A Grand European Rail Adventure: London to Rome

Today, we step back into the golden age of rail travel on a luxurious day trip to the historically significant walled city of York, aboard the world-class, exclusive Belmond British Pullman train. This restored 1920s train has sheltered royalty and been a star of the silver screen, and each whimsically-named Art Deco carriage has a story to tell. Delight in antique-style marquetry, vintage lighting and heritage upholstery, where the passion for preserving history is evident at every turn. All this, with 5-star service and an Executive Chef and team on board serving up British fare with an innovative twist in the fine dining car, the journey is an experience in itself. 

After an early breakfast, we’ll stroll the short distance from the hotel to King’s Cross Station and settle into our plush carriage as the train glides out of London and moves north into the rolling green countryside, wide expanses of farmland, quaint villages, hedgerows, and grazing livestock of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Further along, while you’re enjoying a sumptuous brunch complete with a Bellini, the train passes through Lincolnshire’s fertile plains, known as the “breadbasket of England” before transitioning to the undulating, gentle hills of South Yorkshire. Sit back, sip chilled champagne and savour every bite while the countryside rushes by.

On arrival into the magnificent curved 1877 railway station at York, you’ll have the option of a guided walking tour of the old city or a privately guided visit to the National Railway Museum, the largest in the world, housing an extraordinary collection of Britain’s most iconic railway treasures and showcasing locomotives like Mallard (world steam speed record, 1938), Rocket (Stephenson’s replica), and royal carriages. Whatever you choose, there’ll still be time at leisure to explore this historic city’s medieval centre at your own pace, walking the ancient city walls, browsing the Shambles, or stepping inside the soaring York Minster.

In the late afternoon, we’ll reboard the train and return to London the way we came, enjoying a fine 5-course dinner with drinks in the beautifully appointed dining car as the evening light fades outside the window. 

On arrival at Victoria Station later in the evening, we’ll transfer back to the hotel together.

Overnight: Pullman London St. Pancras or similar, London (B,L,D)

After a leisurely breakfast and check out, we’ll walk the short distance to St. Pancras International to take our Premier Class seats on board the iconic Eurostar – your ticket includes private lounge access while you wait to board. Enjoy lunch served at your seat as the train slips beneath the English Channel and into northern France.

On arrival at Gare du Nord in Paris in the mid afternoon, we’ll transfer directly to the hotel, check into our deluxe accommodation, and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. For those who have visited the city before, you’ll have time to reacquaint yourself with the city’s rhythm – perhaps a gentle walk along the Seine, a quiet hour inside a familiar museum, or the unmistakable pleasure of your first espresso at a sidewalk café. For those new to the city, your Tour Leader will have lots of tips and information to help you plan your free time in this most romantic of cities.

This evening, we’ll gather for dinner at a local restaurant and toast your arrival in the City of Light, where old favourites and new discoveries await in equal measure.

Overnight: MSocial Hotel Paris or similar, Paris (B,L,D)

Following breakfast, we’ll venture into the quieter side of Parisian art history with a morning visit to the Musée Marmottan Monet. Tucked away in a leafy corner of the 16th arrondissement, this elegant townhouse museum holds the world’s largest collection of works by Claude Monet, including Impression, and Sunrise, the painting that gave rise to the Impressionist movement. With fewer crowds and an intimate atmosphere, it offers a rare chance to experience masterpieces up close, along with works by Morisot, Renoir and Degas.

After lunch at a nearby bistro, your afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore Paris your way. 

Overnight: MSocial Hotel Paris or similar, Paris (B,L)

Today is a full-day excursion to the stunning Château de Versailles, an enduring symbol of royal ambition, artistic patronage and theatrical grandeur that was the political and cultural centre of France until the French Revolution. Renowned for its opulent architecture, sprawling gardens, and historical significance and originally a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII, it was transformed by Louis XIV into a symbol of absolute monarchy in the 17th century. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major cultural landmark. 

We’ll begin with a leisurely breakfast at Ore, the elegant Alain Ducasse restaurant housed within the palace’s 18th-century pavilion, offering views fit for a king. You’re then free to begin your immersion into this incredible place. We’ll regroup briefly in the late morning for a privately guided tour aboard a petit train through the outer estate, including the idyllic Queen’s Hamlet, Marie Antoinette’s rustic retreat designed in the spirit of a storybook village. Then you’re free for the rest of the afternoon to continue exploring at your own pace.

Your ticket includes access to both the palace and the magnificent gardens so you can enjoy an audio-guided visit through the Hall of Mirrors and gilded salons of the palace, as well as spend time in the vast formal gardens where classical geometry and horticultural spectacle unfold on a regal scale.

You can return to Paris later in the afternoon on our private coach, or choose a more flexible return by local rail at your leisure. 

Dinner tonight is at leisure.

Overnight: MSocial Hotel Paris or similar, Paris (B)

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Paris to revisit a favourite corner of the city, take a final stroll along the Seine, or simply savour the rhythm of a slow start over a lazy breakfast at the hotel.

Later in the morning, we’ll transfer to Gare de Lyon and settle in for lunch at Le Train Bleu, the station’s storied Belle Époque restaurant. Beneath frescoed ceilings and gilded arches, this iconic dining room has welcomed generations of travellers and offers a fitting farewell to Paris before boarding the high-speed train to Lyon. 

On arrival in Lyon, nestled at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, we’ll transfer by coach to our hotel and enjoy time to settle in and freshen up. This evening, we’ll dine together at a nearby restaurant. 

Overnight: Hotel Carlton or similar, Lyon (B,L,D)

Lyon is renowned for its rich history, culinary excellence, and cultural significance. Founded by the Romans in 43 BCE, it boasts a UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre, featuring Renaissance architecture in Vieux Lyon, Roman ruins like the Fourvière amphitheater, and the grand Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière overlooking the city. 

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of Lyon’s old town, and its renaissance alleyways, hidden traboules, and quiet courtyards – a perfect way to orient yourself for a day at leisure exploring at your own pace.

The city thrives as a cultural hub with festivals like the world renowned Fête des Lumières, world-class museums, and a dynamic arts scene – you might like to explore the collections at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, set within a former abbey, or venture to the bold, angular Musée des Confluences, where science, culture and architecture intersect at the meeting point of the Rhône and Saône.

As the gastronomic capital of France, Lyon is home to Michelin-starred restaurants and traditional bouchons serving dishes like coq au vin and quenelles, so finding somewhere for dinner will be easy!

Overnight: Hotel Carlton or similar, Lyon (B)

This morning after an early breakfast, we’ll transfer by private coach to Tournon-Saint-Jean-de-Muzols to board the charming Train des Gorges, a heritage steam railway that winds through the rugged beauty of the Ardèche. This narrow-gauge railway, built in 1891, is the only passenger train still running in the region and provides a unique way to experience untouched natural landscapes, including steep cliffs, viaducts, tunnels, and the Doux River—an affluent of the Rhône. Steam locomotives have powered it since inception, preserving authentic 19th- and early 20th-century rail technology. With open carriages, vintage fittings, and steep-sided valleys unfolding at every turn, the journey evokes a time when travel was about the view, not the velocity.

At Colombier-le-Vieux, we’ll pause to watch the locomotive turned by hand on a historic turntable, before making the return journey to Tournon, where we’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch in town. We’ll make our way back to Lyon by private coach through vine-covered hills, pausing for a visit to a boutique winery and a tasting of classic Rhône varietals.

Return to Lyon in the late afternoon for an evening
at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Carlton or similar, Lyon (B,L)

After breakfast and check out, we’ll transfer to Lyon Part-Dieu station to begin our cross-border journey into Switzerland. We’ll travel by regional rail through the vine-covered slopes and quiet lakeshores of eastern France, with a change of trains in Geneva before continuing along the northern edge of Lake Geneva to Lausanne, a route famed for its expansive views and alpine clarity.

Set on steep hills rising from the lake, Lausanne offers a blend of old-world charm and quiet cosmopolitan energy. Grand staircases, leafy promenades, and funiculars knit the city together, while Gothic spires and 19th-century façades look down over the waterfront below.

On arrival, we’ll check in to our hotel and enjoy a couple of hours of down time before walking the short distance to dinner at a much-loved local restaurant, where Swiss tradition meets French finesse in an atmosphere of understated elegance.

Overnight: Lausanne Palace or similar, Lausanne (B,D)

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may wish to explore Lausanne’s elegant lakeside promenades, visit the Olympic Museum, or take in the city’s artistic side at the Collection de l’Art Brut. Alternatively, take a short train ride to nearby Vevey to stroll the flower-lined shores and visit the Blonay-Chamby Railway Museum with its collection of vintage locomotives overlooking the lake. Or venture just a little further to the postcard-worthy views in Montreaux, home to Chillon Castle, a medieval gem you can easily tour. It’s all just a 20-minute train ride away!

For those wishing to enjoy something a little more organised, join your tour leader on an optional ferry crossing into France to Évian-les-Bains, a town known for its Belle Époque architecture, thermal baths, and world-famous spring. Visit the Buvette Cachat and the original Source Cachat, explore the striking Palais Lumière or unwind in the historic thermal complex. The town’s charming funicular offers sweeping views across Lake Geneva, and lunch is at leisure in one of Évian’s inviting brasseries. Return to Lausanne by late afternoon. 

Dinner tonight is at leisure.

Overnight: Lausanne Palace or similar, Lausanne (B)

After breakfast and checkout, begin the day with a private guided visit to mudac, Lausanne’s museum of contemporary design and applied arts, located within the striking Plateforme 10 arts district. Once a cluster of railway service buildings, the site has been transformed into a bold cultural precinct that explores the intersection of form, function and imagination.

Following the tour, enjoy time to explore the surrounding galleries and have lunch at leisure nearby. In the afternoon, we’ll walk to Lausanne Station and board the EuroCity train to Milan. This stunning rail journey traces the curve of Lake Geneva before climbing into the Alps, passing through quiet towns and rocky valleys before entering the historic Simplon Tunnel, which has linked Switzerland with Italy since 1906.

On arrival in Milan, transfer to your hotel and have some time to settle in. This evening, we’ll enjoy dinner together at a nearby restaurant. 

Overnight: Rosa Grand or similar, Milano (B,D)

This morning after breakfast, start your exploration of Milan with a walking tour of the historical centre including a visit to the Duomo and its rooftop terraces. 

The rest of the day is then yours to explore this fascinating city on your own terms. Whether your interests lie in fashion, architecture, art or espresso-fuelled people-watching, the city offers layers to uncover. Browse the boutiques and galleries of Brera, stroll beneath the glass domes of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, or discover the modern energy of Porta Nuova. Art lovers may wish to explore the Italian masters at the Pinacoteca di Brera, or seek out quiet courtyards and local cafés in the city’s older quarters.

This evening, we’ll gather for an early dinner near the legendary Teatro alla Scala (La Scala) before attending a performance of Faust in one of the world’s most renowned opera houses. Directed by Charles Gounod and conducted by Daniele Rustioni, this acclaimed production revisits the timeless tale of a man who makes a fateful pact with the devil in his desperate pursuit of youth and passion. Blending soaring arias with moments of profound moral reflection, Faust remains one of the great pillars of 19th-century French opera. Opened in 1778, La Scala has hosted the premieres of Verdi, Puccini and countless other giants of opera and ballet. To attend a performance here is not only a cultural highlight, but a step into living history.

Overnight: Rosa Grand or similar, Milano (B,D)

After a lazy breakfast and checking out, we’ll transfer to Milano Centrale to board the Frecciarossa high-speed train for the scenic journey to Florence. As we leave Lombardy and cross into Tuscany, watch for the rooftops of Florence to appear like a painted scene outside the carriage windows. 

Our early afternoon arrival will give you some time after check in to get out and about exploring the city’s Renaissance streets and quiet courtyards.

We’ll regroup in the early evening to enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Duomo – the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s crowning architectural landmark. This private visit offers a rare opportunity to experience the Duomo in near silence, long after the crowds have gone. Guests may choose to climb the 463 steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome (narrow and steep in places, but rewarded with extraordinary views) or remain on the mid-level terraces, which offer an elevated perspective and a closer look at the cathedral’s remarkable design.

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Santa Maria Novella or similar, Florence (B,D)

This morning after a quick snack, we’ll head off for a very special treat – a private early opening visit to the famous Accademia Gallery, arriving well before the doors open to the public. Having the space to engage with Michelangelo’s David without the crowds is an experience few visitors to Florence are afforded. Your guide will share insights not only into the magnificent sculpture itself, but also into the artistic and cultural world that shaped it and the legacy it continues to cast.

On our way back to the hotel for ‘proper breakfast’, we’ll visit the Museum of the Medici Chapels, an extraordinary complex that serves as both a mausoleum and a testament to the artistic legacy of Florence’s most powerful dynasty. Beneath the magnificent dome of the Cappella dei Principi lie generations of the Medici family, surrounded by walls of precious marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. Continue to Michelangelo’s Secret Room, a small, hidden chamber discovered in 1975, where the master is believed to have taken refuge during a period of political unrest. Its walls are adorned with charcoal sketches attributed to Michelangelo himself.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Florence at leisure. You may wish to revisit favourite masterpieces at the Uffizi, cross the Ponte Vecchio in search of goldsmiths and views, scour the famous Firenze markets, or simply linger over a long lunch in a shaded piazza. 

Tonight, dinner is at leisure for you to explore the culinary hotspots of Florence, perhaps dining at a local favourite in Piazza Santo Spirito.

Overnight: Hotel Santa Maria Novella or similar, Florence (B)

After a leisurely morning, we’ll step out of the city’s historic centre and into the kitchen of a Florentine villa for a private cooking class. Guided by a local chef, you’ll prepare a traditional Tuscan meal using fresh seasonal ingredients, then sit down to enjoy the results over a relaxed shared lunch in the warm, informal surrounds of the villa.

The afternoon and evening is yours at leisure. You might browse the artisan workshops and boutiques of the Oltrarno, visit one of Florence’s quieter chapels, or return to the Duomo precinct for another perspective on the city’s layered history – it’s entirely up to you.

Overnight: Hotel Santa Maria Novella or similar, Florence (B,L)

Enjoy a lazy morning before checking out and transferring to Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station. Here, we’ll board the Frecciarossa high-speed train and travel south through the Tuscan countryside to Rome, where ancient history and modern life converge.

Upon arrival at Roma Termini in the mid afternoon, we’ll transfer to our hotel and check in for a few hours of leisure before dinner. You might like to begin exploring the city’s iconic landmarks, linger in a quiet piazza with an espresso or aperitivo, or simply take in the rhythm of the Eternal City from your hotel room window.

Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight: VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel or similar, Rome (B,D)

This morning is yours to explore more of Rome on your own – if you’ve not had the chance to visit before, it’s easy to jump on a guided tour of the famed archaeological site of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Maybe the Pantheon – one of best preserved monuments of ancient Rome is of interest. Whatever your fancy, there’s time this morning to indulge it.

In the mid-afternoon, we’ll regroup at the hotel for a privately guided walk through the shaded paths and formal gardens of the Villa Borghese – Rome’s most elegant public park and once the private estate of the influential Borghese family – to the Galleria Borghese, one of the city’s most exceptional small museums. Here, we’ll enjoy a privately guided tour of master works by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian, all displayed in richly decorated rooms reflecting the grandeur of 17th-century Rome.

Dinner tonight will be at leisure so you can keep exploring this magical city.

Overnight: VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel or similar, Rome (B)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll delve into Rome’s hidden layers on a privately guided tour to explore a city beneath the city. Beginning at the Basilica of San Clemente, where centuries of faith and civilisation lie stacked one upon the other, we’ll descend from the 12th-century church to a 4th-century basilica, and further still to the shadowed chambers of a 1st-century Roman home and a temple to Mithras, god of light and initiation. We’ll continue to the Case Romane del Celio, a lesser-known gem tucked beneath a peaceful monastery on the Caelian Hill, where remarkably preserved frescoes and domestic spaces offer a rare glimpse into everyday life in ancient Rome.

Back above ground, we’ll make a stop at the Mercato Di Testaccio, often referred to as the best street food market in Rome, for lunch at leisure. The rest of the afternoon is yours – you can return to the hotel or savour a few more hours roaming the city. For those with a continuing interest in the story of European travel, there’s the option of joining your Tour Leader for a visit to the Museo Ferroviario di Porta San Paolo, a small but atmospheric railway museum housed in one of Rome’s early 20th-century terminals.

This evening, we’ll gather for a celebratory farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel or similar, Rome (B,D)

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. Your private car will transfer you to your departure point, either the airport or station. 

If you’d like to have a couple of days in Rome after the tour ends, please contact our office on 1300 800 977 for assistance in organising this.

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