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Planet Rail · Escorted rail holiday

Venice Simplon Orient Express – Verona Opera & Amsterdam

London to Amsterdam via Orient Express, Verona opera, eight days

Illustration of Venice Simplon Orient Express – Verona Opera & Amsterdam

Planet Rail's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express package is an eight-day escorted journey that celebrates two of Europe's most storied rail experiences. You depart London St. Pancras by Eurostar to Paris, continue by TGV through French countryside and along Lake Geneva to Montreux for one night at the four-star superior Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, then take the Euro City through the Swiss Alps and Italian Dolomites to Verona, where you spend three nights at the four-star Hotel Accademia. Those three days allow leisure time to explore Verona's Roman squares and streets or attend the world-renowned Verona Opera (tickets paid separately). On Day 5 you board the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, settling into your private cabin for an overnight journey north; French chefs prepare a three-course lunch and four-course dinner, with breakfast and afternoon tea served in your compartment. The train reaches Amsterdam on Day 6, where you stay two nights at the four-star Hotel Estherea before returning to London by Eurostar. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, luxury seekers, couples, and food-and-wine enthusiasts drawn to the combination of Europe's finest trains, four-star hotels throughout, and the theatrical experience of the Orient Express.

What to know before you look closer

  • Verona Opera tickets, Château de Chillon entry, Dutch barge canal trips, and Anne Frank House entry are payable locally and not included in the from-price.
  • An alternative fly option is available: fly London to Verona with British Airways and join the Orient Express from there for a six-night, seven-day package starting from £4,895 per person, saving up to £600 compared to the rail route.
  • On Day 2 in Verona and Day 7 in Amsterdam you make your own way to the hotel; these are unguided arrival days.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux

    London to Montreux by First Class Rail

    Depart London St. Pancras by Eurostar to Paris at up to 186mph with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier. On arrival at Gare du Nord a private taxi transfers you to Gare de Lyon. Continue by TGV through France into Switzerland alongside Lake Geneva to Montreux. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) next to the station. Optional visit to Château de Chillon (payable locally).

    Meals: Lunch on Eurostar

  2. Day 2railovernight: Verona

    Through the Swiss Alps to Verona by First Class Rail

    After breakfast board the Euro City train through picturesque scenery past soaring mountain peaks, up the Rhône Valley into Italy, arriving in the Roman city of Verona. Make your own way to the Hotel Accademia, located close to Piazza Brà.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Verona

    At Leisure in Verona

    Explore the walled city of Verona, famous for Romeo and Juliet. Visit Piazza Brà, San Zeno Maggiore, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza Erbe and Juliet's balcony. Optional excursions to Valpolicella vineyards, Vicenza or Lake Garda. Opportunity to attend the Verona Opera (payable locally).

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Verona

    At Leisure in Verona

    Further time to explore Verona and surroundings. Attend the world-renowned Verona Opera – the 100th anniversary performance of Aida (payable locally).

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: On board Orient Express

    Verona & the Orient Express

    After breakfast board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin. Enjoy a three-course lunch in the restaurant car. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your cabin viewing the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps, or socialising in the Bar Car. Afternoon tea served in your cabin. Dress for dinner and enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by French chefs. Linger in the bar car with the baby grand piano before retiring to your transformed bedroom compartment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Amsterdam

    The Orient Express through Paris to Amsterdam

    Breakfast served in your cabin by your steward. The train stops at Paris Gare de l'Est to replenish supplies – stretch your legs on the platform. Continue north towards Amsterdam enjoying lunch on board. Browse the onboard boutique. Afternoon pastries with tea and coffee served in your cabin. Arrive Amsterdam and transfer to the Hotel Estherea (4-star). Explore Amsterdam on foot or by Dutch barge (payable locally).

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea/Pastries

  7. Day 7railovernight: Amsterdam / Eurostar

    Exploring Amsterdam

    Explore Amsterdam's colourful markets, Vondelpark, Anne Frank House (payable locally), the Jordaan or the Pijp quarter, and the Museum Quarter including the Van Gogh Museum. Amble across bridges and canals. In the evening make your way to Centraal station to join the Eurostar back to London, arriving at St. Pancras International.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on Eurostar

  8. Day 8rail

    Farewell to Amsterdam and Homeward Bound

    Enjoy final sights in Amsterdam before making your way to Centraal station. Board the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International with a light meal and drinks at up to 186mph.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on Eurostar

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St. Pancras at up to 186 mph with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier, crossing the Channel to Paris; a private taxi transfers you across the city to board the TGV to Montreux alongside Lake Geneva.
  • Day 2The Euro City train climbs through the Swiss Alps and Rhône Valley, passing soaring mountain peaks before descending into Verona, the Roman city famous for Romeo and Juliet.
  • Day 5You board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a private twin or double compartment and spend the night travelling north, viewing the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps while a steward serves a three-course lunch, afternoon tea, and four-course dinner prepared by French chefs.
  • Day 6The Orient Express stops at Paris Gare de l'Est to replenish supplies; you can stretch your legs on the platform before continuing north to Amsterdam, where lunch and afternoon pastries with tea are served on board.
  • Day 7You explore Amsterdam's colourful markets, Vondelpark, canals, and bridges before boarding Eurostar in the evening for the return to London St. Pancras.

Included

  • First Class Eurostar London St. Pancras to Paris (Standard Premier with light meal and drinks)
  • Private taxi transfer Paris Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon
  • First Class TGV Paris to Montreux
  • 1 night B&B at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior), Montreux
  • First Class Euro City train Montreux to Verona
  • 3 nights B&B at Hotel Accademia (4-star), Verona
  • Overnight journey in private twin/double compartment on Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Verona to Amsterdam)
  • All meals on board the Orient Express (lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, breakfast)
  • 2 nights B&B at Hotel Estherea (4-star), Amsterdam
  • Eurostar Amsterdam to London (with light meal and drinks)

Not included

  • Verona Opera tickets (payable locally)
  • Château de Chillon entry (payable locally)
  • Dutch barge canal trip in Amsterdam (payable locally)
  • Anne Frank House entry (payable locally)
  • Personal expenses and gratuities

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar London to Paris and return, TGV Paris to Montreux, Euro City Montreux to Verona, and the overnight Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Verona to Amsterdam, all in First Class or private compartments as stated.
What is included on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?
Your private twin or double compartment, all meals on board (lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and breakfast), and a personal steward. The train travels overnight from Verona to Amsterdam via Paris.
Which hotels are included?
One night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) in Montreux, three nights at the Hotel Accademia (4-star) in Verona, and two nights at the Hotel Estherea (4-star) in Amsterdam, all with breakfast included.
Is this trip escorted?
Yes, Planet Rail operates this as an escorted rail holiday. A private taxi transfers you across Paris on Day 1. On arrival in Verona (Day 2) and Amsterdam (Day 6) you make your own way to the hotel.
What is the Verona Opera opportunity?
Days 3 and 4 in Verona allow you to attend the world-renowned Verona Opera; tickets are payable locally and not included in the package price.
How much walking is involved?
Days exploring Verona and Amsterdam involve walking through city streets, across bridges and canals, and to landmarks such as Piazza Brà, San Zeno Maggiore, and the Van Gogh Museum. Train transfers and station navigation are routine.

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