
Art at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna
Vienna is a delightfully graceful and elegant city with some of the most spectacular palaces
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Whether you immerse yourself in the city’s cultural and architectural opulence, soak up the sophistication of the Florentine people or journey among Tuscany’s medieval towns and landscapes, this short break enables you to really savour Italy’s renaissance capital.
6 night holiday by First Class rail travelling on daytime trains via Zurich and Montreux, including overnight stays in double rooms at the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) in Zurich and at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux and 4 nights in Florence at the Hotel Rapallo (4 star) from £1,395 per person in low-season (featured itinerary).
Mid-season – from £1,595 per person
High-season – from £1,695 per person
Alternatively, you can travel on daytime trains via Turin and Milan. Please contact us for further details if you prefer this option.
Your holiday begins as you stroll into beautifully restored London St. Pancras station.
Take your time to appreciate the splendour of magnificent glass roof, then sit back, relax and watch the countryside swish past as you travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph.
Enjoy the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class (Eurostar’s 1st class for leisure travellers).
On arrival at the Gare du Nord your private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland.
You travel through the undulating Swiss countryside to attractive lakeside city of Zurich. Here you spend tonight at the comfortable, welcoming and highly-rated Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).
After breakfast why not make a whistle-stop tour of Zurich?
Most of the city’s sights lie within the compact area on either side of the River Limmat, between the main station (Hauptbahnhof) and Lake Zurich.
The churches and burgher houses of the Old Town are clustered here, as are the elegant shops along Bahnhofstrasse.
The baroque Rathaus (Town Hall), Zurich’s most impressive churches – the Grossmünster, Fraumünster – and the city’s oldest, St Peterskirche (its clock face is the largest in Europe), all lie within a short distance of the River Limmat, near the point where it opens onto the lake.
Then make your way back to Zurich station, for the scenic journey along the impressive Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps.
The line transports you through picturesque scenery, climbing to the foot of the snow-capped Alps and through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest tunnel and a marvellous feat of engineering.
You soon emerge and continue across the Swiss border and through the outstanding Italian Lakes before arriving in Milan.
On arrival at Milan’s imposing art-deco station change trains and join the flagship Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service to Florence.
Sit back and watch the world go by or simply revel in the romanticism of rail travel across Europe.
On arrival at Firenze Santa Maria Novella station stroll to the welcoming Hotel Rapallo (4 star) just 900 metres from the station and your hotel for the next four nights.
Enjoy three full days to visit all of Florence’s world-renowned attractions.
Immerse yourself in the culture of Italy’s renaissance capital with visits to the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio or the celebrated Duomo.
Enjoy the culinary delights of the city or venture further afield to explore the beauty of Tuscany in Siena with its lovely shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and UNESCO world heritage medieval centre.
Perhaps journey westwards to Pisa to marvel at the world-famous leaning tower or stunning Lucca, its medieval heart is an ideal size for discovery on foot.
Whether you prefer the more rural appeal of the Chianti district it is good to know that all these attractive options are easily accessible by train.
You could even visit the eternal city of Rome – barely more than an hour and a half away by train.
As you board your First Class carriage on the Eurostar Italia service for Milan it is time to bid farewell to Florence and Tuscany.
You travel north through the Apennines, changing trains in Milan, to join the comfortable Eurocity service as you head in to the Alps for the spectacular journey up the Rhône Valley and through the Simplon Pass.
From here you continue to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva for your overnight stay at the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station.
Take a stroll alongside Lake Geneva and visit this elegant lakeside town which is home to the famous jazz festival.
Stretch your legs this morning or board the trolley bus for the short journey to the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally).
As you marvel at the spectacular setting, twixt sparkling lake and breathtaking mountains, spare a thought for the prisoners of this 13th century castle, considered to be one of the best-preserved in Europe.
Then make your way back to Montreux station. From here you join the Inter Regio train to Lausanne, where you change trains and board the TGV to whisk you back to Paris.
Watch the rolling hills flash past or reminisce on the wonders of the past few days.
Your taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord and the last leg of your journey.
Here you join the Eurostar and let the train take the strain as you stretch out and savour the light meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service.
At 186mph the landscape is a blur at times, though memories abide as you return to London St. Pancras International and the final leg of your journey home.
ZURICH
The stylish and intimate Hotel Helmhaus Zurich (4 star), located in the Old Town dates from the 14th century, and is a minute’s walk from both the Helmhaus Art Museum and tram stop. The air-conditioned, individually decorated rooms have minimalist modern furnishings and oak wood parquet floors, plus free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars; tea and coffeemaking facilities are available on request. A complimentary hot and cold breakfast buffet is offered daily in an artsy dining room. Other amenities include loaner iPads and seasonal welcome drinks.
FLORENCE
The family run Hotel Rapallo (4 star) has been recently refurbished inside and out to create a functional, modern, and welcoming design. Set in a classic stone building, the hotel is located a short walk from the historic centre and the sights of the Duomo di Firenze cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery. The bright rooms provide free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and coffeemakers. Some upgraded rooms have balconies or terraces. In-room breakfast is available. Other amenities include a cafe/bar and a refined guest lounge.
MONTREUX
The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) is a traditional Belle-Époque hotel, originally built in 1870 and located right in the centre of Montreux, just a few steps from the railway station. The hotel has 140 rooms and benefits from fabulous views of Lake Geneva and the Alps from its summer terrace. All the comfortable en-suite rooms in this stylish hotel feature air conditioning, TV, minibar, radio and telephone.
Throughout the year and tailor-made to suit your holiday needs
For information and booking Tel: 01347 82 52 92 or email info@planetrail.co.uk
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