Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Swiss Mountains & Italian Lakes
First-Class escorted rail tour of Swiss lakes, mountains and Italy's Lake Como
10 daysfrom $5,608
80% rail
Planet Rail · Escorted rail holiday
Venice to London on the Venice Simplon Orient Express
Revel in old-world glamour as you journey from Venice to London aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Montreux
London to Montreux by First Class Rail
Your holiday begins at London St. Pancras station. Travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, enjoying a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier service. On arrival at Gare du Nord a private taxi transfers you to Gare de Lyon. Continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, alongside sparkling Lake Geneva to the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. Check in to the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station. Optional visit to the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally).
Meals: Lunch (on Eurostar)
- Day 2railovernight: Venice
Through the Swiss Alps to Venice by First Class Rail
After breakfast, board the Euro City train which snakes through picturesque scenery, past soaring mountain peaks, up the spectacular Rhône Valley into Italy, passing Milan and continuing to Venice. On arrival at Venezia Santa Lucia station, a private water taxi transfers you to your hotel for the next three nights.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Venice
Incomparable Venice
Step out in Venice and allow this unique and captivating city to carry you where it will. Enjoy Venice at dusk and after dark. From St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal to a visit inside the stunning Doges Palace. Wander amid the myriad of canals along blissfully traffic-free alleyways and campi (squares). A short boat ride leads to the lagoon islands of Murano (glass-blowing) and colourful Burano (lace and linen).
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Venice
Incomparable Venice (continued)
Continue to explore Venice at your own pace. 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.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Venice through to Switzerland aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
After breakfast, a water taxi transfers you across the lagoon to Venice Santa Lucia station. Board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin and attends you throughout the journey. Enjoy a sumptuous three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your cabin gazing at the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps, or chatting in the Bar Car. Afternoon tea is served in your compartment. Dress for dinner and enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before a delicious four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs. Linger in the bar car with the baby grand piano before retiring to your compartment, transformed into a cosy bedroom.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (3-course), Afternoon Tea, Dinner (4-course)
- Day 6rail
Arrival into Paris – Paris to London – Homeward Bound
Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you. The train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est where you disembark the Orient Express. After a short transfer, depart Paris for London by First Class rail, arriving into London Victoria station.
Meals: Breakfast (in cabin)
Included
- Rail travel on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris with all meals included
- Overnight accommodation in a private sleeping compartment on the Orient Express
- 3 nights' accommodation with breakfast in a double room at Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star) in Venice
- 1 night's accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe lake view double room at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
- First Class rail from London to Montreux (via Eurostar and TGV)
- First Class rail from Paris to London
- Private taxi transfer in Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon)
- Private water taxi transfers between Venice station and hotel
Not included
- Château de Chillon entry (payable locally)
- Gondola rides
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Optional fly to Venice (saving of up to £400 per person available if flying instead of first class rail)
