Search

Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Venice Simplon Orient Express, Rome and Venice

Rome, Venice, and the Orient Express across Italy and France

Illustration of Venice Simplon Orient Express, Rome and Venice

Great Rail Journeys offers a six-day independent journey combining two of Italy's most storied cities with one of the world's most celebrated trains. You depart London by flight to Rome, where you have two full days to explore the city's ancient streets, the Vatican, the Colosseum, and Trevi Fountain at your own pace. On Day 3, you board a high-speed train from Rome to Venice, a four-hour journey that passes through Tuscany and delivers you to the water city for a day of wandering canals, bridges, and narrow backstreets. The centerpiece arrives on Day 5: overnight aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express, the legendary luxury train that carried diplomats and celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s. You travel in a Historic Cabin, dine on a three-course meal in an ornate restaurant car, enjoy live piano music, and wake to breakfast served in your compartment before arriving in Paris. From Paris, Eurostar returns you to London. Hotels in Rome and Venice are 4-star or 5-star boutique properties with breakfast included. This itinerary suits repeat rail travellers, luxury seekers, and independent explorers who want both unguided city time and a singular night aboard an icon.

What to know before you look closer

  • The outbound flight from London to Rome is included, but a two-day alternative train route via Paris and Lyon is available as an option; confirm which routing you prefer when booking.
  • Four hotels are listed as options in Rome and Venice, with choices ranging from 4-star to 5-star; your final hotel depends on the tier and city you select.
  • The tour is independent; Days 1, 2, and 4 offer no guided activities, though optional excursions are available at additional cost.

Day by day

  1. Day railovernight: Rome

    Outbound Travel – Flight from London to Rome

    Your epic journey begins today with your flight from the UK to Rome. Regional flights available. Alternatively, take a two-day leisurely train journey from London to Rome: Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Nord, then Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part Dieu (overnight in Lyon), then Lyon Part Dieu to Milan and Milan to Rome.

  2. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Rome

    On arrival in Rome, you'll enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. Choose one of our specially picked hotels, either 4* or 5* on a B&B basis. Take some free time in Rome today and explore the city at your own pace. Wander the old streets and soak up the atmosphere of this eternal city. Stop off for pasta or pizza at one of the city's many restaurants or sit and watch the people go by with a coffee at one of the many pavement cafes. Or, choose one of our optional excursions, which are bookable at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Continue to explore Rome at your own pace. Optional excursions available including a Private Half Day Roman Panoramic Tour, Evening Sightseeing of Illuminated Rome by Vintage Car, Afternoon Cooking Class at Gianni & Cesare's Studio with Dinner & Wine, and Wine Tasting at Enoteca L'Angelo Divino.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 3railovernight: Venice

    Rome to Venice

    You'll walk to the station in Rome this morning to continue your adventure. You'll take a high-speed train from Rome all the way to Venice, in just under four hours, travelling up the spine of Italy and passing through the enchanting region of Tuscany where the Cypress trees waft in the breeze. On arrival in Venice you can either walk or take a private transfer to your hotel. Choose one of our handpicked hotels, either 4* or 5*, on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Enjoy a free day in Venice today, and discover the water city at your own pace. Shop for Italian souvenirs and wander over the many bridges and around the narrow streets. Visit a museum and have your camera ready for some snaps of the amazing gothic architecture. Take a little time to sit in one of the squares and enjoy an Italian coffee or a gelato, and watch Venice go by. Or, choose one of our optional excursions which are pre-bookable at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 5railovernight: Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Venice Simplon Orient Express

    This morning get ready for a very special journey as you join the enchanting Venice Simplon Orient Express. From the moment you step aboard the opulence and sophistication envelopes you. Sit back and relax and watch the mesmerising Italian landscapes drift by your window. Enjoy a delicate three course dinner in one of the 1920s restaurant cars, and relax in your luxury accommodation. When the hour for dinner rolls around, take your seat in one of the restaurant cars and be wooed by a sumptuous four course dinner, as your sommelier expertly pairs each dish with a fine wine. Meet for a live performance from your onboard pianist in the bar car, or cosy up in your cabin with a good book.

    Meals: Dinner

  7. Day 6rail

    Venice Simplon Orient Express & Home

    Awake to the smell of fresh pastries and take breakfast in your cabin, your personal steward is on hand to attend to your needs, or stroll down to one of the restaurant cars for a breakfast of smoked salmon and caviar. On arrival in Paris it's time to leave the luxurious arms of the Venice Simplon Orient Express as you prepare to board the Eurostar for your journey back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3High-speed train from Rome to Venice in under four hours, passing through Tuscany with views of cypress trees.
  • Day 5Boarding the Venice Simplon Orient Express for a three-course dinner in a 1920s restaurant car and overnight in a Historic Cabin.
  • Day 6Breakfast in your cabin aboard the Orient Express, then departure from Paris on Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

Included

  • 4 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
  • Standard Premier Class Eurostar between Paris and London
  • Flight from London to Rome
  • Private transfer on arrival in Rome

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Optional excursions (bookable at supplement)
  • Personal expenses

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the price?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes the high-speed train from Rome to Venice in First Class, one night on the Venice Simplon Orient Express in a Historic Cabin, and Standard Premier Eurostar from Paris to London. The outbound flight from London to Rome is also included.
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is independent. You arrive with a private transfer to your hotel in Rome, then have free time in Rome (two nights), Venice (one night after the high-speed train), and the remainder of the journey. Optional excursions in Rome and Venice are available for an additional charge.
What are the accommodation options?
In Rome, you can choose from the Marcella Royal (4-star), Rose Garden Palace (4-star), or Inn at the Spanish Steps (5-star), each with two nights on bed and breakfast basis. In Venice, options are the Hotel American Dinesen (4-star), Monaco & Grand Canal (4-star), or Hotel Baglioni Luna (5-star), also two nights bed and breakfast.
What meals are included?
Continental breakfast is included daily at your hotels. On the Venice Simplon Orient Express (Day 5), a three-course dinner and breakfast in your cabin are included. A four-course dinner with wine pairing is also provided aboard the train.
How much walking is involved?
Day 3 includes a walk to Rome station to board the high-speed train. Days 1, 2, and 4 are unguided exploration of Rome and Venice on foot, with walking over bridges and through narrow streets.
What is not included?
Travel and cancellation insurance, optional excursions, and personal expenses are not included. The outbound journey offers a two-day train alternative to the included flight, but that route would incur additional cost.

Similar journeys