Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

Venice to Amsterdam on the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Venice to Amsterdam on the Venice Simplon Orient Express, a rail journey with Planet Rail

Journey in pure elegance from Venice to Amsterdam aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, enjoying gourmet dining and Art Deco luxury.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux

    London to Montreux by First Class rail

    Your holiday begins as you stroll into beautifully restored London St. Pancras station. Take your time to appreciate the splendour of magnificent glass roof, then sit back, relax and watch the countryside swish past as you travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph. Enjoy the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class (formerly 1st class). On arrival at the Gare du Nord a private taxi will transfer you across the city to the Gare de Lyon. Here you continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland, alongside sparkling Lake Geneva to the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. On arrival in Montreux your hotel for one night is the recently refurbished, belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station. You might like to stroll around Montreux or board the trolley bus for the short journey to the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice

    Through the Swiss Alps to Venice

    This morning after breakfast make your way across to the station. Here you board the Euro City train as it snakes its way through picturesque scenery, past soaring mountain peaks, up the spectacular Rhône Valley into Italy. You change trains in Milan and continue to Venice. On arrival at Venezia Santa Lucia station walk out of the station and enter a different world. Your water taxi will transfer you in the best possible style to your chosen hotel for the next three nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Incomparable Venice

    Step out in Venice and allow this unique and captivating city to carry where it will. Enjoy Venice, at dusk and after dark when all the crowds have gone home. From St. Mark’s Square to the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal to a visit inside the stunning Doges Palace, feel yourself unwind as you wander amid the myriad of canals along blissfully traffic-free alleyways and campi (squares). Experience the city’s luminous quality which emanates from the colours of its painted palazzo, ornate stone bridges and Byzantine basilicas all reflected against the tapestry of canals and lagoons. A short boat ride will lead you to pretty islands on the lagoon, including Murano, home of glass-blowing and colourful Burano, where lace and linen abound.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Incomparable Venice

    Step out in Venice and allow this unique and captivating city to carry where it will. Enjoy Venice, at dusk and after dark when all the crowds have gone home. From St. Mark’s Square to the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal to a visit inside the stunning Doges Palace, feel yourself unwind as you wander amid the myriad of canals along blissfully traffic-free alleyways and campi (squares). A short boat ride will lead you to pretty islands on the lagoon, including Murano, home of glass-blowing and colourful Burano, where lace and linen abound.

  5. Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Venice through to Switzerland aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express

    This morning after breakfast it is time to bid farewell to Venice and your luxury hotel as your water taxi transfers you across the lagoon to Venice Santa Lucia station. Here you board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and your historic twin compartment. Throughout your journey you will be attended by your own personal Steward. After you have settled into your comfortable compartment it will soon be time for a leisurely three-course lunch served in one of the beautiful restaurant cars. This afternoon you may choose to visit the on board Boutique, while away the hours in conversation or take it easy in your cabin and admire passing scenery and breath-taking views of the Dolomites, Brenner and Arlberg Passes. It will soon be time to dress for dinner. Here you will be served a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by skilled French chefs. After dinner you may want to linger in the bar car, listening to the sound of the baby grand piano. When you are ready, retire to your compartment, which has now been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Amsterdam

    Arrival into Paris and onto Brussels and Amsterdam

    This morning breakfast is served in your cabin at a time to suit you. After breakfast you may choose to visit the on board Boutique to purchase souvenirs, while away the hours in conversation or take it easy in your compartment and admire passing scenery and charming views as you travel northwards through Europe. Enjoy another leisurely three-course lunch served in another of the beautiful restaurant cars. Choose to spend the afternoon in the Bar Car chatting to fellow guests over coffee or relax and gaze out at the fabulous views from the comfort of your seat. Later, coffee and pastries are served in your compartment. All too soon it is time to prepare to disembark as the train pulls into Amsterdam Centraal. From here you are making your own arrangements to your overnight hotel, the elegant Kimpton De Witt (4 star), just 400 metres from the station.

  7. Day 7rail

    Free-time in Amsterdam and your own arrangements - Homeward bound

    Make the most of your time in this beautiful city. You may decide to explore Amsterdam on foot and wend your way along the enchanting network of canals or take to the water on a Dutch barge (payable locally). Amsterdam has some colourful and lively markets, including the pretty flower market or you might like to stroll around the attractive Vondelpark. Perhaps visit the Anne Frank House (payable locally) or seek out some of Amsterdam’s lesser-known and interesting quarters such as the Jordaan or the Pijp. The Museum Quarter gives you an excellent choice of cultural highlights, including the fabulous Van Gogh museum. Then make your way to Centraal station to herald the start of your journey home as you join the Eurostar back to London. Sit back and relax with a light meal and drink as the train reaches speeds of up to 186 mph before your arrival into St Pancras International and the final leg of your journey home.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Venice
  • Overnight accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe lake view room in Montreux
  • 3 nights’ accommodation at a top quality 4 or 5 star hotel in Venice
  • Water taxi transfer to/from Venice Santa Lucia station to your hotel
  • Rail travel in ultimate style on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Amsterdam with all meals included and overnight accommodation in a private sleeping compartment
  • Overnight stay in Amsterdam

Not included

  • Château de Chillon at Montreux (payable locally)
  • Transfer from Amsterdam Centraal to your hotel (own arrangements)
  • Amsterdam sightseeing such as canal barge trips and the Anne Frank House (payable locally)

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