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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Venice, Florence, and Rome via the Alps from London

Independent 8-day rail trip from London to Rome via Geneva

Illustration of Grand Venice, Florence, and Rome via the Alps from London

Railbookers operates this independent, 8-day rail vacation from London to Rome, opening with Eurostar to Paris and a connecting train to Geneva for a one-night stop beside Lake Geneva. From there, Trenitalia carries travelers into Italy for two nights in Venice, where an included gondola tour and walking tour come with Doge's Palace and Golden Basilica entrance. A high-speed train continues to Florence for two nights, including an Uffizi Gallery tour and a city tour taking in the Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio. The trip closes with two nights in Rome, including an Imperial Rome tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum and a separate Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel tour. Because it's independent rather than escorted, the trip suits travelers who want the Alpine-to-Italy rail route and headline sights arranged in advance but prefer to fill the rest of each day themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are chosen from 30 options across price tiers and cities (for example the InterContinental London Park Lane or the Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix in Geneva), so which property you get depends on the tier and city you pick.
  • This is an independent tour: outside the included walking and city tours, there's no guide with you between London, Geneva, Venice, Florence and Rome.
  • The evidence gives no current departure dates; confirm availability and pricing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Geneva

    London to Geneva

    Board Eurostar in London to Paris and then change trains to Geneva. When you arrive in Geneva, check into your hotel for a one-night stay. Stroll along Lake Geneva, watch the Jet d'Eau, visit the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and Place du Bourg-de-Four, and enjoy dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Geneva to Venice

    After enjoying breakfast, board Trenitalia from Geneva to unforgettable Venice. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Use your included gondola tour to cruise along the scenic canals, wander the cobblestone streets, or relax at an outdoor trattoria.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Have breakfast and then continue enjoying the sights, sounds, flavors and experiences of Venice. Enjoy your included walking tour and skip-the-line access to Doge's Palace and the Golden Basilica.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence

    Venice to Florence

    Have breakfast before checking out of your hotel and catching a high-speed train to Florence, Tuscany's capital. Use your included Uffizi Gallery tour to admire the works of Raphael, da Vinci, Botticelli and Caravaggio. Sample authentic Tuscan cuisine in the evening.

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Have breakfast and then use your included Florence city tour to visit the Piazza della Signoria, Loggia de' Lanzi, Fountain of Neptune, and Ponte Vecchio. Have lunch in San Lorenzo, maybe a Florentine "panino con lampredotto" sandwich.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Rome

    Florence to Rome

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast and catch the train directly to Rome. Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and explore during an Imperial Rome tour of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

  7. Day 7overnight: Rome

    Rome

    After breakfast this morning, spend the whole day unearthing the ancient and modern wonders of the Italian capital, including a skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Wander to the Trevi Fountain in the evening.

  8. Day 8rail

    Your Journey Ends in Rome

    Check out of your hotel in Rome this morning and continue your onward journey. Speak to one of our Rail Vacation Specialists about extending your journey, perhaps by traveling south through Italy to the Italian Riviera and Naples by rail.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar carries travelers from London to Paris, changing trains for Geneva, where the evening includes a stroll along Lake Geneva to see the Jet d'Eau.
  • Day 2An included gondola tour cruises Venice's canals after the train journey in from Geneva.
  • Day 4An included Uffizi Gallery tour in Florence takes in works by Raphael, da Vinci, Botticelli and Caravaggio.
  • Day 6An Imperial Rome tour covers the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.
  • Day 7A skip-the-line tour covers the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, with an evening visit to the Trevi Fountain.

Included

  • Rail travel in Standard Premier/First class throughout
  • 1 night stay with breakfast in Geneva
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Venice
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Florence
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Rome
  • Walking tour, Doge's Palace entrance and gondola tour in Venice
  • Uffizi Gallery tour in Florence
  • Florence City Tour
  • Imperial Rome tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum
  • Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel tour in Rome

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, rail travel throughout in Standard Premier/First class is included, using Eurostar from London, TGV Lyria and SNCF through France and Switzerland, and Trenitalia within Italy.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's independent, run by Railbookers, with guided walking and city tours included in Venice, Florence and Rome.
What hotels are used?
A choice of 30 accommodation options across the five stop cities, for example the InterContinental London Park Lane or the Hotel Cornavin Geneva.
Which cities does the trip visit?
London, Geneva, Venice, Florence and Rome over 8 days, with one night in Geneva and two nights each in Venice, Florence and Rome.
What sightseeing is included?
A Venice walking tour, Doge's Palace entrance and gondola tour, an Uffizi Gallery tour and Florence city tour, and an Imperial Rome tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum plus a Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel tour.
How much walking is involved?
Walking tours in Venice, Florence and Rome plus skip-the-line museum and monument visits; no hikes or high-altitude activity are described.

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