Original
Explorer
Rail
France, Switzerland, and Italy by Rail
23 days • No reviews yet
location_on 23 days
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Start
Paris, France
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Finish
Venice, Italy
tour
Trip Code
BMSRC
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
restaurant_menu
Meals
18 breakfasts, 1 lunch
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Transport
Train, Metro, Local Bus, Boat, Private Vehicle
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (22 nights)
From £6,034(23 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Choose a slower-paced European journey on a comfortable rail-only trip – as well as travelling like the locals on domestic trains, you’ll also hop aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express and take the Mount Pilatus Silver Circle tour (which includes an aerial cableway)!
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Take a scenic hike in Bellinzona to make the most of the incredible views – surrounded by the Swiss Alps, Bellinzona also features not one, not two, but three medieval castles.
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Watch a cooking demonstration using fresh, locally harvested produce, then sit down to lunch during a visit to The Tuuur Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio, who work to regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy.
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Take to the Tuscan countryside and cycle along the Serchio River in Lucca, working up an appetite for the region’s delicious local food and renowned wines.
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Head with your local leader to a quaint rural village in the heart of Piedmonte to sample world-class local wines from unique grapes grown only in this region – salute!
Is this trip right for you?
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If you love avoiding airport queues, this is the trip for you! As public transport is the predominant form of transport on this trip, we highly recommend packing as lightly as possible as you will be expected to carry your own bags on and off trains as well as to and from your accommodation.
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If travelling to Paris from London we highly recommend using the fast Eurostar train from London's St Pancras station. At under 2.5 hours travel time and with no airport queues, this is by far the most convenient travel option.
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Please note that we will store our bags at the railway station in Milan while exploring town. There is a limit of one bag per person for the lockers, so please make sure you pack accordingly. Please also note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the trains, and up and down stairs at train stations and at hotels, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the Essential Trip Information. You may want to consider taking a backpack rather than a wheelie bag, however this is up to your personal preference and what you feel more comfortable with.
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Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Many hotel rooms in Europe are not equipped with air-conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
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Hotel rooms in Europe can seem rather small by American or Australian standards and often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. Please also note that often hotels offer shared bathrooms rather than ensuite facilities.
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On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
Itinerary
Link together an adventure from Paris to Venice
Make tracks to embark on a 23-day adventure encompassing France, Switzerland and Italy. Using trains as your primary means of moving about, you’ll get started in the City of Lights before moving into Lausanne and Lucerne, with their UNESCO World Heritage-listed vineyard terraces and views of the Alps. Then it’s into Italy, where you’ll have plenty of free time to explore Rome before heading north to the Tuscan countryside, Cinque Terre, the Portofino Peninsula and more. Best of all, you’ll do with the comforts of rail transport and an expert local leader showing you the way.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Paris
- DAY 2Day 2 • Lausanne
- DAY 3Day 3 • Lausanne
- DAY 4Day 4 • Lucerne
- DAY 5Day 5 • Lucerne Mount Pilatus
- DAY 6Day 6 • Ticino Region Gotthard Panorama Express
- DAY 7Day 7 • Ticino Region
- DAY 8Day 8 • Rome
- DAY 9Day 9 • Rome
- DAY 10Day 10 • Rome
- DAY 11Day 11 • Rome / Florence
- DAY 12Day 12 • Florence
- DAY 13Day 13 • Florence / Lucca
- DAY 14Day 14 • Pisa / Lucca
- DAY 15Day 15 • La Spezia
- DAY 16Day 16 • Cinque Terre / La Spezia
- DAY 17Day 17 • Portofino Peninsula / Asti
- DAY 18Day 18 • Asti
- DAY 19Day 19 • Milan / Lake Como
- DAY 20Day 20 • Lake Como
- DAY 21Day 21 • Venice
- DAY 22Day 22 • Venice
- DAY 23Day 23 • Venice
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
18 breakfasts, 1 lunch
airport_shuttle Transport
Train, Metro, Local Bus, Boat, Private Vehicle
bed Accommodation
Hotel (22 nights)
festival Included activities
circleParis - Orientation Walk
circleParis - Welcome Meeting
circleLausanne - Orientation Walk
circleLucerne - Walk on the Museggmauer Walls
circleLucerne - Mount Pilatus Silver Circle Tour
circleBellinzona - Orientation Walk
circleBellinzona - Leader led hike
circleRome - Orientation Walk
circleRome - Cooperativa Coraggio (The Tuuur Foundation partner) visit
circleLucca - Bicycle Tour
circlePisa - Half Day Trip to Pisa
circleCinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
circlePortofino Peninsula - Walk and Boat Ride
circleAsti - Village Winery Visit & Wine Tasting
circleMilan - Duomo Rooftop Visit
circleMilan - Half Day Trip
circleLake Como - Ferry Pass
circleVenice - Traghetto Ride
circleVenice - Leader led orientation walk
circleVenice - Ciccheti Stop
museum Optional activities
circleParis - Hidden Montmartre Urban Adventure - EUR35
circleParis - Palace of Versailles - EUR20
circleParis - Louvre Museum (must be prebooked in advance) - EUR22
circleParis - Arc de Triomphe - EUR16
circleParis - Musee d'Orsay - EUR16
circleParis - Rodin Museum - EUR14
circleParis - Napoleon's Tomb & Les Invalides Army Museum - EUR15
circleParis - Eiffel Tower (from - must be prebooked in advance) - EUR23
circleParis - Da Vinci Code Walking Tour - EUR25
circleLausanne - Visit to Unesco-listed Lavaux vineyards and wine tasting (including return local trains) - CHF23
circleLausanne - Boat tour on the Leman Lake - CHF38
circleLausanne - Visit to the Olympic Museum - CHF20
circleLausanne - Chocolate tasting tour - CHF29
circleLausanne - Visit to Plateforme 10 museum - CHF15
circleLucerne - Swiss Museum of Transport - CHF62
circleLucerne - Fondue lunch or dinner - CHF27
circleLucerne - Boat tour on the lake - CHF30
circleLucerne - Paddle boat on the lake - CHF40
circleLucerne - Gletschergarten Luzern Museum - CHF22
circleLucerne - Guided tour of the Sonnenberg Bunker - CHF350
circleVatican City - Vatican Museum - EUR25
circleRome - Pantheon One Hour Guided Tour Urban Adventure - EUR35
circleRome - Castel Sant'Angelo - EUR19
circleRome - Christian Catacombs - EUR10
circleRome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - EUR19
circleVatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator - EUR10
circleRome - Pantheon - EUR5
circleRome - Galleria Borghese - EUR17
circleRome - Venezia Palace - EUR17
circleRome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House - EUR6
circleFlorence - Foodies Walk Urban Adventure - EUR79
circleFlorence - Brunelleschi 3 Days pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome - EUR30
circleFlorence - Accademia - EUR20
circleFlorence - Uffizi Gallery - EUR29
circleFlorence - Bargello Museum - EUR16
circleFlorence: Hidden Gems and Aperitivo - EUR77
circlePisa - Leaning Tower of Pisa - EUR27
circlePisa - 5 Monuments Combo Ticket - EUR11
circleLucca - Cathedral of San Martino & Ilaria del Carretto Tomb - EUR3
circleLucca - Guinigi Tower Climb - EUR8
circleLucca - National Gallery Villa Guinigi - EUR5
circleLucca - Day Trip to Barga (by public bus) - EUR9
circleLucca - Palazzo Pfanner House & Gardens - EUR7
circleLucca - Cathedral Museum - EUR4
circleLucca - Puccini concert - EUR20
circlePisa - Leaning Tower of Pisa - EUR20
circleLa Spezia - Mountain E-bike hire - EUR75
circleCinque Terre - Via dell’Amore trail - EUR10
circleAsti - Bike Hire - EUR3
circleAsti - Archaeological Museum - EUR10
circleMilan - Castello Sforzesco - Free
circleMilan - La Scala Museum - EUR13
circleMilan - Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' - from - EUR29
circleLake Como - Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo - EUR12
circleLake Como - Villa Melzi Gardens in Bellagio - EUR10
circleLake Como - Vezio Castle in Varenna - EUR6
circleVilla del Balbianello - EUR13
circleVenice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury - EUR5
circleCa’ D’Oro - Galería Franchetti - EUR15
circleVenice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
circlePeggy Guggenheim Collection - EUR17
circleVenice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
circleVenice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
circleVenice - Gondola Ride - EUR80
circleVenice - Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure - EUR112
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£6,705
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Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£6,705£6,034
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Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
Wednesday May 13, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£7,040
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Tuesday May 12, 2026
Wednesday Jun 03, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£6,705
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Tuesday May 26, 2026
Wednesday Jun 17, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£7,321
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Tuesday Jun 23, 2026
Wednesday Jul 15, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£7,321
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Tuesday Jul 21, 2026
Wednesday Aug 12, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£7,040
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Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
Wednesday Sep 16, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£7,040
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Tuesday Sep 08, 2026
Wednesday Sep 30, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£7,321
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Tuesday Sep 29, 2026
Wednesday Oct 21, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£7,321
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Tuesday Oct 13, 2026
Wednesday Nov 04, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£6,705
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Important notes
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SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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A Single Supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding days 13, 14, 15 & 16. Availability is limited due to small properties that we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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TRAIN TRAVEL
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The primary form of transportation on this trip are scheduled local and intercity trains.
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On day 5 of departures operating in April, we’ll be making a slight adjustment to how we reach the top of Mount Pilatus. The cogwheel train will be out of service seasonal maintenance and potential weather conditions and instead, we’ll enjoy a scenic cable car ride from the village of Kriens, offering stunning panoramic views along the way.
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