Summary
Short description
Sail among the treasures of Northern Italy and journey on the fabled Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
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Highlights
- Indulge on the world's most luxurious train, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
- Discover historical Verona including a private tour of the famous Arena di Verona
- Explore Venice – the Floating City – home to world-famous art & museums
- Enjoy all-inclusive, gourmet dining on board your luxury river ship
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
June holidays | May holidays | Rail journey | River cruise
Having undergone a full redesign in 2020, S.S. La Venezia offers unparalleled luxury as she sails among the gems of Northern Italy. Pair this special river cruise with a journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for a holiday to remember. Board the train's iconic blue-and-gold carriages to enjoy all-inclusive fine dining as you sweep through France and Switzerland to Verona. Here you'll discover the romantic side of the city with a two-night stay at a five-star hotel, before settling into your luxurious stateroom aboard S.S. La Venezia. Visit Chioggia, Bologna, and the Venetian Islands, with included tours throughout to help you get to know the hidden treasures of this picturesque region.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Verona
Today you'll board the elegant carriages of the Belmond British Pullman at London Victoria, before enjoying a delicious brunch and an indulgent Bellini as you travel through the Kent countryside. After crossing the channel, you'll board the famed Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train and settle into your plush private cabin. This evening, you'll dine in the restaurant car, where white-gloved waiters will serve you a sumptuous four-course dinner, freshly prepared on board by a talented team of chefs. After dinner, perhaps head to the bar car for a night cap, then retire to your cabin which has been transformed into a cosy bedroom.
Stay: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Deluxe)
Meals: L D
Days
2-3
Verona
Wake to a Continental breakfast in your cabin or suite before settling back to take in views of the Swiss Alps an Italian Dolomites before your arrival in Verona, where you'll be met and transferred to your luxury hotel for a two-night stay. Just moments away from Juliet's balcony and Verona's highlights – including the Arena di Verona – you're perfectly located to discover everything this romantic city has to offer. While you're here, you'll enjoy an included private tour with skip-the-line access to the Arena, as well as plenty of time to sample regional delicacies and fine Italian wine as you wander the maze of pretty laneways and hidden plazas.
Stay: NH Collection Palazzo Verona (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
4
Verona to Venice
On your final morning in Verona, you'll take a private transfer to Venice to join S.S. La Venezia at San Basilio cruise pier. Recently renovated, this luxurious ship is inspired by Venetian culture, and features three dining venues, a spa, lounge and bar to help you make the most of your Italian sojourn. Settle into your luxurious stateroom or suite, and enjoy your first evening on the Venetian lagoon, perhaps heading to the upper duck to watch the sun set over the water.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B D
Day
5
Venice
Today you'll disembark in Venice for two featured excursions to help you get to know the city. An expert guide will take you on a walking tour of the iconic sights and hidden treasures of its floating laneways, while back onboard the ship, you'll take a scenic cruise around the Venetian Lagoon. This evening, a private after-hours visit to Saint Mark's Basilica is a highlight – see the spectacular church in the evening light and without the crowds. And, before retiring to your room for the night, enjoy a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Chioggia
Today, you'll leave Venice and sail past the brightly-coloured fishermen’s houses of Pellestrina before you arrive into Chioggia, often referred to as “Little Venice,” right at the southern end of the lagoon. A local guide will show you the highlights of this charming fishing village, a favourite among artists, or you might prefer to hop aboard a little boat to harvest mussels with fishermen in the lagoon. For the more adventurous, take a bike ride along the beach followed by an authentic Italian mussel lunch. Back onboard, treat yourself to cocktails in the bar as the sun goes down.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Polesella (Bologna or Ferrara)
Today you have a choice of cities to explore. Foodies will want to spend a day in Bologna, Northern Italy's culinary capital, learning how to make pasta – and eat it. Or, visit UNESCO-listed Ferrara, a beautifully preserved Renaissance city, where you'll enjoy a walk around the town with an expert guide. You'll see everything from the city's medieval walls to its Gothic cathedral before returning to the ship for lunch. Tonight, perhaps book a spa treatment to help you truly unwind.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
8
Porto Viro, Chioggia
Today, you'll return to the delightful town of Chioggia for a new perspective. This lively fishing port boasts one of Europe's biggest wholesale fish markets, which you'll tour today, along with Corso del Popolo – a busy outdoor market where traders sell everything from clothes and shoes to gadgets and souvenirs. You'll then cruise on to Burano, where a guided evening stroll will introduce you to the delights of this colourful island.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Venice Islands (Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello)
Today you'll have the opportunity to explore three of the many islands surrounding Venice. You'll start in Torcello, a once heavily-populated city now home to only a handful of locals. Here, you'll see the 11th-century mosaic of the Last Judgement via an early-access tour without the crowds. Next, you'll stop in Mazzorbo, where you'll immerse yourself in the fine art of Italian winemaking, touring an estate devoted to making wine with Dorona grapes, which tolerate the salt air to produce a rich golden wine. You'll then end the day back in Burano, where vibrant fishermen's houses line the water, and lace-making is a well-practised tradition handed down through family generations for 400 years. Before you leave, you'll call into a lace-making atelier to see some of this delicate work up close, and perhaps shop for souvenirs.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
10
Venice
Today you're back in Venice with a choice of fascinating tours. Take a “Do as the Locals Do” Venice walking tour, where your guide – often the ship's chef – will see you to the covered fish market and culinary hotspots. Perhaps enjoy a gondola ride before rejoining your guide at a bacaro for the Venetian version of happy hour – ombra e cicchetti. Sip prosecco and sample crostini with salt cod spread as you watch the world go by. Alternatively, join a Rialto walking tour and explore the sites made famous by renowned intellectual and part-time playboy, Casanova. Back onboard, celebrate your final night with a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
11
Venice (Disembark)
After breakfast, disembark the ship and take your included private transfer to the airport for your flight home to the UK.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
11-day luxury rail journey & river cruise from £5,325 pp incl. flights
Deluxe
Special Offer
Early booking offer: Save up to £665 pp.
Book by: 31 March 2021
2021 Low Season
from £5,325 pp. incl. flights
2021 High Season
from £6,010 pp. incl. flights
2022 Low Season
from £5,870 pp. incl. flights
2022 High Season
from £6,840 pp. incl. flights
Includes pre-cruise
- Venice Simplon-Orient-Express overnight train to Verona
- Private overseas transfers throughout
- 2-nights accommodation at 5-star hotel in Verona
- Private tour to Arena di Verona
- Private transfer to Venice pier
Includes on board SS Venezia
- Choice of daily excursions
- Delicious farm-to-table cuisine
- Unlimited beverages, including many premium spirits and wines
- Outstanding service with one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios of any cruise line
- Elegant and well-appointed riverview staterooms, with the finest linens, towels and Savoir® beds
- Onboard fitness center, plus exercise and wellness classes
- Shipwide Internet and Wi-Fi access
- Onboard entertainment and enrichment
Includes post-cruise
- Private transfer from pier to Venice airport
- Flight from Venice to UK
Departures from London on selected Thursdays in 2021 and 2022
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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