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Railbookers · Escorted rail holiday

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice, and the Famous Trains of Switzerland

Escorted luxury journey on the VSOE, Bernina, Glacier and GoldenPass trains

Illustration of The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice, and the Famous Trains of Switzerland

Railbookers runs this thirteen-day escorted rail holiday across France, Italy and Switzerland, starting and ending in Paris. After two nights in Paris, including fast-track tickets to the Eiffel Tower, travelers board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for an overnight journey in a private Historic Cabin, arriving in Venice for three nights of guided sightseeing, a private gondola ride, and a boat tour to Murano, Burano and Torcello. From Venice, the trip strings together three more of the world's most scenic trains: the Bernina Express in First Class to St Moritz, the Glacier Express in Excellence Class to Zermatt with a day trip to see the Matterhorn from Gornergrat, and the GoldenPass in Prestige Class to Montreux, where a free day comes with an included Swiss Pass. The return to Paris runs past the Jura Mountains. With every leg booked in the top available class, this is built for travelers who want the classic European rail journeys in their most luxurious form.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 30 accommodation options across the trip's cities and tiers rather than one fixed hotel per stop, from the Holiday Inn Paris Gare de Lyon Bastille to the Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera.
  • Despite being an escorted tour, day 11 in Montreux is unguided: travelers use an included Swiss Pass to choose their own activities, such as a lake cruise, Chateau de Chillon, or trips to Gruyere and Broc.
  • No current departure dates are listed in this itinerary; confirm scheduling with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to Paris! You will be met by a personal driver and taken to your hotel for a two-night stay. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Fast-track tickets to the very top of the Eiffel Tower are included for you today, from where you have amazing views across the city. After, why not enjoy a cruise along the Seine River to admire Paris' famous bridges, or perhaps a visit to The Louvre Museum to come face to face with the Mona Lisa?

  3. Day 3railovernight: onboard the VSOE

    Overnight Onboard The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    A car will whisk you to the station today, where you will begin the journey of a lifetime aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express bound for Venice. The train is a legend in motion, and your private cabin of polished wood and plush upholstery epitomizes golden age opulence. Following an exquisite dinner, paired with exceptional wines, why not relax for a night-cap in Bar Car '3674' and celebrate late into the night with other guests.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Venice

    Venice

    Your steward will serve you a light breakfast in your cabin this morning, then relax onboard whilst watching the wonderful scenery pass by as the train makes its way south. A light lunch is served before crossing the famous bridge to the islands of Venice, as once you have disembarked a boat will take you directly to your hotel for a three-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Venice

    Venice

    After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour through the heart of Venice, taking in iconic sites such as Piazza San Marco, the Clock Tower, and Marco Polo's house. Then explore the Doge's Palace and continue to the breathtaking St. Mark's Basilica. Later, enjoy a private gondola ride along the canals. For a memorable evening, consider stopping at Harry's Bar for a Bellini where the iconic cocktail was first created.

  6. Day 6overnight: Venice

    Venice

    After a leisurely breakfast make your way to the meeting point for a small group tour by boat, to the famous islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Discover the amazing glass masters of Murano. Next, it's on to the fisherman's village of Burano, then over to ancient Torcello, where the very first Venetians settled.

  7. Day 7railovernight: St Moritz

    The Bernina Express – First Class

    A private boat will deliver you to the station safely in time for a morning train to Milan. Change here for the short hop to Tirano, then strap in for some world-class scenery along the Bernina line into Switzerland. This journey is often listed as one of the world's most scenic. On arrival check-in for an overnight stay in St Moritz.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Zermatt

    The Glacier Express – Excellence Class

    Today it's another world-famous red train, and this time it's the Slowest Express Train in the World! The Glacier Express offers breath-taking views of mountains, glaciers, and valleys as it winds its way through some of Switzerland's most beautiful landscapes. The Excellence Class offers a level of comfort and luxury that is unmatched.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Zermatt

    The Gornergrat Day Trip

    Ride the famous cogwheel train to the top of the Gornergrat today and soak up the very best views of the marvelous Matterhorn. The restaurant at the top services some wonderful Swiss specialties. Enjoy a short hike, or simply ride the train back down to Zermatt for the evening.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Montreux

    The GoldenPass – Prestige Class

    Soak up the scenery back through the valley to Visp, then onto Interlaken this morning. Here step aboard the glorious GoldenPass train and enjoy the luxury of Prestige Class on the direct train to Montreux. The leather seats in Prestige class can be rotated so you can watch the scenery fly by, and the champagne and caviar are a wonderful treat.

  11. Day 11overnight: Montreux

    Montreux

    Enjoy a day exploring the glorious Swiss Riviera today, thanks to your included Swiss Pass. Be it a cruise on Lake Geneva, visit the iconic Chateau de Chillon, or perhaps take a trip to the pretty village of Gruyere – home of the famous cheese, and Broc – home to the world-famous Cailler chocolate factory.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Paris

    Paris

    Take the train to Geneva, then speed past the Jura Mountain en-route to Paris. Here you will be met by a driver and taken to your hotel for final night's stay. Why not celebrate your journey with a dinner cruise along the Seine?

  13. Day 13

    Your Journey Ends in Paris

    You will again be met at your hotel by a private driver, who will safely deliver you to the airport on time for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Boarding the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Paris for an overnight journey, with an exquisite dinner and a nightcap in Bar Car '3674'.
  • Day 5A guided walking tour of Venice taking in Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica, followed by a private gondola ride.
  • Day 7The Bernina Express in First Class through the Swiss Alps, often listed as one of the world's most scenic rail journeys.
  • Day 8The Glacier Express in Excellence Class, called the 'Slowest Express Train in the World,' with views of mountains, glaciers and valleys.
  • Day 9The cogwheel train to Gornergrat for views of the Matterhorn, with the option of a short hike or riding back down.

Included

  • First-class (where possible) rail travel as per the itinerary
  • Historic Cabin on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice
  • Bernina Express reservations from Tirano to St Moritz
  • Excellence Class onboard the Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt
  • Prestige Class on the GoldenPass from Interlaken to Montreux
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Venice
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in St Moritz
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Montreux
  • Walking tour of Venice including Doges Palace and St Marks Basilica
  • Private gondola ride in Venice
  • Shared Tour of Murano, Burano, and Torcello Islands from Venice
  • Day trip on the Gornergrat railway
  • Station to hotel and hotel to station transfers in Paris
  • Airport to hotel and hotel to airport transfers in Paris
  • Station to hotel and hotel to station boat transfers in Venice

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. First-class rail travel (where possible) is included throughout, built around four named trains: the VSOE, Bernina Express, Glacier Express and GoldenPass.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's escorted, with private drivers for transfers and guided tours in Venice; one day in Montreux is left free with an included Swiss Pass.
Which trains does the trip use?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Paris to Venice, Historic Cabin), Bernina Express (Tirano to St Moritz, First Class), Glacier Express (St Moritz to Zermatt, Excellence Class), and GoldenPass (Interlaken to Montreux, Prestige Class).
What's included in Venice?
A walking tour with the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica, a private gondola ride, and a shared boat tour of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
What hotels are included?
Hotels are chosen from 30 options across the trip's cities, such as the Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera and the Hotel Metropole Venice.
Is there any hiking involved?
Optional. The Gornergrat day trip offers a short hike, or you can simply ride the train back down to Zermatt.

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