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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Verona & The Magic of the Verona Opera by First Class Rail

First Class rail journey from London to Verona for the opera festival

Illustration of Verona & The Magic of the Verona Opera by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Verona and the Magic of the Verona Opera is a 6-day, 5-night First Class rail journey from London to the heart of northern Italy and back, designed around an evening at the Verona Opera in the ancient Roman Arena. The trip departs London St. Pancras on Eurostar and carries travellers through Paris and Zurich to the scenic Gotthard Route, which climbs through the Swiss Alps via the world's longest tunnel and descends into the Italian Lakes toward Verona. After three nights exploring this walled city famous for Romeo and Juliet, the itinerary climbs back north through the Alps via the Simplon Pass, stopping in lakeside Montreux on Lake Geneva before returning to London. Accommodation is in four-star hotels throughout: the Hotel Helmhaus in Zurich, the Hotel Accademia in Verona, and the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux. Planet Rail includes all First Class rail fares, private taxi transfers across Paris, breakfasts, and the opera ticket.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary bases itself on one published departure pattern; Planet Rail describes this as available throughout the year at the same price of GBP 1,895 per person
  • On Days 3 and 4, Verona activities are free but unguided; optional paid excursions to Valpolicella vineyards, Vicenza, or Lake Garda are available locally
  • The Château de Chillon admission fee on Day 6 is payable locally, not included in the tour price

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    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 Class. On arrival at Gare du Nord, a private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue by TGV through France into Switzerland. Travel through the Swiss countryside to the lakeside city of Zurich, where you spend the night at the Hotel Helmhaus (4-star).

    Meals: Lunch/snack on Eurostar

  2. Day 2overnight: Verona

    Through the Swiss Alps to Verona

    After breakfast, explore Zurich's Old Town, the River Limmat, Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster, and St Peterskirche. Then make your way to Zurich station for the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps, through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (world's longest tunnel), across the Swiss border, through the Italian Lakes, and on to Milan. Change trains in Milan and continue to Verona, where you check in to the Hotel Accademia.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Verona

    Verona, the surrounding area and a night at the Verona Opera

    Stroll around this attractive walled city famous for Romeo and Juliet. Soak up Piazza Brà, San Zeno Maggiore, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza Erbe and Juliet's balcony. Optionally venture to the Valpolicella vineyards, Vicenza or Lake Garda. In the evening, attend the Verona Opera at the Arena di Verona, lit by thousands of candles.

  4. Day 4overnight: Verona

    The Roman city of Verona & the surrounding area

    A further free day to enjoy the Roman city of Verona. Optional excursions to the Valpolicella vineyards, the Palladian delights of Vicenza, or stunning Lake Garda.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montreux

    Verona through the Alps to Lake Geneva

    After breakfast, make your way to Verona Porta Nuova station and board the Eurostar Italia First Class service to Milan. Join the Euro City service through the Alps via the spectacular Simplon Pass to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior), located right next to the station.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6rail

    Free time in Montreux – Montreux to London – Homeward bound

    Enjoy free time in Montreux or visit the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally). Make your way to Montreux station and join the Inter Regio train to Lausanne, then board the TGV to Paris. A taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord where you join the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International, enjoying a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class.

    Meals: Lunch/snack on Eurostar

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St. Pancras on Eurostar at speeds of up to 186mph to Paris, with a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class
  • Day 2Travel the scenic Gotthard Route through the Swiss Alps, passing through the world's longest tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, then descend through the Italian Lakes to Verona
  • Day 3Attend the Verona Opera at the Arena di Verona, the ancient Roman amphitheatre lit by thousands of candles
  • Day 5Board the Euro City service from Milan through the spectacular Simplon Pass to lakeside Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • Eurostar Standard Premier Class (London to Paris and return) including light meal and drinks
  • TGV Paris to Switzerland
  • Scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps
  • Eurostar Italia First Class (Verona to Milan)
  • Euro City service through Simplon Pass to Montreux
  • Inter Regio train Montreux to Lausanne
  • TGV Lausanne to Paris
  • Private taxi transfer across Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, outbound)
  • Private taxi transfer to Gare du Nord (return)
  • 1 night at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich (4-star)
  • 3 nights at Hotel Accademia Verona (4-star)
  • 1 night at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreux (4-star superior)
  • Complimentary hot and cold breakfast buffet at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich
  • Opera ticket at the Arena di Verona

Not included

  • Château de Chillon entrance fee (payable locally)
  • Meals not specified as included
  • Personal expenses

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included?
Yes. First Class rail throughout is included, covering Eurostar Standard Premier to and from Paris, TGV Paris to Zurich, the scenic Gotthard Route to Milan, Eurostar Italia to Verona, Euro City through the Simplon Pass to Montreux, Inter Regio to Lausanne, and TGV back to Paris.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Helmhaus Zurich (4-star), 1 night; Hotel Accademia Verona (4-star), 3 nights; Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreux (4-star superior), 1 night. All three are confirmed in the itinerary.
Is the opera ticket included?
Yes. An opera ticket at the Arena di Verona is included for Day 3.
Is this escorted or independent?
Planet Rail describes this as a tailor-made rail holiday with private taxi transfers across Paris on arrival and departure. The itinerary shows unguided free time in Verona and Montreux, with optional excursions available locally.
What meals are included?
Light meals and drinks on both Eurostar journeys (London to Paris and return), breakfast at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich, and breakfast on Day 2. The itinerary does not specify other included meals.
How much of the trip involves walking?
Day 2 includes a self-guided walk around Zurich's Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse, and churches. Days 3 and 4 are spent strolling around Verona's walled city and its historic plazas. Day 6 offers free time in Montreux before departure.

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