Great Rail Journeys · Luxury rail tour

Venice Simplon Orient Express and Classic Italian Cities

Venice Simplon Orient Express with Italian cities and Eurostar return

Illustration of Venice Simplon Orient Express and Classic Italian Cities

Great Rail Journeys operates this 8-day independent journey starting in London and ending in Paris, with the centerpiece being a night aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express, one of the world's most famous luxury trains. You fly from London to Rome, where you have two free days to wander the historic streets, visit the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, and relax in piazza cafes. On Day 3, you travel First Class by high-speed train through Tuscan countryside to Florence, then enjoy another free day exploring galleries and Renaissance architecture. Day 5 takes you by First Class train through vineyards and rolling hills to Venice, where you have a day to stroll canals and visit historic sites. On Day 7, the highlight arrives: you board the Venice Simplon Orient Express in its Historic Cabins for the overnight journey to Paris. Aboard, Great Rail Journeys includes a three-course lunch, a four-course dinner with wine pairing, breakfast with smoked salmon and caviar, and entertainment from a pianist. On Day 8, you take Eurostar back to London. The package suits luxury-seekers, couples, history lovers, and repeat rail travelers seeking one of the world's most celebrated train experiences combined with unhurried time in three major Italian cities.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £220 since 4 Jul, to £5,315.

£5,315£5,0954 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent tour; you organize your own sightseeing in Rome, Florence, and Venice using optional excursions available at a supplement.
  • Hotel options vary by city and tier selected; your final accommodation depends on your choice within the 4-star or 5-star tiers offered.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Getting to Rome

    Flight from London to Rome (regional flights available), with a private transfer to your chosen hotel on arrival.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    A free day to wander Rome's historic streets, visit the Trevi Fountain and other monuments, or book an optional excursion at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Florence

    Rome to Florence

    High-speed train from Rome through the Tuscan countryside to Florence, just under two hours, with transfer to your chosen hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Florence

    Florence

    A free day in Florence to explore its galleries and Tuscan cuisine, or book an optional excursion at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Venice

    Florence to Venice

    High-speed train from Florence through Tuscany and the Emilia-Romagna wine region to Venice, just over two hours, with transfer to your chosen hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Venice

    Venice

    A free day to explore Venice's squares, bridges and canals, or book an optional excursion at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Venice Simplon Orient Express

    A free morning in Venice before boarding the restored 1920s carriages of the Venice Simplon Orient Express. Enjoy an elegant three-course lunch and a four-course dinner in the restaurant cars, paired with wines by the onboard sommelier, followed by a pianist in the bar car.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Paris to London

    Breakfast in your cabin or a restaurant car, including smoked salmon and caviar, before arriving in Paris and catching the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive in Rome by flight from London and transfer to your 4-star or 5-star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
  • Day 3Board a high-speed train from Rome to Florence, traveling just under two hours through Tuscan countryside.
  • Day 5Travel by high-speed train from Florence to Venice over just over two hours, passing through the wine region of Emilia-Romagna.
  • Day 7Board the Venice Simplon Orient Express in Venice; dine on a three-course lunch and four-course dinner with wine pairing in the restaurant cars while the Italian countryside passes by, and enjoy entertainment from an onboard pianist.
  • Day 8Take breakfast in your cabin or the restaurant car as the train arrives in Paris, then catch Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

Included

  • 6 nights hotel accommodation (Bed and Breakfast) in 4-star hotels
  • 1 night on the Venice Simplon Orient Express in Historic Cabins
  • First Class Rail in Italy
  • Eurostar Plus Class between Paris and London
  • Flight from London to Rome

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £5,315 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $7,180 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes your flight from London to Rome, First Class rail from Rome to Florence, First Class rail from Florence to Venice, one night in a Historic Cabin aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express from Venice to Paris, and Standard Premier Eurostar from Paris to London St Pancras.
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is independent. You have free days to explore Rome, Florence, and Venice on your own. Optional excursions such as Roman panoramic tours, cooking classes, wine tastings, and Chianti bike tours are available at a supplement.
What is included in the Venice Simplon Orient Express night?
Great Rail Journeys includes your Historic Cabin, a three-course lunch, a four-course dinner with wine pairing selected by the sommelier, breakfast in your cabin or restaurant car, and entertainment from an onboard pianist in the bar car.
Which hotels are offered?
In Rome you choose from the Marcella Royal (4-star), Rose Garden Palace (4-star), or Inn at the Spanish Steps (5-star); in Florence from Hotel Rapallo (4-star) or Santa Maria Novella (4-star); in Venice from Hotel American Dinesen (4-star), Monaco & Grand Canal (4-star), or Hotel Baglioni Luna (5-star). All are on a bed and breakfast basis.
What meals are provided?
Breakfast is included daily at your hotel. On Day 7 aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express, Great Rail Journeys provides lunch and a four-course dinner with wine pairing. All other meals you arrange yourself.

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