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Vacations By Rail · Independent luxury rail vacation

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Paris to Venice

Luxury rail journey from Paris to Venice aboard the restored 1920s train

Illustration of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Paris to Venice

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is one of the world's most celebrated trains, and Vacations By Rail offers a 7-day independent luxury journey aboard it from Paris to Venice. You start with 2 nights in Paris, including a small-group tasting tour of Montmartre or Notre Dame that stops at six locations for macarons, cheese, wine, crêpes, Viennoiseries and oysters. On day 3, you board the legendary train and settle into a luxury cabin, where you enjoy a four-course dinner in a restored 1920s restaurant car with live piano music. The overnight journey carries you to Venice, with breakfast and a three-course sommelier-paired lunch served aboard. Upon arrival, you transfer to your choice of 4-star or 5-star hotel for 3 nights, including a private walking tour of the city's bridges and squares and a gondola ride with prosecco along the Grand Canal. All transfers and train travel are included; you arrange your own flights. This trip appeals to luxury travelers and couples seeking a romantic European experience, as well as rail enthusiasts eager to ride one of history's most famous trains.

What to know before you look closer

  • The gondola ride and prosecco experience operates only from May 1 to October 15; outside this window Vacations By Rail substitutes a private cooking class with lunch
  • Arrival and departure flights are not included; arrange your own air travel to and from Paris and Venice
  • Your Venice hotel is assigned based on your choice of tier (4-star or 5-star); the operator lists three options per tier

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Paris

    On arrival in Paris, transfer to your hotel of choice; explore the Latin Quarter's cinemas, bookstores and bistros at leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Discovering the cuisine of Paris

    A small group tasting tour of the Montmartre or Notre Dame district, stopping at up to six locations for tastings of Parisian delights like macarons, cheese, wine, crêpes, Viennoiseries and oysters.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Train (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express)

    The Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Board the Venice Simplon Orient Express, relax in your luxury cabin, enjoy a four-course dinner in a restored 1920s restaurant car and live piano music in the bar car.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Arriving in Venice

    Breakfast in your cabin or the restaurant car, then a three-course lunch with sommelier-paired wine, before arriving in Venice and transferring to your chosen 4-Star or 5-Star hotel.

  5. Day 5overnight: Venice

    Discovering Venice

    A private orientation walking tour of Venice, visiting the Bridge of Sighs and attractive squares before concluding at the Rialto Bridge.

  6. Day 6overnight: Venice

    Venice gondola ride

    A gondola ride along the Grand Canal and smaller canals while sipping a glass of prosecco, one bottle provided per gondola (does not operate before May 1 or after October 15; a Private Cooking Class with Lunch is offered instead outside that window).

  7. Day 7

    Homeward bound

    Free time until a private water taxi transfer across the Venetian Lagoon to Marco Polo Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small-group tasting tour through Montmartre or Notre Dame, stopping at six locations for macarons, cheese, wine, crêpes, Viennoiseries and oysters
  • Day 3Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and settle into your luxury cabin; enjoy a four-course dinner in a restored 1920s restaurant car with live piano music in the bar
  • Day 4Breakfast in your cabin or restaurant car, followed by a three-course lunch with sommelier-paired wine as the train arrives in Venice
  • Day 6A gondola ride along the Grand Canal and smaller canals with a glass of prosecco (available May 1 to October 15; a private cooking class replaces this outside those dates)

Included

  • 1 night onboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express (fully inclusive)
  • 5 nights in 4-Star hotel accommodation (Bed and Breakfast)
  • Overnight journey between Paris and Venice on the Venice Simplon Orient Express
  • Private transfers throughout the tour

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Arrival and departure flights

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. One night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, fully inclusive with luxury cabin, four-course dinner, breakfast, and lunch, is included in the price
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
Self-guided. You travel on your own following Vacations By Rail's planned itinerary; private transfers are included, but there is no group escort or guide
What is included in the price?
One night onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, 5 nights in 4-star hotel accommodation (bed and breakfast), private transfers, a small-group food tasting tour in Paris, a private walking tour of Venice, and a gondola ride with prosecco (May 1 to October 15)
What is not included?
Flights to and from Europe, travel insurance, and optional excursions such as trips to Murano, Burano, or private Grand Canal motor launches
How much walking is involved?
A private walking tour of Venice visiting the Bridge of Sighs, squares, and Rialto Bridge; the Parisian tasting tour involves moderate walking between six locations
When does this trip run?
The operator does not publish a departure calendar; contact Vacations By Rail directly to confirm available dates

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