Search

Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Grand Tour of Italy by First Class Rail

Italy's great cities by First Class rail from London through Zurich

Illustration of Grand Tour of Italy by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Grand Tour of Italy by First Class Rail is a 12-day self-guided journey from London to Montreux via Italy's three greatest cities. The itinerary departs London on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, crosses to Zurich by TGV through the French countryside, then descends via the Gotthard Base Tunnel and the Italian Lakes to Milan. From Milan, First Class Italian Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca trains carry you to Venice for three nights, where you navigate the canals and visit St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. Rome follows with three nights to tour the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel. Three nights in Florence let you explore the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio, with optional day trips by train to Siena, Pisa, and Lucca. The journey concludes with a journey north across the Simplon Pass through the Swiss Alps to one night in Montreux before returning to London. All daytime trains travel First Class, hotels are four-star, and private taxi transfers are arranged in Paris and Venice. This package suits repeat rail travellers, history enthusiasts, and couples seeking a leisurely, self-directed Italian experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a self-guided tailor-made package; Planet Rail arranges the bookings but does not accompany you. Confirm the exact train numbers and transfer details with Planet Rail before departure.
  • Day 7 in Rome includes an optional Vatican Tour and Papal Train to Castel Gandolfo (Saturdays only, from GBP 45 per person), charged separately.
  • The from-price of GBP 2,495 (approximately USD 3,332) covers the package; check with Planet Rail whether your home country's rail-pass validation or visa chores apply to the Eurostar segments.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    From St Pancras International relax in your Standard Premier Class seat on the Eurostar to Paris. At the Gare du Nord your private taxi driver transfers you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon, where you board the TGV through the French and Swiss countryside to the lakeside city of Zurich and your overnight hotel, the Hotel Helmhaus.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Venice

    Morning to tour Zurich along the River Limmat: the Old Town, the baroque Rathaus and the four main churches including the Grossmunster, Fraumunster and St Peter with the largest clock face in Europe. Then take the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, past the Italian Lakes to Milan, changing to the Eurostar Italia Frecciabianca service to Venice. Arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia and travel along the Grand Canal by private water taxi to the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente for three nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Embrace the magic of Venice amid its mosaic of intertwined canals and bridges. Start at St. Mark's Square, pass the symbolic Doge's Palace and explore the hidden waterways and Grand Canal from the comfort of a traditional gondola.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Wander past Byzantine basilicas and painted palazzi, or journey across the UNESCO World Heritage Venetian lagoon to the islands of Murano and Burano, famous for their glass blowing, lace and coloured houses.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Rome

    Venice to Rome

    Savour a final morning in Venice before returning to Venezia Santa Lucia by private water taxi for your First Class journey south on the Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa service to Rome. From Roma Termini make your way to the Liberty Boutique Hotel for three nights.

  6. Day 6overnight: Rome

    Rome

    The Eternal City spans classical ruins, Renaissance palazzi and Baroque fountains, with quirky shops on the Via del Corso, lively bars and rustic trattorias. Visit the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican City and the Colosseum.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Rome

    Rome

    Marvel at the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's painted ceiling and the view from the top of St. Peters across Rome's seven hills. Optional excursion: the Vatican Tour and the Papal Train to Castel Gandolfo (Saturdays only, from £45 per person), with priority entrance to the Vatican Gardens and Museums, the world's shortest railway line, and the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Florence

    Rome to Florence

    Depart Roma Termini on the Eurostar Italia service to Renaissance Florence, relaxing in your first class seat as central Italy unfurls. From Firenze Santa Maria Novella stroll to the Glance Hotel, your base for three nights.

  9. Day 9overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Explore the epicentre of the Italian Renaissance on foot: the celebrated Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), the world renowned Uffizi Gallery and the iconic Ponte Vecchio.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    Enjoy Florentine and Tuscan culinary delights, or take a trip through Tuscany's rolling hills: Siena's UNESCO World Heritage medieval centre, Pisa's leaning tower and Lucca's Renaissance-era city walls are all easily accessible by train.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Montreux

    Florence to Lake Geneva

    Join the first class Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa north to Milan, crossing the Apennine Mountains, then change to the EuroCity service across the Simplon Pass through the Swiss Alps to Lake Geneva and the lakeside town of Montreux. Overnight at the belle epoque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, directly across from the station.

  12. Day 12rail

    Montreux to London

    Morning to explore Montreux's Old Town or stroll the flower bedecked promenade to the historic Chateau de Chillon (payable locally). Then take the InterRegio to Lausanne, the super-fast TGV back to Paris, a private taxi transfer to the Gare du Nord, and the Eurostar to London St Pancras with at-seat meal and drink service in Standard Premier Class.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Gotthard route train climbs through the Swiss Alps and passes the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, before descending to the Italian Lakes.
  • Day 3Day in Venice: ride a traditional gondola through the canals to St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace.
  • Day 7Ascend St. Peter's Basilica for views across Rome's seven hills and the Vatican's Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's painted ceiling.
  • Day 9Explore Florence's Renaissance centre: the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio.
  • Day 11The EuroCity crosses the Simplon Pass through the Swiss Alps to Lake Geneva, arriving in Montreux by the belle epoque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic.

Included

  • First Class rail travel on daytime trains throughout (Eurostar in Standard Premier Class)
  • 11 nights 4 star accommodation: 1 night Zurich, 3 nights Venice, 3 nights Rome, 3 nights Florence, 1 night Montreux
  • Private taxi transfers across Paris between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon in both directions
  • Private water taxi transfers in Venice

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. First Class daytime trains are included throughout: Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from London to Paris and back, TGV from Paris to Zurich and Lausanne to Paris, Gotthard route train from Zurich to Milan, Italian Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca services between Milan, Venice, Rome, and Florence, and EuroCity from Milan to Montreux.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
It is self-guided and tailor-made by Planet Rail. The operator arranges all bookings but does not provide a guide or accompany the group.
What accommodation is included?
Four-star hotels: one night in Zurich at Hotel Helmhaus, three nights in Venice at Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, three nights in Rome at Liberty Boutique Hotel, three nights in Florence at Hotel Glance, and one night in Montreux at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic.
Are meals included?
The included meals are at-seat service on Eurostar. Other meals are not mentioned in the package; dining in restaurants, trattorias, and cafes is your own arrangement.
How much walking is involved?
Each city day includes walking tours of the city centre. Days 3-4 in Venice involve wandering past basilicas and exploring the Grand Canal; days 6-7 in Rome feature visits to the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps; days 9-10 in Florence walk to the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. No hiking is listed.
When does the trip run?
Planet Rail publishes no departure calendar in the evidence provided. Contact the operator to confirm available dates.

Similar journeys