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Europe

Heart of Europe By Rail: Paris to Rome

 
You are viewing the 2026 itinerary. Select your departure year
20262027
Duration
11 days
From per person
$4,495
Tour code
PRG26
Mobility Rating 3
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From a hub of French culture to the Swiss Alps and the center of the ancient world, uncover Europe's world-class cities and their vast offerings

Discover landmark-lined rivers, alpine peaks and iconic cities while delving into the heart of Europe, relishing its best features from many perspectives. This vacation is a showcase of culture, with something new in each destination.

Begin under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, cruising the Seine and touring its sites before venturing into the Swiss Alps, staying in the medieval city of Lucerne. After cruising Lake Lucerne and climbing to the summit of Mount Pilatus, we journey through the highlights of Italy, exploring from Venice in the East to ancient Rome.

Unforgettable Experiences

Dine at the famous Il Borgo Machiavelli
Dine at the famous Il Borgo Machiavelli
Formerly the home of Renaissance philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, this “house museum” is also the oldest restaurant in Tuscany and our setting for a tour, dining experience and drinks amidst stunning surroundings.
Explore the past in ancient Rome
Explore the past in ancient Rome
Step back to the days of gladiators and the wealthy Roman Empire while on a walking tour in Rome, which includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the city's famous piazzas.
Admire Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel
Admire Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel
Revel in the opportunity to see the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s "The Creation of Adam," and other masterpieces housed in the Vatican Museums while touring Vatican City.
Look upon the Swiss Alps from Pilatus Kulm
Look upon the Swiss Alps from Pilatus Kulm
Enjoy a journey to the summit of Mt. Pilatus, beginning with a cruise across Lake Lucerne before a ride aboard the world’s steepest cog railway to an astounding mountaintop observation deck.
Cruise Paris’ romantic Seine
Cruise Paris’ romantic Seine
Indulge in a dinner with a view as we cruise the River Seine in Paris, weaving through the city's center and past famous attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1A scenic welcome to Paris

Your exploration of Europe's remarkable sights and scenery begins today in the French capital, Paris. Beloved for its fashion, culture, cuisine and history, the "City of Love" puts an array of experiences within reach.

Make your own way to our hotel for check-in on arrival today. You can begin getting to know the neighborhood, or relax with a glass of wine at a sidewalk café, before meeting the Tour Manager and your travel group in the hotel lobby this evening.

Together, we uncover the beautiful sights of Paris in the most relaxed way possible, from a dinner cruise on the Seine. Starting at the base of the Eiffel Tower, our stunning journey showcases the buildings that line the river. Sip an aperitif as we set out along this romantic waterway, then savor course after course as we sail under historic bridges and the cityscape reveals views of iconic locations, including the magnificent, newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral. Overnight Paris.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2Touring Paris’ iconic sights

Brimming with history and well-known landmarks, Paris is brought to life on a guided coach tour after breakfast. With a front-row seat to this beautiful city's iconic destinations, we take in Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the Opera Garnier. Paris' most famous boulevard is the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, and at one end, we find the Arc de Triomphe, a national monument.

After our tour, you are free to continue exploring the city at leisure. Maybe visit some of the world's most famous paintings, including the Mona Lisa, at the Louvre, or wander through the public gardens of the Tuileries or Jardins du Luxembourg. The quaint cobbled streets of Montmartre reveal a bygone Paris with their many galleries, while the Place du Tertre bustles with artists and restaurant-goers. Completed in 1914, the striking, white-domed Basilica of the Sacré Coeur is located here and boasts incredible views from the square in front.

Whichever area of Paris you explore, you have access to an excellent selection of restaurants in which to enjoy the city's authentic cuisine tonight. Overnight Paris.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY3Into the heart of the Swiss Alps

A day of scenic travel awaits as we leave Paris after breakfast, heading by rail for Switzerland.

Relax aboard the train as our route takes us through picturesque French countryside dotted with small villages and slate-roofed churches. In Basel, just beyond the French-Swiss border, we switch trains and continue into the heart of this mountainous country. Our destination is Lucerne, a beautiful old town nestled on the banks of the lake that shares its name. Surrounded by snowy peaks, Lucerne has an enchanting medieval center with fairytale alpine architecture. It is in the Old Town that we find our hotel. Located a short distance from the train station, this establishment has been in business in this location for more than 500 years.

After checking in, you have time to settle in or explore Lucerne's charming center. Connecting the historic quarters on either side of the Reuss River, the city's covered footbridges, Chapel Bridge and Spreuer Bridge, date to the Middle Ages.

This evening, we gather for a group dinner in the hotel restaurant. Overnight Lucerne.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY4Stunning views from Mount Pilatus

Embracing our striking surroundings after breakfast today, we uncover the beauty of the Swiss Alps from the water and a mountain summit.

A morning cruise along Lake Lucerne unveils picturesque views of the Alps, particularly Mt. Pilatus and the Stanserhorn, and the idyllic blue water they surround. The ancient towns on the lakeshore add an idyllic touch to the vistas. Disembarking in Alpnachstad, we continue on the steepest cogwheel railway in the world to the top of Mt. Pilatus.

Traveling at a gradient of up to 48 percent, the cherry-red carriages pass through tunnels and showcase the changing alpine landscapes during the 45-minute journey. Once at the top, the views are breathtaking. More than 70 mountain peaks are visible on a clear day, and you can soak them in from the observation deck or one of the hiking trails.

A mixture of cable cars and cogwheel railway transports us down the mountainside, before we return to Lucerne by rail. Back at our lakeside base, you are free to continue exploring and find a place to enjoy dinner independently. Overnight Lucerne.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY5To the “Floating City” of Venice by rail

Traveling from the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland to the canals of Venice, today's journey delivers exquisite scenery throughout. After a short rail transfer, we board a train to Italy, passing through the 35.5-mile Gotthard Base Tunnel on our way to Venice.

The enchanting "Floating City" has long been one of the most attractive and popular locations in Italy. Its beautiful buildings, many of which are more than 800 years old, are spread among 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Even today, getting around this city is most easily done by boat or gondola using its extensive canal system - or you could explore on foot, crossing bridge after ornate bridge.

On arrival this afternoon, we transfer to our hotel on Venice Lido* by boat. Once you have settled in, there is free time to enjoy our hotel's amenities or explore our surroundings. Located on Venice's beachfront, the hotel has plenty of spaces to relax with Adriatic Sea views before dinner. Overnight Venice.

*Please note: On May 17th and September 6th departures, we instead stay at a four-star hotel on Murano.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY6Exploring atmospheric Venice

This morning, we are introduced to the captivating landmarks of Venice during a guided tour. Setting out after breakfast, we travel by boat from the Lido directly to the cultural heart of Venice, Saint Mark's Square. This historic piazza is surrounded by magnificent buildings, and an expert guide accompanies us on a two-hour walking tour of the city's streets.

Starting from the less-visited backstreets, we view the exteriors of the house where the composer Vivaldi was born and the church where he was baptized. We also see the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George before circling back to Saint Mark's. After passing the famous prison and the evocative Bridge of Sighs, we see the Doge's Palace, Saint Mark's Basilica, and the world's oldest coffee house, Caffè Florian.

The rest of the day is free for you to continue sightseeing at your own pace. When you are ready to return to the hotel, you can transfer back independently using the Vaporetto boat service. Overnight Venice.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY7Uncovering the Renaissance gems of Florence

Venice's Baroque palazzos and dreaming spires disappear behind us this morning as we travel by train into central Italy. A showcase of Italian landscapes lies ahead as the train passes small villages and great cities, eventually making its way into the rolling hills and colorful countryside of Tuscany.

On arrival in Florence, we dive straight into the top sights of this noble city on a walking tour. Known as the "Jewel of the Renaissance," Florence is filled with art and history, which we uncover while exploring renowned sites and beautiful city squares. We pass landmarks, including the terracotta-tiled exterior of the famous Duomo, the medieval Piazza della Signoria and the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery. Our tour ends at the Ponte Vecchio - an iconic bridge over the Arno River that contains rows of shops on either side.

The evening is free to continue exploring this fascinating city. Maybe find a restaurant in which to sample Steak Florentine, the region's most iconic dish, or enjoy a gelato or glass of wine in an atmospheric piazza. Overnight Florence.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY8An authentic Tuscan dining experience

Today is yours to continue exploring Florence independently. You could enter the Uffizi Gallery to gaze upon world-famous works of art (booking in advance is advised). Alternatively, visit the Galleria dell'Accademia to view Michelangelo's original statue of David.

Wandering through the streets of Florence is a delight, as Renaissance frescoes can be found in various churches and palazzos, whereas savoring an Italian coffee in a historic square provides ample opportunities for soaking up Tuscan life.

Later today, a coach collects us from our hotel for a drive through the beautiful countryside to the oldest restaurant in Tuscany, the Renaissance-era Il Borgo Machiavelli. Once the residence of famous political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, the building is now a "home museum." We look around the museum and the fascinating cellar of this historical home before indulging in drinks and dinner in a glorious alfresco setting. Overnight Florence.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY9Arrival in the “Eternal City” of Rome

Leaving Florence after breakfast, a scenic train journey reveals Tuscan views of vineyards, olive groves and romantic villages en route to Italy's ancient capital.

Arriving in Rome, we check into our hotel before immersing ourselves in a city whose history spans millennia, beginning with the ancient Romans. Our walking tour starts outside the Colosseum, where we experience up-close views of the amphitheater's exterior. Our tour continues past other iconic sites, including the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, and enjoy a stop at a local coffee shop before our tour concludes in Piazza Navona, home to some of the city's most impressive fountains.

The evening is yours to enjoy the city's ambiance on your own. You could climb the Spanish Steps to wander through the immaculate gardens at Villa Borghese Park. Rome's culinary scene is just as captivating as its history, and the city offers many eateries serving local favorites, such as pizza, pasta carbonara and Cacio e Pepe. Overnight Rome.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY10The art and history of Vatican City

A holy city revered by lovers of art, religion, and architecture alike, Vatican City is where we begin our day. A four-hour guided tour reveals the wonders of the Holy See and the center of the Roman Catholic religion.

Prepare to be in awe as we venture through the Sistine Chapel and set our sights upon the world's most well-known fresco, Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam." Our visit also includes admission to the Vatican Museums, including the Gallery of Maps, as we explore the various artifacts and significant artworks housed throughout the museums. We also have a chance to view the grand Pinecone Courtyard, the centerpiece of which is a 13-foot-tall bronze pinecone sculpture dating to the second century.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Rome further, perhaps strolling amongst Roman ruins, uncovering the gems of the city's galleries and museums, or relaxing in a shaded piazza. This evening, we visit a local restaurant for a farewell dinner as a group, savoring traditional cuisine while celebrating our extraordinary expedition. Overnight Rome.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY11Tour conclusion

A continent of iconic cities and spellbinding scenery, Europe has set an incredible stage for us to explore famous and spectacular destinations. Beginning in France, we uncovered the capital on a guided tour and on a dinner cruise along the Seine. Moving on to Switzerland, spectacular alpine wonders were revealed as we sailed along Lake Lucerne before boarding the world's steepest cogwheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus.

Our final stop was in Italy, where we marveled at Venice's grand palazzos and picture-perfect canals before admiring the Renaissance treasures of Tuscany in Florence. Arriving in Rome, we experienced history come to life as we strolled among relics of ancient Rome and basked in the beauty of the Sistine Chapel.

After breakfast this morning, your tour of Europe's highlights reaches its conclusion. Making your own way to Rome's international airport, you can begin your journey home.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotels

Hotel Indigo, Florence 
Hotel Indigo, Florence 
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Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann, Lucerne
Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann, Lucerne
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Hotel Auteuil Tour Eiffel, Paris
Hotel Auteuil Tour Eiffel, Paris
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Grand Hotel Palatino
Grand Hotel Palatino, Rome
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Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort, Venice
Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort, Venice
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Hyatt Centric Murano, Venice
Hyatt Centric Murano, Venice
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Enhance your holiday

Extend your stay

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Vacations By Rail would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.