Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Swiss Mountains & Italian Lakes
First-Class escorted rail tour of Swiss lakes, mountains and Italy's Lake Como
10 daysfrom $5,608
80% rail
Planet Rail · Tailor-made escorted rail holiday
Venice at Christmas by First Class Rail
Celebrate Christmas in Venice with a magical first-class rail journey and witness twinkling lights, festive charm and timeless Italian beauty.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Zurich
By rail to Switzerland
Depart from London St Pancras International on the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, enjoying included drinks and light meal. Travel through Kent and France, arriving at Gare du Nord. Private taxi transfer to Gare de Lyon, then board the TGV through north-east France into Switzerland. Arrive in Zurich and stroll across the River Limmat to the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).
Meals: Light meal on Eurostar
- Day 2railovernight: Venice
Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Venice
Optional morning stroll around Zurich, visiting the Old Town, Grossmünster, Fraumünster, Predigerkirche, St Peterkirche and Bahnhofstrasse. Board the Euro City train from Zurich along the Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and Gotthard Base Tunnel (world's longest tunnel), across the Swiss border through the Italian Lakes to Milan. Change trains for the Eurostar Italia service to Venice. Arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia station and transfer by private water taxi to the hotel in the Cannaregio district.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Venice
Venice at Christmas
Free day to explore Venice at Christmas. Stroll along canals, across ornate stone footbridges and through campi (squares). Enjoy Christmas markets, gondola rides along the Grand Canal, and Christmas concerts in the city's basilicas. Optional boat trip to the islands of Murano and Burano.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Venice
Venice at Christmas
Second full free day in Venice. Continue exploring the city's unique Christmas atmosphere, visiting St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. Optional excursions available.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Venice
Venice at Christmas
Third full free day in Venice. Further exploration of the city and its surroundings, including optional trips to the lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: Montreux
Venice to Lake Geneva
Transfer by water taxi to Venice station. Board the Eurostar Italia service back through Italian countryside to Milan, then continue by Euro City service through dramatic mountain scenery of snow-topped peaks and crystal clear rivers and lakes to Montreux. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) with splendid views across Lake Geneva.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7rail
Free-time in Montreux – Montreux to London – Homeward bound
Morning free to wander along the shores of Lake Geneva. Optional short journey by trolley bus to the Château de Chillon (payable locally). Return to Montreux station for the Inter Regio service along Lake Geneva to Lausanne, then TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon. Private taxi transfer to Gare du Nord. Board Eurostar Standard Premier service back to London St Pancras International.
Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on Eurostar
Included
- First Class rail travel from London to Venice and return via Zurich and Montreux
- Standard Premier service on Eurostar (Eurostar's 1st class for leisure travellers) including drinks and light meal
- 6 nights' hotel accommodation in 4-star hotels with breakfast each day
- 4 nights in a double room at one of: Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, Hotel Bucintoro, Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze, Ruzzini Palace, Canal Grande, Locanda Orseolo or Hotel Al Ponte Antico in Venice
- Overnight stay in double room at Hotel Helmhaus, Zurich
- Overnight stay in double room at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux
- Private taxi transfers in Paris (Gare du Nord to/from Gare de Lyon)
- Private water taxi transfers in Venice (note: water taxi transfer not included to Canal Grande Hotel as it is only 400 yards from the station)
Not included
- Gondola rides (available as optional extra)
- Visits to islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello (available as optional extra)
- Entry to Château de Chillon, Montreux (payable locally)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
