Itinerary - 7 Night Holiday by Rail

Day 1

London to Zurich

Travel on the Eurostar from London to Paris, where you transfer onto the famous TGV train to Zurich. Speed through the French Champagne region and onwards to Basel on the Swiss border before arriving into Zurich in time for dinner.

Check in at the Schweizerhof Hotel for your overnight stay. Located just opposite the train station, the Schweizerhof Hotel Zurich boasts incredible service, spacious rooms and a welcome drink on arrival!

Spend the evening by the lake in the old town district of Niederdorf, famous for its bars, restaurants, lounges and fashion boutiques. Enjoy typical Swiss cuisine such as the delicious raclette or fondue before taking a stroll along the lakeside. Don’t miss the impressive Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches, whose clock faces stare at each other across the River Limmat.

Day 2

Zurich to Rome

After breakfast, take the Eurocity train to Milan. Stop for a quick espresso before transferring onto the Eurostar Italia train to Rome. Pass through Tuscan countryside before arriving to Rome's impressive Termini station.

Check in at the Mascagni Rome for your overnight stay. Set within an Umbertine style palace, the Mascagni Hotel is just 5 minutes walk from the train station and within walking distance from sights such as the Trevi Fountain and Spanish steps.

Walk in the footsteps of the gladiators at the Colosseum, experience the wonder of the Sistine Chapel with its famous ceiling, mix art and nature at the Villa Borghese or take a well earned break with a large ice-cream sundae in the Piazza Navona.

Day 3

Rome to Lecce

Travel from Rome to Lecce on the Eurostar Italia train. Journey time is 5 hours and 30 minutes. Sit back and relax as the train heads south along the pretty eastern coastline.

Check in at the President Lecce for your 3 night stay. Located just 5 minutes from the Old Town of Lecce, the President Lecce features contemporary rooms and a traditional restaurant.

As the capital of the two thousand year old Salentine Peninsula, Lecce is an impressive city, known for its stunning Baroque architecture, which inspired the nickname "Florence of the South". Take a wander through the city to discover the impressive "barocco leccese" (Lecce's typical style of architecture). Its Duomo cathedral is one of the most significant in Italy and the Church of the Holy Cross is a beautiful structure, luxuriously decorated with animals and figurines.

Days 4 and 5

Lecce

Explore more of Lecce's interesting sights during your next two days in this alluring city. Take a walk along the Via Palmieri, a cobbled street lined with ancient doorways. Stop in St Oronzo square for a strong Italian coffee before continuing visiting the remains of the citiy's ancient Roman amphitheatre.

Day 6

Lecce to Turin

After a full day in Lecce, board the Intercity night train to Turin. Settle into your compartment as the train follows the eastern coastline through Brindisi and Bari before heading west towards Bologna. Air-conditioning, power-sockets and complimentary water are available in your cabin.

Day 7

Turin

Awake in the morning to the sights and sounds of Turin and check in at the Town House 70 Turin for your overnight stay.

Spend your day in Turin discovering the city's many charms. The impressive cathedral is home to the fascinating Holy Shroud, which attracts thousands of Catholic pilgrims during its rare public unveilings. Take a walk to the River Po, shop for designer goods and exquisite chocolates, or relax in the city's leafy parks, such as Valentino Park. In the evening, sample Turin's fantastic array of cuisine by stopping at one of historic cafés located around Piazza Castello.

Day 8

Turin to London

Travel on the Eurocity train to Turin travelling across the Italian/French border and onwards via Chambery to the French capital. Stop for a Parisian lunch or transfer straight to the Gare du Nord for your Eurostar home.