Highlights

  • Travel on Europe’s most luxurious train from London to Verona
  • Enjoy pianist-accompanied drinks in the bar car
  • Indulge with multi-course fine dining
  • Stay in an Art-Nouveau icon on the shores of Lake Como
  • Explore with private transfers throughout

This is your chance to relive all the grandeur of the Grand Tours of yesteryear, once embarked on by the British landed gentry. You’ll start by travelling on the world’s most iconic train, enjoying multi-course fine dining and sipping bar-car cocktails as you wind from Paris, through France and over the Alps to Verona. Here, you’ll be met by a private driver and whisked to your accommodation on the shores of Lake Como. Staying in a 20th-century grand dame, it’s the chance to explore historic villas and fishing-village idylls before returning for some private-beach relaxation in the sun.


Day 1

UK to the City of Light

Your journey begins with a Eurostar hop across the Channel, travelling from London’s St Pancras International to Gare du Nord in the heart of Paris. Do let us know if you’d prefer to fly, however, as our specialists will happily arrange travel from any regional UK airport with flights to the French capital.

On arrival, make your way to your city-centre accommodation – a boutique spa gem packed full of Parisian sophistication and ideally positioned for you to make the most of your stay in the City of Lights. Take a stroll along the banks of the Seine, pause for coffee in Montmartre or dine in style at your hotel.


Lunch & Dinner included

The Belmond British Pullman

The Belmond British Pullman

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Cabin, Venice Simplon-Orient Express

Cabin onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express


Day 2

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Wake late, head for a delicious breakfast then enjoy a free day in Paris. Perhaps you’ll take in the sights, head out for a lazy, wine-paired lunch, or simply relax with a treatment at your hotel’s superb spa. Whichever you choose, as the day ticks by the excitement will build towards your evening departure on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Indeed, once you’ve boarded those iconic blue-and-gold carriages, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back to another time. From the Art-Deco fineries of the bar car to the wood-panelled stylings of the cabins and suites, every detail speaks of the glamour of travel’s golden age. Tonight, you’ll be treated to the first of your included meals – a multi-course dining experience inspired by the train’s route and served by attentive staff in the ever-so-elegant restaurant car. Then, after a night-cap, you’ll retire to your accommodation as the train heads ever onward towards the Alps.


Dinner (Deluxe) included


Day 3

Into Verona

With your compartment converted to plush berths as you dined the night before, you’ll awake well rested this morning, enjoying views of the Swiss Alps and a Continental breakfast served in the intimacy of your cabin. As the scenery levels out, you’ll have some time to admire rural Italy before it’s time for the next of your indulgent meals – a three-course lunch.

Then, arriving in Verona, consider pausing to explore its pretty piazzas and thousand-year-old Roman amphitheatre before your private transfer whisks you on to Lake Como. It’s a scenic drive, bringing you along the lake’s mountain-backed shores to arrive at your opulent hotel.

Stay: Villa d'Este, Lake Como

Breakfast & Lunch included

Breakfast, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Breakfast, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Arena di Verona, Verona, Italy

Arena di Verona


Days 4 – 6

Relaxing on Lake Como

You’ll have four nights to rest up in the lap of luxury, staying in an Art Nouveau icon that, with a century-old history, has won high praise from legendary actress Greta Garbo. Indeed, it showcases the best views over the glittering  Lake Como from an array of superb facilities.

Expect everything from fine-dining terraces and private-balcony, lake-view rooms to a private beach, infinity spa and even a pool floating in the lake. But, you’ll also want to explore the nearby medieval castles, church towns and impossibly grand 18th-century villas. The most evocative way to see it all? From a Venetian water taxi, departing from your hotel’s private marina.

Stay: Villa d'Este, Lake Como

Breakfast included

Villa d'Este, Lake Como

Villa d'Este, Lake Como

Villa d'Este, Lake Como

Villa d'Este, Lake Como


Day 7

Fashionista's Milan & depart for UK

After a last indulgent breakfast, a final private transfer will see you the short distance to Milan. While you’ll be brought to the airport for your flight home, consider lingering a little longer to take in the city’s stunning Gothic cathedral, luxury boutiques and, yes, Da Vinci’s Last Supper.

Breakfast included


About the itinerary

"Perhaps the ultimate mini-moon, here I've combined the world's greatest rail journey with truly romantic cities and staggeringly beautiful landscapes. After multi-course dining and champagne indulgences on board the train (for the ultimate treat, I'd recommend an upgrade to a Grand Suite), a stay at a luxury Lake Como hotel right on its glittering edge is the perfect way to relax – after a day spent strolling through Verona, of course. There's also time to explore stylish Milan – which is sure to end your holiday in the most glamorous of ways."

Andy Austen

Destination Specialist

Pricing information

Guide price from £6,890 pp incl. flights

Mar / Apr / Nov / Dec 2024 from: £6,890 pp
May - Oct 2024 from: £9,520 pp

Includes:

  • London St Pancras to Paris on Eurostar in Business Premier Class
  • 1nt accommodation in Hotel Bowmann, Paris on a BB basis
  • Travel from Paris to Verona on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express through the beautiful Swiss Alps including selected meals prepared by onboard chefs
  • Private transfer from Verona station to Lake Como
  • 4nts accommodation in the Villa d'Este, Lake Como on a BB basis 
  • Private transfer Lake Como to Milan
  • One way flight from Milan to London

The Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express operates between  Mar and Nov 



Enquire