Search

Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday

Venice, Rome and Florence

Nine days by rail from Zurich through Venice, Rome, and Florence to Turin

Illustration of Venice, Rome and Florence

Tailor Made Rail operates this 9-day independent rail holiday linking three of Italy's most celebrated cities. Starting from Zurich, you travel by Eurostar and TGV to Venice via the Gotthard Base Tunnel through the Alps, then by train to Rome for two nights exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, and Trevi Fountain. A 90-minute train journey takes you north to Florence, where you spend two nights in the UNESCO-listed historic centre visiting the cathedral and Boboli Gardens. The final leg by train carries you to Turin, a city of royal palaces and world-class museums, before returning home via Paris. All eight nights include hotel stays with breakfast and standard-class rail fares. Because the tour is self-guided, you set the pace in each city with no scheduled group activities. This suits first-time rail travellers who want logistical support, history lovers, couples seeking unhurried multi-night stays, and independent explorers who prefer to navigate on their own.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels listed as 'or similar'; your final accommodation depends on availability and the tier selected at booking.
  • Rail fares from London are included only if you start the journey there; the itinerary also lists Zurich as a starting point, and pricing may differ.
  • No guided tours are included; the trip is entirely self-guided, requiring independent navigation of each city.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    London to Zurich

    Take the Eurostar in the morning from London to Paris Gare du Nord. Cross to the Gare de Lyon and catch a TGV Lyria service down through France and across the Swiss border to Zurich. Check in at the conveniently located Sorell Rütli Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice

    Venice via the Gotthard Route

    After breakfast, return to the station and catch a train via Milan to Venice. The journey from Zurich to Milan takes you along Lake Zurich, before plunging into the Gotthard Base Tunnel and emerging in the Italian-speaking Swiss region of Ticino. Cross the lagoon bridge onto Venice Island and arrive into Santa Lucia station in the early evening. You will have a 2-night stay at the Hotel Bisanzio (or similar).

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Visitors always gravitate towards St Mark's Square, the regal piazza that opens out onto the mouth of the Grand Canal and the Venetian Lagoon. Elsewhere, don't miss the art collection at the Accademia, or a boat ride to one of the other islands in the lagoon such as Murano or Burano.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Rome

    Rome

    Catch a train journey of just under 4 hours to Rome. Arrive in the mid-afternoon and settle into The Guardian Hotel (or similar) for a 2-night stay, before beginning your exploration.

  5. Day 5overnight: Rome

    Rome

    So many iconic landmarks to discover, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the ornately decorated St Peter's Cathedral and Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, where you can throw a coin to ensure your return.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    Leave the 'Cradle of Western Civilisation' and head north by train to Florence, a journey of just an hour and a half. You'll stay at the central Berchielli Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights.

  7. Day 7overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Florence is the stunning capital of Tuscany with a UNESCO World Heritage listed historic centre. Spend your free day soaking up the scenery and discovering famous sights including the magnificent cathedral and the Boboli Gardens.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Turin

    Florence to Turin

    After breakfast, make your way back to Santa Maria Novella station and board a train to Turin, where you have an overnight stay at the Starhotels Majestic (or similar). Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening discovering this historic city, with its royal palaces and world-class museums, including the largest Egyptian museum outside Cairo.

  9. Day 9rail

    Turin to London

    Make your way to Turin's international station Porta Susa and catch a high speed TGV service to Paris. A simple change of stations brings you to the terminal for the Eurostar at the Gare du Nord where you board your final journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The train from Zurich plunges into the Gotthard Base Tunnel, crossing the Alps before emerging into the Italian-speaking region of Ticino and continuing to Venice's Santa Lucia station.
  • Day 3Free day in Venice: visit St Mark's Square overlooking the Grand Canal and Venetian Lagoon, or take a boat ride to Murano or Burano.
  • Day 4Four-hour train journey from Venice to Rome, arriving mid-afternoon.
  • Day 6Ninety-minute train journey north from Rome to Florence through the Italian countryside.
  • Day 8Train from Florence to Turin, a historic city with royal palaces and museums including the largest Egyptian collection outside Cairo.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 8 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 the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations where required, between Zurich, Venice, Rome, Florence, and Turin, plus the Eurostar services to and from London if you start there.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is completely independent and self-guided. Tailor Made Rail provides hotel bookings, train tickets, and travel documentation, but no group guide or scheduled group activities.
What hotels are included?
The package includes 8 nights at hand-picked hotels: Sorell Rütli in Zurich (1 night), Hotel Bisanzio in Venice (2 nights), The Guardian Hotel in Rome (2 nights), Berchielli Hotel in Florence (2 nights), and Starhotels Majestic in Turin (1 night). Hotels listed as 'or similar' may vary at booking.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
Expect regular city walking to visit landmarks, museums, and piazzas. There are stairs at stations and hotels, luggage handling, and optional boat trips in Venice. This is not a high-activity trip.
When does this trip run?
Tailor Made Rail offers departures in both low season (November to March) from GBP 1,399 and high season (April to October) from GBP 1,699. Check their website for specific available dates.
Can I upgrade to first class?
Yes. First class upgrades for all rail journeys are available from GBP 200 per person. Hotel upgrades and extra nights or destinations can also be added.

Similar journeys