinner cruise today and enjoy stunning views of Paris as you float along the Seine.

  10. Day 10overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Spend another day sightseeing in Paris using your skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets for what surely will be one of the best photo opportunities of your whole trip. You might also like to visit the history museum located within the Arc de Triomphe or marvel at the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. In the evening, enjoy a cruise along the river Seine and enjoy viewing Paris from another perspective!

  11. Day 11rail

    Your Journey Ends in Paris

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you would like to extend your holiday to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Exclusive access to the Duomo Terraces and Brunelleschi's Dome for panoramic views of Florence's historic cityscape.
  • Day 4A small-group tour of the Doge's Palace and the Golden Basilica in St Mark's Square, followed by a walking tour through Venice's quieter lanes.
  • Day 6A walking tour of Milan's Duomo with access to its rooftop.
  • Day 7A direct train from Milan to Zurich passing through the Italian countryside into the Swiss Alps.
  • Day 9A gourmet dinner cruise along the Seine on arrival in Paris.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Florence
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Venice
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Milan
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • Exclusive Access to the Duomo Terraces and Brunelleschis Magnificent Dome
  • Florence Museums Tour - Skip the Line Accademia + Uffizi Masterclass
  • Venice Highlights: Walking tour with Gondola ride, Doges Palace, and St Marks Basilica guided tour
  • Small-Group Gelato and Pizza-Making Class in Milan
  • Small-Group Walking Tour of Milan with Duomo Access
  • Motorcoach City Tour of Zurich with Lake Cruise and Chocolate Museum
  • Tickets for the Eiffel Tower with Summit and Priority Boarding
  • Gourmet Dinner Cruise on the River Seine

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included on this trip?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, connecting Florence, Venice, Milan, Zurich and Paris.
Which trains are used?
Trenitalia for the Italian legs (Florence to Venice, Venice to Milan), a direct train from Milan to Zurich, and a direct high-speed train from Zurich to Paris; the evidence lists SNCF, including TGV service, among the trains used on this route.
Is the trip guided or independent?
It includes guided experiences in every city, including small-group tours, a pizza and gelato-making class in Milan, and a motorcoach city tour with lake cruise in Zurich, alongside evenings and some daytime hours left free to explore independently.
What hotels are used?
The trip draws from a list of 30 accommodation options across the five cities, including the Anglo American Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton and Four Seasons Hotel Firenze in Florence, and Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli and Hotel Metropole in Venice.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes guided walking tours in every city, plus stair climbs for the Duomo Terraces and Brunelleschi's Dome access in Florence and the Duomo rooftop tour in Milan.

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