Paris to Rome by Rail Tour by Intrepid Travel

10 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Paris, France

Ends

Rome, Italy

Highlights

Choose a slower-paced European journey on a comfortable rail-only trip – as well as travelling like the locals on domestic trains, you’ll also hop aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express and take the Mount Pilatus Silver Circle tour (which includes an aerial cableway)!

Watch a cooking demonstration using fresh, locally harvested produce, then sit down to lunch during a visit to The Intrepid Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio, who work to regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy.

Walk along the Musegg Wall and the nine Musegg Towers of Lucerne – an old fortification surrounding the city that is now home to endangered plants and wildlife like bats and birds. This is one of the best ways to see Lucerne like the locals!

Take a scenic hike in Bellinzona to make the most of the incredible views – surrounded by the Swiss Alps, Bellinzona also features not one, not two, but three medieval castles.

The Silver Circle tour is one of the best ways to make use of your time in Lucerne. Scaling the impressive Mount Pilatus, you’ll travel by railway, cogwheel railway, aerial cableway and then jump on panorama gondolas for incredible views of the surrounding Alps and Lake Lucerne.

Itinerary

All aboard for a rail adventure from Paris to Rome, where every stop unfolds a new European delight. Over ten days, journey from the romantic boulevards of Paris to Switzerland’s mountain vistas in Lausanne and Lucerne—ride the Gotthard Panorama Express for breathtaking alpine views. In Bellinzona, take a cable car to survey the landscape before continuing to Rome, where the ancient and modern blend seamlessly. Savor a wine tasting in UNESCO-listed Lavaux, explore iconic cathedrals, and share a meal with locals at Cooperativa Coraggio. This explorer tour’s unique selling point is its seamless rail-only itinerary, offering eco-friendly travel through Europe’s most captivating landscapes, perfect for those who love to experience the continent’s diversity at a relaxed pace.

day 1 - Paris

Bonjour! Welcome to France. Your adventure begins in Paris – the City of Lights, known for its romance, delicious cuisine and amazing art scene. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by a leader-led orientation walk to experience the buzz of Paris as night falls. If you arrive early, why not explore the city at your own pace. Maybe grab a traditional baguette, a buttery croissant and some local meats and fruits and have a picnic by the Eiffel Tower. If you’d like to tick off bucket list sites like the Louvre or walking the Champs-Elysees, today is also your best opportunity. After tonight's meeting, you have the option to head out for a welcome dinner with your group to get to know each other better and be introduced to the wonderful local food.

included:Paris - Orientation Walk, Paris - Welcome Meeting

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Lausanne

Today, you have a free morning in Paris. Maybe grab some iconic baked goods and stroll along the River Seine or get to know Montmartre and why this district has attracted artists for generations. After a chance to grab some lunch, you’ll board the train to Lausanne in Switzerland – sitting on the banks of Lake Geneva, this French-speaking city is home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. When you arrive, walk to your hotel and depending on the group’s interests, maybe head out on an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings. Tonight, you’re free to explore the city after dark – your leader will have some great recommendations for dinner.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 3 - Lausanne

After breakfast this morning, head to the Lausanne Cathedral – seen as one of the most beautiful gothic art monuments in Europe, this cathedral overlooks the city. After wandering around and heading to the top for some great city views, you’ll head to a bakery to sample a delicious local pastry. Then, you have a free afternoon for lunch and further explorations. Maybe take a boat tour this afternoon on the Leman Lake or visit the Olympic Museum to learn the history of the games. Maybe head to Lavaux Vineyards – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and indulge in a wine tasting. You could also book a chocolate-tasting tour (the Swiss are known for their chocolate)!

included:Lausanne - Orientation Walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 4 - Lucerne

Walk to the station to catch a train from Lausanne to Lucerne. Watch the gorgeous Swiss scenery pass you by from the comfort of your carriage and arrive in time for lunch. Lucerne is known for its medieval architecture, colourful Old Town and views of snowcapped mountains and it’s a bit of a foodie’s paradise so you’ll have plenty of great options. After, take a walk on the Museggmauer Walls surrounding Lucerne with your local leader. Dominating the skyline, the Musegg Wall and the nine Musegg Towers formed part of the town’s fortifications, and today, walking along the ramparts is a popular activity for locals and visitors. Stop for a drink at the Hinter Misegg farm – an organic farm right in the heart of the city. Look out for the resident alpacas, Highland cattle, mini pigs, hens and goats, then enjoy a free evening. Maybe rent a paddle boat on the lake or hop on the Cityboat, one of the most popular ways to see the city.

included:Lucerne - Walk on the Museggmauer Walls

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 5 - Lucerne Mount Pilatus

Today, you’re in for a treat as your group heads to Lucerne’s Mount Pilatus for the 3-hour Silver Tour. One of the best ways to see the surrounding peaks, your tour takes you on a journey by railway, cogwheel railway, aerial cableway and panorama gondola for incredible views of Mount Pilatus and the Swiss Alps. Departing from the main railway station in Lucerne, the central railway train will take you along the shores of Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. There, you’ll hop on the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, riding all the way up to the summit of the mountain. Here, you can find fine dining options, hiking options, a concert space and amazing panoramic views of the Alps and the Alpine massif. You’ll then take the aerial cableway and gondolas on the ‘Dragon Ride’ to the valley. After an incredible morning, you have a free afternoon to take up any optional activities you didn’t get a chance to complete yesterday.

included:Lucerne - Mount Pilatus Silver Circle Tour

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 6 - Ticino Region Gotthard Panorama Express

Enjoy a leisurely morning before leaving Lucerne and making your way to Ticino Region on the Gotthard Panorama Express. You will first take a regional train (approx. 30 min) to Arth-Goldau before boarding this scenic train offering more than just transit from one place to another. Travelling from central to southern Switzerland, you'll pass mountain vistas, blue lakes, sleepy villages and rolling hills. When you arrive in Bellinzona in the late afternoon, take a quick orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings, then your evening is free. Known for its three imposing medieval castles and surrounding views of the Alps, the atmosphere is perfect for a self-paced walking tour. If you’re looking for a cosy spot for dinner, just ask your expert leader for the best recommendations.

included:Bellinzona - Orientation Walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 7 - Ticino Region

Take another excursion up into the mountains today. Take a bus to the starting point of an easy hike, then head out on the trail for some unbeatable views of the Alps and a bird’s eye view of the city. Take some time to wander around, then head back to the city. Your afternoon is free, so you might like to visit the Castle of Bellinzona or The Municipal Museum of Villa dei Cedri – this suburban villa features gardens, historical architecture and regional art from the 19th century to present day works.

included:Bellinzona - Leader led hike

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 8 - Rome

Travel to ‘The Eternal City’ of Rome. Leaving Switzerland behind, board a morning train to Milan, where you’ll then change for the capital of Italy. Today’s a bit of a travel day, so take the opportunity to get to know your group a little better or grab a window seat and watch the scenery change from the mountains of Switzerland to the oranges and terracotta hues of Italy. When you arrive in Rome, you’ll head out with your leader for an orientation walk of the city. Home to popular sites like the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – there is no shortage of things to see and do in Rome. With your free afternoon and evening, you might like to take a tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon, tour Vatican City or walk through the trendy areas within Trastevere in search of the best pasta, sandwich, gelato, homemade pizza or glass of vino.

included:Rome - Orientation Walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 9 - Rome

Wake up to the exciting buzz of Rome and head out to visit an Intrepid Foundation partner – Cooperativa Coraggio. Set in the serene countryside, this organisation addresses the various social and environmental needs of Italian communities by regenerating unused public lands with organic, sustainable agriculture. Learn what they do here and watch a short cooking demonstration using fresh, locally harvested products that you’ll then sit down and enjoy for lunch. Return to Rome, where your last evening is free to visit the Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Piazza Venezia, St Peter's Basilica or anywhere you didn’t get a chance to see yesterday. Don’t forget to do as the Romans do and sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes! Tonight, why not head out for a final dinner with your group and toast to your adventures with a glass of wine?

included:Rome - Cooperativa Coraggio (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 10 - Rome

With no further activities planned, your trip ends after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your adventures, maybe consider booking yourself onto ZMSV as well and extend your rail journey across Europe. If you’d like to stay on in Rome, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

Meals

9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch

Transport

Train, Metro, Local Bus, Private Vechicle

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Paris - Orientation WalkParis - Welcome MeetingLausanne - Orientation WalkLucerne - Walk on the Museggmauer WallsLucerne - Mount Pilatus Silver Circle TourBellinzona - Orientation WalkBellinzona - Leader led hikeRome - Orientation WalkRome - Cooperativa Coraggio (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

What's Excluded

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