The New Grand Tour: Europe by Train, Trail, and Timeless Hotels
In an age where speed has become the norm, Europe’s grand landscapes and storied cities beckon us to slow down and experience a more deliberate kind of travel.
The New Grand Tour isn’t about ticking off capitals — it’s about moving gracefully through the continent by rail and trail, embracing the art of arrival at every stop. It’s about hotels that are destinations in themselves, where heritage meets hospitality, and the journey is just as rewarding as the arrival.
Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
No modern reinterpretation of the Grand Tour could begin without the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. More than a train, it is a moving time capsule — an icon of Art Deco elegance gliding from London to Venice and beyond. The polished wood-panelled cabins, liveried stewards, and white-tableclothed dining cars transform even the simplest meal into an occasion. The scenery — from the snow-dusted Alps to the Venetian Lagoon — unfolds like a living postcard. It is the perfect overture for a journey dedicated to style, substance, and slow wonder.
Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice
Once arrived in Venice, the magic continues at Belmond Hotel Cipriani. Tucked away on Giudecca Island, this sanctuary offers sweeping lagoon views and an escape from the bustle of San Marco. Days here unfold with languid breakfasts by the pool, private boat rides through hidden canals, and evenings crowned with Bellinis on the terrace. The Cipriani’s timeless glamour captures the essence of Venetian sophistication — a necessary pause before the next leg of the journey.
Badrutt’s Palace, St. Moritz
In the snow-dusted heart of the Engadin Valley, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is a cornerstone of Alpine glamour. Arriving here by train, aboard the Glacier Express or the Bernina Line, is as much a part of the experience as the hotel itself. Winter days unfold with skiing across the Swiss slopes, while the summer months favour mountain hikes and swims in Lake St. Moritz. By night, candlelit dinners in the historic dining room reflect the grand elegance that has defined Badrutt’s for over a century.
Belmond Reid’s Palace, Madeira
For a fittingly dramatic finale, the Atlantic calls. Perched above the ocean in Funchal, Belmond Reid’s Palace has welcomed travellers arriving by both sea and air for over a century. Here, the modern Grand Tour meets the raw beauty of the island’s levada walking trails and botanical gardens. After days spent traversing Madeira’s volcanic peaks and coastline, the hotel’s afternoon tea — served on the terrace as the sun dips over the Atlantic — offers the perfect closing chapter.
Rocco Forte: The Grand Tour of Scotland & Sicily
Covering eight of Europe’s greatest cities — Edinburgh, London, Brussels, Berlin, Munich, Florence, Rome, and Palermo — Rocco Forte Hotels has created a modern-day Grand Tour with the romantic allure of train travel. The journey offers two nights at each hotel paired with first-class rail travel between each iconic location. Along the way, guests can uncover cultural highlights and authentic local experiences: from a private dawn visit to the Vatican in Rome to weaving through London in a fleet of Mini-Coopers, or getting lost amidst the fragrant markets and vibrant streets of Palermo. Celebrating both journey and destination, the trip offers the rare pleasure of slowing down and seeing Europe unfold in full cinematic beauty.
The New Grand Tour: A Journey Reimagined
Today’s Grand Tour is not defined by miles covered, but by moments savoured. Whether aboard an icon of European rail, on foot along scenic trails, or within the embrace of storied hotels, the route through Europe’s cultural heartlands is more poetic than ever. And whilst the names may change, the essence remains: the beauty of the journey, the delight of discovery, and the enduring elegance of slowing down.