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 (outbound by First Class Rail)
Depart by first-class rail to Venice, then return to London in pure elegance aboard the world-famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Montreux – Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic
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 with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier service. On arrival at Gare du Nord a private taxi transfers you to Gare de Lyon, then continue by TGV through France into Switzerland alongside Lake Geneva to Montreux. Check in to the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) next to the station. Optional visit to the medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally).
Meals: Lunch (on Eurostar)
- Day 2railovernight: Venice – Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente
Through the Swiss Alps to Venice by First Class Rail
After breakfast board the Euro City train 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.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Venice – Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente
Incomparable Venice
Free time to explore Venice. Visit St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, visit the Doges Palace, and wander the canals and campi. Optional boat ride to the islands of Murano and Burano.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Venice – Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente
Incomparable Venice
Another full day to explore Venice at your leisure, including at dusk and after dark when the crowds have gone. Experience the city's luminous quality from its painted palazzi, ornate stone bridges and Byzantine basilicas reflected in the canals and lagoons.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5railovernight: On board Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Venice through to Switzerland aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
After breakfast a water taxi transfers you to Venice Santa Lucia station to board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin. Enjoy a sumptuous three-course lunch in the restaurant car, spend the afternoon relaxing in your cabin or in the Bar Car, with afternoon tea served in your compartment. Dress for dinner and enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs. After dinner linger in the bar car with the baby grand piano before retiring to your transformed bedroom compartment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
- Day 6rail
Arrival into Paris – Paris to London – Homeward Bound
Breakfast served in your cabin by your steward. The train arrives at Paris Gare de l'Est. After a short transfer, depart Paris to London by First Class rail, arriving at London Victoria station.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- First Class rail travel London to Paris (Eurostar, Standard Premier service)
- Private taxi transfer Paris Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon
- First Class TGV rail Paris to Montreux
- 1 night accommodation with breakfast at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), Montreux – deluxe lake view double room
- Euro City First Class rail Montreux to Venice
- Private water taxi transfer Venice station to hotel
- 3 nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star), Venice – double room
- Private water taxi transfer Venice hotel to Venice Santa Lucia station
- Overnight travel on Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Venice to Paris in private sleeping compartment
- All meals on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, breakfast)
- Cabin steward service throughout Orient Express journey
- First Class rail Paris to London
Not included
- Château de Chillon entry (payable locally)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Suite or Grand Suite upgrades (available at supplement)
