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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Rome via Switzerland

Seven-day rail loop from London to Rome via Swiss Alps and Bern

Illustration of Rome via Switzerland

Tailor Made Rail's seven-day Rome via Switzerland itinerary takes you from London to Italy and back by train, covering France, Switzerland, and the Italian Alps. The journey opens with Eurostar to Paris and a TGV connection through the Strasbourg corridor to Basel, then a local train to Bern, where you overnight in the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town perched on the Aare River. Day two brings the highlight: a scenic crossing of the Swiss and Italian Alps, skirting Lake Thun and Lake Maggiore, arriving in Rome for four nights of independent exploration. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel are yours to discover at your own pace. On the return, you board a train south to Turin for one night before the TGV and Eurostar carry you back to London. All standard-class rail fares, seat reservations, hotel breakfasts, and travel documentation are included. This trip suits first-time rail travelers drawn to Europe's flagship trains and couples seeking a relaxed pace with substantial time in one major city.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel selections list 'or similar' alternatives, meaning the final property depends on availability and season
  • The from-price (GBP 1069) applies to low season (November to February); high season (March to October) starts at GBP 1249 per person
  • The itinerary shows Rome to Turin on Day 6 via Milan; the highlights mention 'Nice on the French Riviera' but the detailed day-by-day does not confirm a Nice stop

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Bern

    London to Bern

    Leave London St Pancras on a Eurostar to Paris, connecting to the TGV to Basel via Strasbourg, then a local train to Swiss capital Bern. Check in at the Sorell Hotel Ador (or similar) for an overnight stay. Bern has a UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town on a loop of the Aare River.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Bern to Rome via the Alps

    A free morning to explore Bern's Old Town, the Rose Garden views, or a pavement café. After lunch, a scenic journey via Lake Thun, through the Swiss and Italian Alps and around Lake Maggiore to Milan, changing for Rome. Check in at The Guardian Hotel (or similar) for a 4-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Rome combines 2,000-year-old monuments with contemporary culture - the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Castel Sant'Angelo (commissioned by Emperor Hadrian around 123 AD), plus the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Piazza Navona.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Rome combines 2,000-year-old monuments with contemporary culture - the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Castel Sant'Angelo (commissioned by Emperor Hadrian around 123 AD), plus the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Piazza Navona.

  5. Day 5overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Rome combines 2,000-year-old monuments with contemporary culture - the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Castel Sant'Angelo (commissioned by Emperor Hadrian around 123 AD), plus the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Piazza Navona.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Turin

    Rome to Turin

    A leisurely breakfast before a return train service speeding up through Italy to Turin. Check in at the Starhotels Majestic (or similar) for an overnight stay.

  7. Day 7rail

    Turin to London

    A direct TGV train from Turin to Paris, arriving into Gare de Lyon, then across to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Eurostar departs London St Pancras, connecting through Paris and Basel to reach Bern, where the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town sits on a loop of the Aare River
  • Day 2Day 2: The scenic journey crosses Lake Thun, through the Swiss and Italian Alps, and around Lake Maggiore to Milan and Rome
  • Day 3Days 3-5: Four nights based in Rome to visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Castel Sant'Angelo, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 6 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail includes all rail journeys in standard class, from Eurostar through France and Switzerland to Italy, with seat reservations where required.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (London to Paris), TGV (Paris to Basel), local trains (Basel to Bern), and regional or intercity trains through the Alps to Milan and Rome, returning via Turin and Paris.
What accommodation is included?
Six nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast: one night in Bern (Sorell Hotel Ador or similar), four nights in Rome (The Guardian Hotel or similar), and one night in Turin (Starhotels Majestic or similar).
How much time do I have in Rome?
Four full days and nights in Rome, from the afternoon of Day 2 through the morning of Day 6.
Can I upgrade to First Class?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail offers an upgrade to First Class on all rail journeys for GBP 150 per person.
When does this trip run?
Low season prices apply November to February; high season (March to October) pricing is available. Contact Tailor Made Rail for current departure dates.

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