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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Paris and Rome on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Paris to Rome with an overnight ride on the Orient Express

Illustration of Paris and Rome on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Railbookers operates this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation connecting Paris and Rome, built around a single night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The first two nights are spent in Paris, where included sightseeing covers a skip-the-line Eiffel Tower visit, a Seine River cruise, Louvre Museum tickets, and a gastronomic walking tour of Montmartre on day 2. On day 3, a private transfer takes travelers to the station to board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, described as an icon of art deco design, where a steward shows guests to their private cabin for the overnight journey to Rome. Day 4 brings coffee and pastries in the cabin and a three-course lunch in the dining carriages before arrival in Rome for a three-night stay, filled with a private Colosseum and Forum tour and a small-group food tour through the historic center. This trip suits travelers drawn to a genuine luxury train experience rather than budget rail travel, with independent movement backed by Rail Experts support.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel list includes 12 accommodation options across Paris and Rome; the specific hotel depends on the tier and city selected at booking.
  • Evening suggestions such as a night at the Moulin Rouge and an evening stroll in Rome appear in the itinerary text but are not on the included inclusions list.
  • The day 7 itinerary references a driver taking travelers to the airport for their flight home; a return flight is not listed among the included inclusions, so it should be confirmed separately.
  • The evidence pack lists no current departure dates for this itinerary; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Paris

    Paris

    Welcome to Paris! On arrival head to your hotel for a two-night stay, then get out to explore the city with your included Hop-on Hop-off pass. In the evening why not speak to any of our knowledgeable Rail Experts about a night at the world-famous Moulin Rouge?

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    It's a day to remember today, as you explore the very best the city has to offer. Included for you is a skip-the-line tour to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, a one-hour scenic, seine cruise, and tickets to the world-famous Louvre Museum. In the morning, make your way to the iconic 18th arrondissement for a wonderful food themed tour of Montmartre. Your guide will share the history behind the area, local shops, and your food selections; as they purchase the best cheeses, fine wines, delicious, cured meats, as well as mouth-watering crepes and fresh pastries. You also have another day of exploring the city with your handy hop-on hop-off pass.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Paris and The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Continue to take advantage of your inclusive pass today, be it one of Paris' fabulous galleries or a scenic cruise along the river Seine. Later make your way back to your hotel where a driver will meet you and take you to station where you will step aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. An icon of art deco design, the service onboard is second to none. Your steward will escort you to your sumptuous private cabin, where you can dress to impress for dinner. The sumptuous restaurant cars are simply breath-taking and following the culinary delight that is the seasonal Table D'hote why not retire to the Bar Car for cocktails with like-minded passengers. For the Night Owls there is a midnight brunch available to feast on, and the Pianist will play on until the last passenger retires to their private cabin for a comfortable night's sleep.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Rome

    The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Rome

    Be woken by fresh coffee and pastries being delivered to your cabin and watch the beautiful scenery pass by as the train makes its way through Italy. A three-course lunch is served in the dining carriages before your train arrives in Rome. Bid farewell to your fellow passengers and the train staff and check-in at your hotel for a three-night stay. In the evening why not take a stroll and admire the city at night. The Trevi Fountain is particularly beautiful at night, and the Piazza Navona is a very special place for dinner.

  5. Day 5overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Make your way over to the Colosseum this morning to meet your guide, who will give you an all-encompassing tour of the world's greatest amphitheatre. From here the tour continues to the Forum - the centre of Rome's political life from the very beginning of its foundation. Your guide will bring the ancient world to life with their knowledge and commentary about the noteworthy buildings still visible today. In the afternoon why not relax and watch the world go by with a classic Campari Spritz or take a stroll around the gorgeous Borghese Gardens.

  6. Day 6overnight: Rome

    Rome

    A day to remember today, as you and a very small group embark on a locally led tour in the heart of the historical city. Eat freshly prepared pizzas, homemade pastas and Suppli (risotto balls), the finest cheeses and wines, authentic cannoli, and drink the best coffee in town. Wander through historical monuments, and picturesque markets, discover beautiful restaurants and places only the locals know about, and top it all off with a delicious gelato.

  7. Day 7rail

    Your Journey Ends in Rome

    Following breakfast at your hotel a driver will whisk you to the airport for your flight home. Please do speak to any of our Rail Experts should you like to extend your travels elsewhere, or perhaps even return by rail!

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A skip-the-line tour to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a scenic Seine cruise, Louvre Museum tickets, and a gastronomic tour of Montmartre's 18th arrondissement.
  • Day 3A driver transfers travelers to the station to board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, an art deco train where a steward escorts guests to their private cabin.
  • Day 4Coffee and pastries are delivered to the cabin as the train crosses Italy, followed by a three-course lunch in the dining carriages before arrival in Rome.
  • Day 5A guide leads a tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, once the centre of Rome's political life.
  • Day 6A small-group, locally led food tour through Rome's historic center, with fresh pizza, homemade pasta, suppli, cheeses, wines, and cannoli.

Included

  • 1 night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Rome
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • Skip the Line Eiffel Tower tickets
  • 2 Day Paris hop-on hop-off pass
  • Scenic Paris River Cruise
  • Louvre Museum tickets (closed on Tuesdays)
  • Small Group gastronomic tour of Montmartre
  • Private tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum in Rome
  • Small Group gastronomic tour of Rome
  • Private transfer from hotel to station in Paris
  • Private transfer from station to hotel in Rome
  • Private transfer from hotel to airport in Rome

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes one night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Rome, plus hotel accommodation with breakfast in both Paris and Rome.
Is this a guided tour or independent travel?
It is independent travel with Rail Experts support, though several sightseeing elements are guided, including the Montmartre gastronomic tour and the private Colosseum and Forum tour.
Which train is used?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, running the Paris to Rome route as one included overnight leg of the trip.
Is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express an overnight sleeper train?
Yes. The itinerary describes a private cabin, a steward, coffee and pastries delivered in the morning, and a three-course lunch served in the dining carriages during the overnight journey.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 12 accommodation options across Paris and Rome, including the Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra, the Kolbe Hotel Rome, and the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace.
What is not included?
The day 7 itinerary mentions a flight home from Rome, which does not appear on the included inclusions list.

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