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Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

London to Rome including the Venice Simplon Orient Express

London to Rome via the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in six days

Illustration of London to Rome including the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail's London to Rome journey centers on a night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, one of the world's most famous trains. Over six days and five nights, you depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Paris, step into the Orient Express's blue and gold Art Deco carriages, and travel in a private twin or double compartment to Rome, where a personal steward attends to you throughout. You sleep on board the first night, waking as the train passes through the Swiss Alps before descending to Italy. After three full days exploring Rome's Colosseum, Vatican, and Sistine Chapel on your own, you return northward by Eurostar Italia and EuroCity through Milan to Zurich, spend a final night there, and return to London by TGV and Eurostar. The package suits luxury travellers, couples, and rail enthusiasts seeking a classic European journey with five-star sleeper comfort and two four-star hotels.

What to know before you look closer

  • The outbound journey includes Standard Premier Class Eurostar (London to Paris); only the return leg from Paris to London is First Class.
  • Optional suite upgrades on the Orient Express require contact with the operator; the base rate includes a twin or double compartment.
  • The itinerary includes two full days of independent exploration in Rome; no guided tours or escorted activities are mentioned.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Travel to Paris & board the Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Your adventure begins at London St. Pancras, where you travel by First Class rail to Paris before boarding the world-famous Venice Simplon Orient Express, with its distinctive blue and gold carriages. Your own personal steward is on hand to attend to you throughout your Venice Simplon Orient Express holiday. Take the time to settle in to your comfortable private compartment, relax and admire the elaborate flourishes and spectacular marquetry of this elegant train, before dressing for dinner. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before making your way to one of the magnificent restaurant cars, where you will be served a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by skilled French chefs. Following dinner you may wish to enjoy a drink in the bar car, listening to the sound of the baby grand piano. By now your compartment has been transformed into a cosy bedroom, which you can retire to whenever you are ready.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Rome

    Breakfast is served in your compartment this morning at a time to suit you; be sure to admire the stunning views of the Swiss Alps as you start the day. You may wish to continue gazing out at the incredible scenery from your compartment, or perhaps spend the morning chatting to fellow guests over coffee. Later you enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch served in another of the beautiful restaurant cars. Perhaps visit the on-board boutique to purchase souvenirs, while away the hours in conversation or take it easy in your compartment and admire the superb views of Lake Lucerne and Lake Como. Afternoon tea is served in your compartment during the journey, then sit back and watch the world go by as you journey south to Rome and into Roma Termini station. Enter the Eternal city and make your way to your base for the next three nights, the well-located Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star).

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    At leisure in Rome

    Rome is truly one of the most thrilling and seductive cities in the world. Discover a feast of architectural wonders, fine art and indulgent dining seemingly around each corner on your two full days in the Eternal city. With an array of world renowned attractions including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Coliseum and Vatican city you will find your days filled with glorious sights before perhaps having a break with a ‘gelato’ in Piazza Navona or enjoying some time shopping on Via del Corso.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rome

    At leisure in Rome

    A second full day in the Eternal city. An attraction not to be missed is Michelangelo’s masterpiece, located in the Sistine Chapel. Alternatively, if you would like to sample some spectacular panoramic cityscape scenery, then make sure you take a trip to the top of St. Peter’s Cathedral.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zurich

    Through Switzerland and on to Zurich

    This morning head to the Roma Termini station. Here you are re-united with the rest of the world as you join the Eurostar Italia service for the First Class rail journey to Milan. In Milan you change trains and bid farewell to Italy as you connect with the Euro City service for the journey 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).

  6. Day 6rail

    Zurich to London - Homeward bound

    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 to board the TGV towards Paris 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 1Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris, stepping into its distinctive blue and gold carriages, and settle into your private compartment with a personal steward on hand.
  • Day 2Breakfast arrives in your compartment while the train climbs through the Swiss Alps; later, enjoy a three-course lunch in the restaurant car.
  • Day 3Spend a full day in Rome exploring the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and Pantheon, or visit the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo's masterpiece.
  • Day 5Travel by Eurostar Italia from Rome to Milan in First Class, then transfer to the EuroCity for the journey through Swiss countryside to lakeside Zurich.

Included

  • Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) from London to Paris
  • A twin/double compartment on the Orient Express from Paris to Rome
  • 3 nights’ B&B in a twin/double room at the Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star) in Rome
  • 1 night B&B in a twin/double room at the Hotel Glockenhof (4 star) in Zurich
  • First Class rail for the return journey via Zurich and Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris, a twin or double compartment on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Rome, Eurostar Italia from Rome to Milan, EuroCity from Milan to Zurich, and TGV plus Eurostar from Zurich back to London.
What accommodation is included?
Three nights at the four-star Boutique Hotel Liberty in Rome and one night at the four-star Hotel Glockenhof in Zurich, both with breakfast.
Is the trip escorted or independent?
A personal steward attends to you aboard the Orient Express. Rome and Zurich days are self-directed; no guided tours are mentioned.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (Standard Premier Class outbound), the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (private compartment), Eurostar Italia, EuroCity, TGV, and Eurostar return (First Class).
How much walking is involved?
Little beyond stations and transfers. Rome and Zurich offer optional sightseeing on foot; sites like St. Peter's Cathedral and Zurich's river and lake areas are walkable.
What is not included?
Meals and drinks beyond those served on trains or at hotel breakfast. Meals aboard the Orient Express are not itemized. Guided tours in Rome and Zurich are not included.

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