Rome to Zurich by Rail | Self Guided Tour | 13 Days

DAY 1:                                   ROME 

Arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport and transfer to the hotel by a private car. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Overnight in Rome. 

 
DAY 2:                                   ROME 
Breakfast at the hotel, then another day dedicated to discovering the city. Today you join our Imperial Tour of Rome, to closely admire the monuments of the Roman Forum, enter the Colosseum and listen to our guide’s presentation of the evocative history of ancient Rome and the gladiators’ fights that took place there. In the afternoon, free time to continue exploring the Eternal City. Overnight in Rome. (B)  

 
DAY 3:                                   ROME – FLORENCE  
After breakfast at the hotel, head to Rome Termini station to board the high-speed train to Florence, a journey of about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Florence. (B) 

 
DAY 4:                                   FLORENCE 
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will discover two thousand years of history of the cradle of the Renaissance through the eyes of an expert local guide, who will take you in an unforgettable journey to discover the most beautiful squares and monuments of Florence. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Florence. (B) 

 
 
DAY 5:                                   FLORENCE – VENICE  
After breakfast at the hotel, board a high-speed train to Venice S. Lucia, a journey of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a 30-minute gondola ride with audio commentary via an app on your phone. Overnight in Venice. (B) 

 
 
DAY 6:                                   VENICE 
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day to explore Venice or its lagoon. Choose to discover the city’s iconic landmarks or take a boat trip to the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello (tours not included). Overnight in Venice. (B) 

DAY 7:                                   VENICE – MILAN 
After breakfast at your hotel, make your way to Santa Lucia Station to board the high-speed train to Milan. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Milan. (B) 

 
DAY 8:                                   MILAN – COMO – COMO LAKE – MILAN 
After breakfast at the hotel, take a regional train to Como (approx. 40 minutes). Discover the city of Como and its famous lake at your own pace. A hop-on/hop-off public boat day pass is included, allowing you to choose your preferred stops along the lake. Spend some free time in Como before returning to Milan in the evening. Overnight in Milan. (B) 

 
DAY 9:                                   MILAN – TIRANO – ST. MORITZ 
Begin your journey in the charming town of Tirano and board the iconic Bernina Express to St. Moritz, Switzerland. This UNESCO World Heritage railway offers a spectacular ride through the Swiss Alps, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, valleys, and alpine villages as you cross the Bernina Pass at 2,253 meters. Upon arrival in St. Moritz, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore this elegant alpine resort. Overnight in St. Moritz. (B) 

 
DAY 10:                                 ST. MORITZ – ZERMATT 
After breakfast at the hotel, depart St. Moritz aboard the Glacier Express, one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. Travel across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels, and over the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters, enjoying breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps along the way. Upon arrival in Zermatt, nestled at the foot of the Matterhorn, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Explore the charming, car-free village or simply relax and take in the alpine scenery. Overnight in Zermatt. (B) 

 
DAY 11:                                 ZERMATT (MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE) 
After breakfast, spend the day at the stunning Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Take a cable car to Europe’s highest station at 3,883 meters for breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. Visit the Glacier Palace inside the glacier or enjoy the panoramic viewing platform. Return to Zermatt for leisure time to relax or sample local cuisine. Overnight in Zermatt. (B) 

 
 
DAY 12:                                 ZERMATT – ZURICH 
After breakfast at the hotel, depart Zermatt on a scenic train journey to Zurich. Travel through the Swiss Alps, passing lush valleys, rivers, and traditional villages, as the landscape gradually shifts to rolling hills and lakes. Arrive in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, known for its blend of historic charm and modern energy. Overnight stay at your hotel in Zurich. (B) 

 
 
DAY 13:                                 ZURICH 
Breakfast at the hotel and end of services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

STANDARD CLASS: 

ROME: Hotel Kennedy  

FLORENCE: Hotel Corona D’Italia  

VENICE: Hotel Carlton  

MILAN: Hotel Flora 

ST. MORITZ: Hotel Languard 

ZERMATT: Hotel Continental  

ZURICH: Garni Hotel Bristol  

SUPERIOR CLASS: 

ROME: Hotel Gambrinus  

FLORENCE: Hotel Executive  

VENICE: Hotel Amadeus 

MILAN: Hotel Nyx 

ST. MORITZ: Art Boutique Hotel Metropol  

ZERMATT: Hotel Simi 

ZURICH: Hotel Central Plaza  

INCLUDES: 

• 12 night’s accommodation with daily breakfast in either 3* (standard) or 4* (superior) hotels (accommodation in standard rooms)
• Colosseum & Roman Forum Group tour – includes local guide/entrance ticket – Monolingual English or Spanish /p/up at the hotel not included
• Half day tour of Florence – includes local guide – p/up at the hotel not included (group tour)
• 30 minutes Gondola ride with commentary on app to be downloaded on your smart phone (English/Spanish/Russian/French) – gondola shared with other passengers
• Arrival private transfer from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Hotel in Rome city centre (transfer in only)
• 2nd class high speed train ticket from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station
• 2nd class high speed train ticket from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station to Venezia St. Lucia station
• 2nd class high speed train ticket from Venezia St. Lucia Station to Milano Centrale Rail Station
• Round-trip regional train tickets from Milano Centrale to Como Centrale – 2nd class without seat reservation
• One day free circulation ticket on the public boat on Lake Como – departure/arrival in Como
• One-way regional train tickets from Milano Centrale to Tirano – 2nd class without seat reservation
• Swiss Travel Pass 4 consecutive days (one per guest)**- valid on days: 9-10-11-12 only
• Red Bernina Train from Tirano to St. Moritz / one way ticket / 2nd class / seat reservation included (panoramic seats not guaranteed)***
• Glacier Express Train from St. Moritz to Zermatt / one way ticket / 2nd class / seat reservation included (panoramic seats not guaranteed)
• Return cable-car ticket Zermatt – Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Zermatt
• One way train (no regional train) from Zermatt to Zurich (one change along the route)

 
SWISS TRAVEL PASS** 
Discover Switzerland with just a single ticket: The Swiss Travel Pass takes international guests to the most beautiful places in the country on flexible and affordable public transport. The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, as well as many other advantages: 

• Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat (thematic tours not included)
• Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply)
• Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns & cities
• Free admission to more than 500 museums.
• Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
• Discount of up to 50% on other mountain excursions
• The Swiss Travel Pass has been developed for guests from abroad. It is available to persons permanently resident outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

PLEASE NOTE: Please check the inclusions of this package carefully. The Swiss Travel Pass includes transportation and discounts on activities and excursions. If these excursions are not included in the package but only suggested in the itinerary, it will still be possible to book them (with a supplement) through Destination Italia. Alternatively, customers can book them independently using their Swiss Travel Pass code to get the discount.

EXCLUDES: 

• Transfers from/to the rail stations are not included except where specifically reported
• Transfers (pick up and drop off) from hotel to tour meeting point as indicated on tours with a star listed above (*)
• Tourist city tax, to be paid on the spot
• Lunches and dinners
• Optional tours and experiences
• Extras, tips, porterage, and everything not expressly listed as inclusion is not included and to be paid on the spot

THINGS TO NOTE: 

• Accommodation is subject to change without notice.
• Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.
• City taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to the hotel.
• Class of rail ticket is based on 2^ndclass unless the optional upgrade to 1^stclass has been selected at the time of booking.
• If seats on the Bernina Express are not available, the Red Bernina Train will be booked as an alternative. This train covers the same route.
• The itinerary of the tour and the days of excursions may be modified for technical reasons. In any case, all visits and excursions mentioned on the itinerary will be guaranteed or replaced by similar ones.
• Name changes are not permitted for these itineraries. A name change may result in the loss of ticket availability and/or other services and/or an increase in fares.