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Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Venice Simplon Orient Express, Florence & Venice

Florence and Venice with return on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Illustration of Venice Simplon Orient Express, Florence & Venice

Great Rail Journeys' 6-day independent package combines two of Italy's greatest cities with a return journey aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, one of the world's most storied luxury trains. You begin with two nights in Florence, where Renaissance art and architecture fill the streets and museums. A high-speed train then carries you through the vineyards of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna to Venice for two more nights exploring the canals and historic backstreets at your own pace. On Day 5, you board the legendary VSOE for an overnight passage to Paris: your private cabin becomes your refuge, three-course lunch and four-course dinner with wine pairings are served in the regal restaurant cars, and a pianist accompanies cocktails in the bar. Breakfast is served in your cabin or at your seat before you disembark in Paris and take Eurostar back to London. This trip suits luxury-seeking couples, repeat rail travellers drawn to historic trains, and history lovers who want unhurried time in two Italian cultural capitals without a guided tour schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package is independent, not escorted; days in Florence and Venice are free to explore on your own, with optional paid excursions.
  • The outbound route to Florence is flexible: you can fly or take a two-day train journey via Paris and Lyon at no extra cost; the itinerary does not specify which you will take.
  • Hotels in Venice are offered from two options (4-star or 5-star) and two property names per tier; your final hotel depends on availability and tier chosen.

Day by day

  1. Day railovernight: Florence

    Outbound Travel – Getting to Florence

    Your Italian adventure begins with your flight from London to Florence. Regional flights available. Alternatively, take a leisurely two-day train journey from London to Florence: Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris Nord, then Paris Gare du Lyon to Lyon Part Dieu (overnight in Lyon), then Lyon to Milan and Milan to Florence.

  2. Day 1overnight: Florence

    Florence

    On arrival in Florence you'll be transferred to your hotel to relax. Choose between our 4* hotels, on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 2overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Enjoy a free day in Florence and get to know the city a little better by walking its streets and discovering its stunning architecture. Visit a gallery or a museum for some famous historical art, or spend some time in one of the city's historic cafes. Optional excursions available at additional cost.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 3railovernight: Venice

    Florence to Venice

    Relax on your free morning in Florence and do any last minute souvenir shopping, or stroll the streets one more time, before heading to the station. Catch a high-speed train through picturesque Tuscany and the Emilia-Romagna wine region to Venice (just over two hours). On arrival take an optional transfer or walk to your hotel. Choose between our 4* and 5* hotels, on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Enjoy a free day in Venice. Stroll the historic streets, sit at pavement cafes, wander the narrow streets and stride over the old bridges that straddle the famous canals. Optional excursions available at supplementary cost.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 5railovernight: Venice Simplon Orient Express (on board)

    The Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Spend your free morning in Venice doing any last minute souvenir shopping or taking a last wander around the historic streets, before joining the majestic Venice Simplon Orient Express. Relax in your private accommodation and enjoy a three course lunch in one of the regal restaurant cars. Watch the changing landscapes drift by your window, enjoy a sumptuous four course dinner with sommelier-paired wines, and sip cocktails in the bar car while your resident pianist entertains you.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 6rail

    Arrive in Paris

    Wake to the scent of fresh pastries and coffee. Enjoy a French breakfast served in your cabin or smoked salmon and caviar in one of the restaurant cars. On arrival in Paris, disembark the Venice Simplon Orient Express and make your way to the Eurostar for your journey back to London St Pancras Station.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3High-speed train ride through picturesque Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna wine region, arriving in Venice in just over two hours.
  • Day 5Dinner aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: a four-course meal with sommelier-paired wines served in a regal restaurant car, watching Italian landscapes pass your window.
  • Day 6French breakfast served in your cabin or smoked salmon and caviar in the restaurant car as you approach Paris.

Included

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

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of £4,795 includes the flight or train to Florence, First Class rail from Florence to Venice, Standard Premiere Eurostar from Paris to London, and one night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with meals.
What happens on the free days in Florence and Venice?
You have complete freedom. The itinerary suggests walking the historic streets, visiting galleries and museums, or sitting in cafes. Optional paid excursions (Chianti bike tours, gondola rides, cooking classes, etc.) are available.
What is included on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?
One night in a private historic cabin or suite, a three-course lunch, a four-course dinner with sommelier-paired wines, French breakfast in your cabin or in the restaurant car, and access to the bar car with a resident pianist.
Where do I stay and what is the standard?
Four nights in 4-star hotels: two in Florence (Hotel Rapallo or Santa Maria Novella) and two in Venice (Hotel American Dinesen, Monaco & Grand Canal, or Hotel Baglioni Luna, a 5-star property). All rooms are on a bed and breakfast basis.
How do I get to Florence at the start?
Great Rail Journeys offers a flight from London or an optional two-day train route via Paris, Lyon, and Milan at no extra cost. You choose the method; the itinerary does not lock one in.
Is this an escorted tour?
No, it is independent. You arrange your own transfers and activities in Florence and Venice. Paid excursions and private guides are available as add-ons.

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