Orient Express: Paris - Rome

Arrival
Welcome to Rome - one of the most charming and heritage rich cities of Italy. Upon arrival, you are met by your private driver, who transfers you to the hotel for the check-in.

The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax after the trip.

Highlights of Rome
Meet your guide at the hotel lobby and embark on a panoramic walking city tour to see the most famous attractions and hidden treasures of the Italian capital.

You see the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, as well as witness the masterpieces by Bernini, Borromini, and many others.

After the tour, your guide takes you back to the hotel and you have the evening at leisure 

Vatican Sightseeing  
Meet your guide and have a transfer to the walled enclave and the world’s smallest independent state - Vatican*.

When inside the Vatican, you visit private apartments of Julius II, Pinecone Courtyard, Gallery of the Maps, Gallery of the Tapestries and Gallery of Candelabra.

Next, you proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where you have enough time to admire Michelangelo's famous frescoes and learn about the intense relationship between Pope Julius II and Michelangelo that drove the artist to create the greatest work of art the world has ever known.

Then your tour continues in the vast open spaces of St. Peter’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. As you step into the basilica, you'll be awestruck by the grandeur of its immense, ornately decorated interiors.

The ending point of your tour is St. Peter’s Square, where you can admire Michelangelo's Dome and the gorgeous colonnades designed by Bernini.

Upon your return to the hotel, you have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the beauty of Rome on your own.

Discovering Ancient Rome
Meet your guide to discover the famous ancient treasures of the Eternal City on a walking tour.

Your first stop today is the iconic Roman Forum, situated on low ground between the Palatine and Capitoline hills, it was the key political, ritual, and civic center of ancient Rome and can be traced 3 thousand years back. Today you can see columns and remains of ancient temples, archs and buildings, such as the Temple of Caesar and the Arch of Septimius Severus, as well as the adjacent Palatine Hill, which was the site of the city’s first settlements.

The next place you discover today is Rome's hallmark site - the Colosseum. Originally known by the name of Flavius amphitheater, it was the biggest and most imposing building of its kind in the Roman world, designed as an arena for the fights of Roman gladiators and could hold up to 70 thousand spectators.

After the tour, your guide takes you back to the hotel and you have the evening at leisure.

Departure 

Following breakfast in your hotel, you check out and meet your private driver for a transfer to the railway station.

Arrival in Florence
Welcome to Florence! Upon arrival, your private driver transfers you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax after the trip.

Florence Sightseeing 
Meet with your private guide and go on a comprehensive walking tour of Florence's highlights.

Today's program includes exploration of the Piazza del Duomo with a visit to the Baptistery dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

As you proceed to the main square of the city - Piazza della Signoria - you pass through the heart of the historical center with its landmark sites like Piazza della Repubblica and the Strozzi Palace. Stroll down via Tornabuoni, one of the most beautiful streets of the city, famous for its fine shops.

During the tour we also visit the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's famous colossal statue of David, a must-see in Florence.

After the tour return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at your own leisure.

Chianti Premium Wine Tour 

The Tuscan region is home to a number of charming wineries that will delight you with the help of your English-speaking guide and private driver. During the tour you will have the opportunity to visit organic, family-run wineries, as well as having an authentic Italian lunch at the most famous restaurant in Tuscany - Dario Cecchini, famous for its delicious meat dishes. Experience the best of what Italy has to offer on a food & wine tour in Tuscany and feel the unique charm of this country!

*Note, the tour starts at 10:00 am

*Note: Food is not supplied by our company and cannot be customised. The menu and food selection is totally the discretion of the supplier.

Departure
Following breakfast in your hotel, you check out and meet your private driver for the transfer.

Arrival
Welcome to Milan, the fashion capital of Italy! Upon arrival to Milan, you are met by your driver and taken to your downtown hotel.
There are no planned activities for you for today day, so you can relax and recover after the flight. If you would like to do some looking around, we suggest visiting the world-famous shopping and fashion avenue, Quadrilatero Della Moda.

Milan Sightseeing & Departure 

Following breakfast, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and have a 3-hour walking tour of Milan to learn more about the city’s history and reputation as a fashion capital.

You start with visiting  world-known Milan Duomo, the Gothic cathedral and the highest sight in the city which took about six centuries to build. Then you walk through the nearby-located Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and reach La Scala Theatre. Prepare to be wowed by the prestigious Milan opera house (no entrance is included).

You continue with the picturesque Brera district to feel the historical atmosphere of the city. Explore the public areas, with stories of its 15th-century owners ringing in your ears. After all, you make a stop at Castello Sforzesco to see history and style combined with Milanese flair.

*Please note: Milan Cathedral is a sacred religious site thus the dress code for visiting it is applied just as when you visit any church in Italy: no shorts – no uncovered knees and shoulders, no backpacks.

*Note: The unique treasure of Milan - Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary fresco “The Last Supper” located in the church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie is not included in the city tour due to its limited availability. Please, ask your travel specialist about available tickets for your tour date.

 Later meet your private driver for a transfer to the railway station. 

Arrival in Venice 

Welcome to Venice - one of the most charming cities of Italy. Upon arrival, you have a private water-taxi transfer to the hotel for the check-in. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax after the trip.

Venice Sightseeing 

Meet your private guide in the lobby and enjoy a wonderful walking city tour of all the must-see places.

During the tour you visit St. Mark's Basilica, where you can see the astonishing Pala D'Oro altar as well as the Treasury with numerous exhibits surviving from Venice's notorious raid on Constantinople back in 1204. Next you go up to Loggia dei Cavalli to enjoy the best panoramic views of St. Mark's Square. Next on your list is the tour of the Doges Palace that includes crossing the Bridge of Sighs, visiting the old prisons and lushly decorated chambers of the Palace.

Your tour will finish in the city center. However, you can ask your guide for assistance if you need help getting to your hotel.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Embarkation

Feel the thrill of anticipation at Santa Lucia Station as your journey begins. Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and make yourself comfortable in your cabin. Luxurious upholstery, polished marquetry and soft lighting set the scene for the glamour to come.

Sit down to a delicious three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored dining cars. Through the window, the changing scenery takes in the majestic Italian Dolomites and, after Innsbruck mountains, the spectacular Arlberg route. During a relaxing afternoon, browse our onboard boutique for exclusive, elegant gifts or simply unwind in your cabin where a French goûter, served by your steward, makes an indulgent treat.

Soon it’s time to dress for dinner. Whet your appetite with an aperitif in Bar Car ‘3674’ before making your way to one of the dining cars. Here, the imagination of celebrated chef Jean Imbert influences both the décor and the menu. Seasonal specialities are accompanied by exceptional wines. After dinner, a lively ambience awaits back at the bar. Listen to the resident pianist play the baby grand as you sip sublime and classic cocktails.

Arrival to Paris
Unwind in your cabin this morning as your steward serves a French breakfast. Continue absorbing the scenic French countryside as you savour an exquisite brunch in the restaurant. As the train pulls into Paris, get ready to disembark for your onward explorations and adventures. 

As they say, Paris is always a good idea! Bonjour and welcome to the most romantic city in the world and the charming capital of France - Paris!

Upon arrival, your driver meets you and takes you to your centrally located hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free so you can start exploring the magnificent city center on your own, dine in one of the local restaurants or take a good rest in your comfortable room.

Exploring Crème de la Crème of Louvre & the Latin Quarter
After breakfast your guide meets you in the hotel lobby and takes you on a full-day walking tour of the two famous districts of Paris: Latin Quarter (5th) and Marais (4th). Your tour of the fabulous capital of France begins with the UNESCO Site Heritage - Banks of Seine river.

Continue to the Latin quarter and taste a Bohemian charm of the medieval narrow streets and stone-paved alleyways. Reach the Ile de la Cite where you see the world’s most famous gothic cathedral - Notre Dame. Walk through the Ile Saint Louis and get closer to more sights: Hôtel de Ville (city hall), Fountain of the Innocents and Palais Royal.

You then proceed with the tour of the Louvre Museum, one of the world’s largest museums, taking advantage of your skip-the-line tickets. You see the crème de la crème collections and the most celebrated works of art, ancient artifacts, Greek sculptures, including the famous Venus di Milo, Winged Victory, and masterpieces of Michelangelo, Eugène Delacroix, Paolo Veroneseand the world’s most enigmatic Portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. After the tour you return to the hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Tour of the Champs-Elysees and Eiffel Tower Districts
Following breakfast your guide meets you in the hotel lobby and takes you on a full-day walking tour of the Champs-Elysees (8th) and Eiffel Tower (7th) districts.

Today you start with outstanding Places Vendome and Concorde and proceed to the Tuileries Gardens - the oldest park in the city. You get to see one of the most recognizable landmarks with its magnificent glass-domed roof - Grand Palais and smaller but similar Petit Palais, built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900. Step on the most ornate and extravagant bridge in the city - Pont Alexandre III and continue to the Place du Trocadero which is the vantage point of the Eiffel Tower*.

After the tour you may return to the hotel or take an optional boat cruise along the Seine river.

*Note: Tickets to the Eiffel Tower are not included in the city tour due to limited availability. Please, ask your travel specialist about available tickets for your tour date if you would like to include it. Upon request, the tickets can be arranged for a visit to the Eiffel Tower after the guided tour. Your guide would escort you to the Eiffel Tower, where you would have free time on your own for the visit.

Tour of Versailles Magnifique 
Following breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide in the lobby and have a 6-hour tour to the famous residence of French kings. Together with your experienced guide, you take a short train ride to taste what it means to be a local, and appear in the heart of Versailles in just 1 hour*.

You see the Palace of Versailles and admire its grandiose opulence from the inside. You get to walk through its well-known Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed and see the actual rooms of the most extravagant king of France, Louis the XIV. You also discover the world famous Le Notre gardens. After the tour, you are taken back to your hotel and have the evening at leisure.

*Round trip by the train can be replaced with a private driver. Refer to your travel specialist for more details.

Departure
Following breakfast in your hotel you check out, meet your driver and continue your journey.