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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Rome and Florence to Paris on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Rome to Paris via Florence with an overnight on the VSOE

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

Railbookers operates this 8-day independent rail vacation that begins in Rome and ends in Paris, traveling through Florence along the way. The first four days split evenly between Rome and Florence, with small-group tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, then the Accademia Gallery, Florence's Cathedral, and the Uffizi Gallery. On day 5, travelers board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, settle into a historic cabin, and are served a four-course dinner as the train runs overnight to Paris, arriving the next morning. The final two days in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, a Seine river cruise, and Louvre Museum tickets, with a two-day Hop-on Hop-off pass for getting around. Outside the included small-group tours, days are self-directed, and the one night aboard a named luxury train sets this apart from a standard city-to-city itinerary, suiting travelers who want a signature rail experience bookended by independent time in three cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica visit, along with a Moulin Rouge night, are listed as optional extras and are not included in the base price of this trip.
  • Louvre Museum tickets are included, but the operator's inclusion note states the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
  • Railbookers lists 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities for this trip; which hotel you receive in Rome and Florence depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The evidence provided does not list specific current departure dates for this trip; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Your Journey Begins in Rome

    Welcome to Rome! You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel to check-in for a 2-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Join a small group and skip the line into the Colosseum, then the Roman Forum.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    Make your way to the station for your high-speed train to Florence. From here make your way to the hotel for a 2-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Florence

    Florence

    A small group morning tour visiting the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David, then Florence's Cathedral. In the afternoon a 90min tour of the Uffizi Gallery.

  5. Day 5railovernight: VSOE

    The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then make your way to the station for a departure to remember! Once onboard and settled into your cabin, enjoy a spectacular 4-course dinner.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Paris

    Arrival in Paris

    The train pulls into Paris in the late morning, and you are driven to your hotel for a 2-night stay. Explore the city with your included Hop-on Hop-off pass.

  7. Day 7overnight: Paris

    Paris

    A skip-the-line tour to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a one-hour scenic Seine cruise, and tickets to the Louvre Museum.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Paris

    Following breakfast and if time allows enjoy some last-minute sightseeing before making your way to the airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small group skips the line into the Colosseum, then visits the Roman Forum.
  • Day 4A small-group tour visits the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David and Florence's Cathedral, followed by a 90-minute tour of the Uffizi Gallery.
  • Day 5Travelers board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express into a historic cabin and are served a four-course dinner en route to Paris.
  • Day 6The train arrives in Paris in the late morning, and the city is explored with an included two-day Hop-on Hop-off pass.
  • Day 7A skip-the-line tour reaches the top of the Eiffel Tower, followed by a one-hour scenic Seine cruise and Louvre Museum tickets.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Florence
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 1 night in a historic cabin onboard the VSOE from Florence to Paris
  • Small group skip the line tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome
  • Small-group city tour in Florence including the Accademia Gallery and Florence Duomo
  • Small group afternoon skip the line tour of the Uffizi Gallery
  • Skip the Line Eiffel Tower tickets
  • 2 Day Paris hop-on hop-off pass
  • Scenic Paris River Cruise
  • Louvre Museum tickets (closed on Tuesdays)
  • Private transfer from airport to hotel in Rome
  • Private transfer from station to hotel in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, including a high-speed train from Rome to Florence and a night in a historic cabin onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Florence to Paris.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation; small-group tours are included for specific sights in each city, with the rest of the time self-directed.
Is there an overnight train?
Yes. Day 5 is spent onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a historic cabin, with a four-course dinner served en route, arriving in Paris the next morning.
Is the Vatican included?
No. A Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica visit is listed as an optional extra, not included in the base package.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities for the Rome and Florence stays, with sample choices including the Kolbe Hotel Rome, the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, the Anglo American Hotel Florence, and the Cellai Boutique Hotel.
What is included in Paris?
Two nights hotel with breakfast, a private transfer from the station, Skip the Line Eiffel Tower tickets, a 2-day hop-on hop-off pass, a scenic Seine river cruise, and Louvre Museum tickets (the Louvre is closed Tuesdays).

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