Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Venice & Florence

Your journey begins at London’s Victoria with a champagne reception before you take your seat aboard the Belmond British Pullman for a lunch-paired race through Kent. Then, after a hop across the channel, you’ll board the famous blue-and-gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to begin your journey to Paris. Settling into your private, oak-panelled cabin, you’ll ready yourself for dinner in the elegant restaurant car where gourmet food and fine wines are served to the twinkling sounds of a baby grand piano. Then, having joined your fellow guests in the bar car, you’ll return to your cabin to find it transformed into sleeping quarters complete with crisp damask sheets. 

Having travelled through the night, you’ll wake to views of the Swiss Alps and a Continental breakfast served in your cabin. Then, as you sweep eastwards, the Italian Dolomites provide a stunning backdrop for your three-course lunch before an afternoon tea of gourmet sandwiches, cakes and pastries signals your approach to the Venetian Lagoon. Once in Venice itself, you’ll disembark at Santa Lucia station for a private water taxi transfer to your chosen hotel. There’s the Baglioni Hotel Luna with its silk-panelled walls, frescoed ceilings and rooftop Grand-Canal views, or the L’Orologio, whose contemporary rooms and innovative artworks are just a short stroll from Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. 

Spend today exploring Venice’s storied streets and waterways, with an optional walking tour our recommendation for making the most of your stay. Take in the history of such famous sights as the 14th-century Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica and follow in Hemingway’s footsteps with a Bellini at the famous Harry’s Bar. Then, in the afternoon, perhaps take a cruise out across the Venetian Lagoon to explore Burano’s brightly coloured storybook charm and take in the glassblowing heritage of nearby Murano, both Venice’s in miniature.

Take the train south, travelling in first-class comfort to Florence, a city steeped in the history of the Renaissance. Again, we’ve picked out a choice of hotels, with our Deluxe option, the Lungarno Hotel, combining interiors rich in historic artwork and antiques with a superb restaurant and doorstep access to the Ponte Vecchio and River Arno views. Alternatively, our Superior option features fine Tuscan dining, a rooftop bar, a Finnish sauna and even a collection of perfectly preserved Roman ruins in its basement. Whichever you choose, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore the city’s rich cultural tapestry, showcased on an afternoon city tour and a visit to the world-famous Uffizi Gallery.

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.