Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the romance of Verona and Venice
  • Experience 5-star service and dining onboard the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
  • Discover spectacular medieval splendours in Croatia including UNESCO-listed Sibenik
  • Enjoy a six-star, all-inclusive cruise on Seabourn's luxury Odyssey ship
  • Stroll among whitewashed cottages and iconic historic sites on Greece's islands

This itinerary combines one of the world's greatest rail journeys with an equally spectacular cruise to some of Europe's most historic cities. You'll begin by boarding the famous blue-and-gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, enjoying white-glove service and exquisite food and wine as you wind between chocolate-box Swiss villages and glorious alpine valleys before luxury hotel stays see you take in the storybook delights of Verona and Venice. You'll then board Seabourn Ovation for a six-star cruise, enjoying all-inclusive dining and a full spread of optional shore excursions takin in Croatia's medieval gems, Montenegro's lesser-explored shores and Greece’s sun-drenched islands.


Day 1

Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Embark the luxurious Belmond British Pullman at London Victoria and enjoy a three-course brunch as you speed past Kent's scenic Folkestone countryside before approaching Calais and catching sight of the iconic blue and gold carriages of the world's most glamorous train, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Marvel at the Art Deco influences and marquestry on board as you enjoy a glass of sparkling wine before changing for dinner.

All glittering crystal and intricate furnishings, the dining car is where you'll indulge in a four-course dinner, enjoying the likes of Brittany lobster and fillet of beef with black truffle béarnaise. It's the perfect prelude to an expertly-mixed cocktail in the bar cart before you head to your cabin, which will have been cosily transformed into a sleeping berth. 

Lunch & Dinner included

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Bar Car, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Bar Car, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express


Days 2 – 3

The romance of Verona

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in your cabin as rolling meadows and chocolate-box villages rush past on your approach to Verona. Then, it's emblematic Italian countryside that steals the show as you indulge in a three-course lunch before arriving in the city, taking your private transfer on arrival to your hotel for a two-night stay. Explore the ramshackle piazzas of Shakespeare's city with our included walking tour that will see you amble between boutique-lined streets before perhaps stopping for an aperitif in the famous squares or going in search of that famous balcony.

Perhaps catch a play at the historic theatre Teatro Romano or an opera at the Arena di Verona, or why not dress up and join the locals for passegiata in the piazzas before returning to the hotel’s onsite restaurant where you can enjoy the likes of prime ribs and Italian specialties on the terraced rooftop, sipping mixologist-created cocktails as you take in the city panorama.

Breakfast included

Due Torri Hotel

Roof terrace, Due Torri Hotel

Verona, Italy

Verona, Italy

Bridge Ponte Pietra, Adige River, Verona

Ponte Pietra bridge, Verona


Days 4 – 6

Venice's storied gems

This morning, take your private transfer to Venice and check into the palatial luxury of the Bagliona Luna, arriving via gondola or polished wood motorboat to the hotel's private jetty just off the Grand Canal. Expect the finest service among the silk walls and historic frescoes of your room, offset with Baroque prints and brushed-gold furniture. You’ve got the heritage beauty of St. Mark’s Square and the famed Bellini cocktails of Harry’s Bar on your doorstep, but take the time to enjoy a meal at the award-winning Canova Restaurant, featuring dishes such as egg yolk tagliolini, crispy shrimps and octopus salad.

Your hotel's privileged setting also means you'll enjoy views over St. Mark’s Basin, the island of San Giorgio Maggiore or Venice’s canals from your private terrace. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll end up in the charming Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif. It’s a wonderful prelude to a meal at one of the romantic canalside restaurants that line the streets.

Grand Canal, Venice

Grand Canal, Venice

Doge's Palace, Venice

Doge's Palace, Venice


Day 7

Explore Venice & board Seabourn Ovation

This morning, perhaps take a last sailing trip the Venetian Lagoon and discover unexplored ports, kayak among Venice’s emblematic canals or simply stroll along lively streets to explore the bacari, authentic wine bars where local Venetians meet over a fine wine. Then, take your private transfer to the port, ready to embark the spectacular Seabourn Ovation that will set sail this evening.

Check in to your deluxe suite adorned with a private veranda, panoramic views and rich furnishings, before perhaps enjoying an Italian lunch on deck overlooking Venice in all its splendour. Soak in the whirlpool or head to the sun terrace for some languid relaxation, perhaps also indulging in a massage in one of six treatment rooms, before taking the first of your all-inclusive meals in the ship's intimate dining area that serves innovative tasting menus paired with a fantastic choice of world-class wines. 

Dinner included

Seabourn Ovation

Seabourn Ovation


Day 8

Natural splendours & UNESCO sites in Croatia

Set sail to the historic city of Sibenik today and discover a cluster of forested islands and red-roofed buildings, the setting for an abundance of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Explore the 15th century St. James Cathedral, the largest church in the world built completely of stone, before heading to the turquoise-bright pools and rushing waterfalls of the Krka River in the Krka National Park.

Finally, don't miss the resplendence of white-stone St. Michael’s Fortress, with its open-air theatre that provides stunning vistas of the glittering Sibenik bay and its neighbouring islands.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Krka National Park

Krka National Park


Day 9

Medieval beauty in Montenegro

Arrive at one of the Adriatic's best-preserved medieval gems today – the fortified limestone city of Kotor. Perhaps take a stroll along the Gulf of Kotor river canyon and discover the overhanging cliffs that all form to make a spectacularly beautiful landscape, with highlights including the imposing Lovcen mountain, Romanesque Kotor cathedral and laidback barrier island of Sveti Dorde. Or, join one of several optional excursions, ranging from trips out to medieval Budva and iconic Sveti Stefan to cruises on Kotor Bay and small-group tours of Montenegro's UNESCO-listed heritage.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Kotor

Kotor, Montenegro

Harbour and boats in sunny day at Boka Kotor bay, Montenegro, Europe

Kotor Bay, Montenegro


Days 10 – 11

Rugged landscapes & dazzling coasts on the Greek islands

Spend the next two days heading ashore to discover the rugged undulations, pristine shores and cobbled hills of Corfu and Zakynthos. Your first stop is the rolling olive grove-lined hills and winding laneways of Corfu that trail among whitewashed houses and reach Spianada square, a historic space that's the largest of its kind in Greece, in the shadow of the spectacular Old Fortress.

It's then on to Zakynthos, famed for its stunning 'Shipwreck Beach'. Expect white-pebble beaches, hidden caves and impossibly turquoise seas, which you can take in either under your own steam or, if you prefer, on a guided tour.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Paleokastritsa bay, Corfu, Greece

Paleokastritsa bay, Corfu

Old fortress, Corfu, Greece, Europe

Old fortress, Corfu

Ionian Islands, Navagio, Zakynthos, Greece

Zakynthos, Greece


Days 12 – 13

Discover world-famous history in Greece

Swap Greek island beauty for ancient history as you head to Nafplion, all red-roofed neoclassical houses that line a charming harbour and jutting peninsula, best explored with swimming and beach strolling in the shadow of a spectacular Venetian fortress. Perhaps take the chance to visit the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus and the World Heritage-listed archaeological sites of Mycenae & Tiryns, or head to ancient Corinth to cross its famous canal. Other options include a winery tour with traditional lunch or a guided walk through Nafplion's old town, followed by an ouzo tasting.

Then, the next day, you'll drop anchor in Melos, with its white-washed houses and glorious beaches. As the place where the statue of Venus de Milo was discovered, and with a museum packed full of Neolithic and Byzantine treasures, there's plenty to excite budding historians. Otherwise, you might want to join a snorkelling safari or simply take the chance to explore the breathtaking coastline.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Nafplion, Greece

Nafplion, Greece

Milos, Greece

Milos, Greece


Day 14

Athens to UK

Debark the ship at Athens and take your private transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Breakfast included


About the itinerary

"This itinerary combines classic rail travel with the all-inclusive luxury of Seabourn's Odyssey cruise ship. Climb aboard the famed Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and step back in time to a more refined, congenial and elegant era. Indulge in opulent surroundings at your Verona hotel and relish the incredible pampering and service on board the intimate Seabourn Odyssey."

David Warne

Destination Specialist

Pricing information

Guide price from £7,855 pp

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