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Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

London to Venice & Venice to Amsterdam on the Orient Express

Luxury rail: London flights to Venice, three nights, then Orient Express to Amsterdam

Illustration of London to Venice & Venice to Amsterdam on the Orient Express

Planet Rail operates a seven-day luxury rail journey that pairs Venice with the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You depart London from Gatwick or Heathrow on a British Airways flight to Venice Marco Polo, where a private water taxi collects you for three nights at the four-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente. Days two and three are yours to explore Venice at leisure: wander St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge, glide along the Grand Canal by gondola, or take a short boat ride to the glass-blowing workshops of Murano and the lace-making island of Burano. On day four, your water taxi carries you to Venice Santa Lucia station, where you board the orient-express for an overnight journey to Amsterdam. A personal steward shows you to your twin compartment; breakfast is served in your cabin, and a three-course lunch awaits in the restored restaurant car as the train travels through Paris and northward. You arrive in Amsterdam on day five and spend two nights at the four-star Hotel Estherea, with day six free to explore the city's markets, museums, and neighbourhoods. Day seven concludes with Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal back to London St Pancras.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of 5,295 GBP is for two people travelling together; single occupancy pricing is not stated.
  • Amsterdam sightseeing such as canal trips and the Anne Frank House are not included and are payable locally.
  • The itinerary specifies British Airways economy flights; the train and hotel portions are the premium elements of this package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Venice

    London Gatwick or Heathrow to Venice

    Your holiday begins as you check-in for your flight from London Gatwick or Heathrow airport to Venice Marco Polo airport. On arrival at Venice Marco Polo airport make your way to the jetty for your private water taxi transfer. Your water taxi will transfer you in the best possible style to your hotel for 3 nights, the charming, friendly and highly-rated Hotel Ai Mori d’Oriente (4 star), enjoying a quiet location just 10-15 minutes’ walk from the Rialto Bridge.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Step out in Venice and allow this unique and captivating city to carry where it will. Enjoy Venice, at dusk and after dark when all the crowds have gone home. From St. Mark’s Square to the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal to a visit inside the stunning Doges Palace, feel yourself unwind as you wander amid the myriad of canals along blissfully traffic-free alleyways and campi (squares).

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    A second full day in Venice. You have plenty of time to discover the city’s luminous quality which emanates from the colours of its painted palazzo, ornate stone bridges and Byzantine basilicas all reflected against the tapestry of canals and lagoons. A short boat ride will lead you to pretty islands on the lagoon, including Murano, home of glass-blowing and colourful Burano, where lace and linen abound.

  4. Day 4railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Venice & the Orient Express

    This morning after breakfast your water taxi takes you to Venice Santa Lucia 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 enjoy a three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the comfort of your cabin gazing at the beautiful passing scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps, or chatting with fellow travellers in the Bar Car. Afternoon tea is served in your cabin. After further relaxation 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. When you are ready, retire to your compartment, which has now been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Amsterdam

    The Orient Express through Paris to Amsterdam

    Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you. All too soon the train pulls into Paris Gare De l’Est for a short period to replenish supplies, giving you a chance to stretch your legs before continuing on towards Amsterdam. As the train journeys north, take time to enjoy today’s delicious lunch. Perhaps take the opportunity to browse the onboard boutique for elegant gifts and exclusive mementos. Before arriving in Amsterdam, your steward serves a selection of indulgent pastries with tea and coffee in your cabin. All too soon you arrive in Amsterdam and it is time to disembark and start the third and final leg of your holiday discovering the beautiful canals and sights of the Netherlands’ capital. Make your way to the very highly-rated Hotel Estherea (4 star) in the city as the next days’ base from which to explore.

  6. Day 6overnight: Amsterdam

    Exploring Amsterdam

    Amsterdam boasts colourful and lively markets, including the pretty flower market or you might like to stroll around the attractive Vondelpark. Perhaps visit the Anne Frank House (payable locally) or seek out some of Amsterdam’s lesser-known and interesting quarters such as the Jordaan or the Pijp. The Museum Quarter gives you an excellent choice of cultural highlights, including the fabulous Van Gogh museum. You might prefer to simply amble across the criss-cross of bridges and canals from bar to café and soak up Amsterdam’s truly relaxing atmosphere.

  7. Day 7rail

    Farewell to Amsterdam and homeward bound

    Enjoy some final sights in Amsterdam before making your way to Centraal station to herald the start of your journey home as you join the Eurostar back to London. Sit back and relax with a light meal and drink as the train reaches speeds of up to 186 mph before your arrival into St Pancras International and the final leg of your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Wander Venice after dusk when crowds have departed, from St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge and through traffic-free alleyways along canals.
  • Day 3Day 3: A short boat ride visits the lagoon islands of Murano, home to glass-blowing, and Burano, known for lace and linen.
  • Day 4Day 4: Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Venice Santa Lucia station; your steward shows you to your private cabin and serves a three-course lunch in a restored restaurant car.
  • Day 5Day 5: Travel north through Paris Gare de l'Est with breakfast served in your cabin, lunch enjoyed as the train journeys toward Amsterdam.

Included

  • British Airways economy flights from London to Venice
  • 3 nights’ B&B in a classic room at the very highly-rated Hotel Ai Mori d’Oriente (4 star) in Venice
  • Private water taxi transfers in Venice
  • An overnight journey from Venice to Amsterdam in a twin compartment on the legendary Orient Express with all meals on board
  • 2 nights’ B&B in a classic room at the highly-rated Hotel Estherea (4 star) in Amsterdam
  • A private taxi transfer in Paris
  • Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal back to London St Pancras

Not included

  • Amsterdam sightseeing such as Dutch barge canal trips and the Anne Frank House (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes an overnight journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Amsterdam in a twin/double compartment, with all meals on board. Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal back to London St Pancras is also included.
What hotels are included?
Three nights at the four-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente in Venice and two nights at the four-star Hotel Estherea in Amsterdam, both on a bed and breakfast basis in classic rooms.
How much walking is involved?
Venice and Amsterdam days are independent and unguided, so you walk at your own pace exploring the cities. Water taxi transfers in Venice and taxi transfers in Paris avoid heavy luggage carrying, but moving through the cities involves typical urban walking.
Is the trip escorted or independent?
Cabin stewards attend you on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. In Venice and Amsterdam, exploration is independent. British Airways flights and Eurostar are arranged by the operator.
What is not included?
Amsterdam sightseeing such as Dutch barge canal trips and visits to attractions like the Anne Frank House are payable locally.

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