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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Lake Garda and Lake Como

Paris to Venice by Orient-Express, then Lake Garda and Como

Illustration of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Lake Garda and Lake Como

Railbookers runs this 10-day independent rail vacation from Paris to Milan, built around a night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The trip opens with a day at leisure in Paris, using a hop-on, hop-off pass to see landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame. On day 2, travelers board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Gare de l'Est for a four-course dinner prepared by French chefs, then wake to breakfast in their cabin and a three-course lunch in a restaurant car before the train reaches Venice's Santa Lucia station. Two nights in Venice include a small-group tour of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica and a private gondola ride, followed by Trenitalia trains to two nights each in Sirmione on Lake Garda and Como on Lake Como, with small-group boat tours on both lakes. The trip ends with a night in Milan. It suits travelers who want a luxury train journey paired with unhurried lake time and some free days to explore independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence lists 25 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than one fixed hotel list, so the specific hotel you get in each city depends on the tier you choose.
  • This is an independent rail vacation, and several days are left free rather than guided, including Paris on day 1, Lake Garda on day 6, and part of Milan on day 9.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, use your hop-on, hop-off tour voucher to visit landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame cathedral.

    Meals: B

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Depart Paris On The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Enjoy a full day in Paris before stepping aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express. After departing from Paris Gare de l'Est, enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by the French chefs.

    Meals: B, D

  3. Day 3railovernight: Venice

    Venice

    Breakfast is served in your cabin, followed by a three-course lunch in one of the restaurant cars, then pastries in the afternoon before the train pulls into Santa Lucia station.

    Meals: B, L

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. In the evening, a private gondola ride through the winding canals.

    Meals: B

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sirmione

    Venice to Lake Garda

    Catch a Trenitalia train directly to Lake Garda and make your way to your hotel in Sirmione, on the south shore of the lake.

    Meals: B

  6. Day 6overnight: Sirmione

    Lake Garda

    A leisurely day in Sirmione, wandering the small streets. In the evening, a relaxing sunset cruise across Lake Garda.

    Meals: B

  7. Day 7railovernight: Como

    Lake Garda to Lake Como

    Depart on your train to Lake Como via Milan. The evening is free to explore.

    Meals: B

  8. Day 8overnight: Como

    Lake Como

    Enjoy a two-hour boat tour on Lake Como, gliding past elegant villas, lakeside villages, and mountain backdrops.

    Meals: B

  9. Day 9railovernight: Milan

    Lake Como to Milan

    Depart Lake Como for the direct train to Milan. The afternoon is free to use your Milan City hop-on, hop-off tour.

    Meals: B

  10. Day 10

    Your Journey Ends in Milan

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your travels elsewhere.

    Meals: B

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Departing Paris Gare de l'Est aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for a four-course dinner prepared by French chefs.
  • Day 3Breakfast served in the cabin and a three-course lunch in a restaurant car before the train pulls into Venice's Santa Lucia station.
  • Day 4A guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica, followed by a private gondola ride through Venice's canals.
  • Day 8A two-hour boat tour on Lake Como, gliding past villas, lakeside villages and mountain backdrops.

Included

  • 1 night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a private Historic Cabin
  • 1 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Venice
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Sirmione
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Como
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Milan
  • Hop-on Hop-off pass in Paris
  • Small Group tour of the Doges Palace and St Marks Basilica in Venice
  • Private Gondola ride in Venice
  • Small-group boat tour of Lake Garda
  • Small-group boat tour in Lake Como
  • Hop-on Hop-off pass in Milan
  • All rail travel as per itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Railbookers includes all rail travel as per the itinerary, including the overnight aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a private Historic Cabin.
Which trains does this trip use?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice in a Historic Cabin, then Trenitalia trains for the Italian legs to Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Milan.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Guided elements are limited to a small-group tour of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica, a private gondola ride, and small-group boat tours of Lake Garda and Lake Como; the rest of the time is free.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 25 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including hotels such as the Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera and Hotel Metropole Venice, with the exact hotel depending on the tier and city chosen.
How many nights does the trip include?
10 days and 9 nights: 1 in Paris, 1 aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, 2 in Venice, 2 in Sirmione on Lake Garda, 2 in Como on Lake Como, and 1 in Milan.

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