Early booking offer : save up to £405 pp – ends 31 Mar

Highlights

  • Experience the glamour of the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express
  • Enjoy priority entry to the Arena di Verona
  • Sail in style among the islands of the Venetian Lagoon
  • Explore the culinary delights of Venice in the company of the ship's chef

This spectacular holiday pairs the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with the chance to explore Venice and its surrounds in-depth on a luxurious cruise. It all begins with an overnight journey on board the world’s most elegant train, where you’ll be treated to the very best in gourmet dining featured in included brunches and dinners that showcase the finest ingredients from along your route. You’ll follow that with a five-star stay in beautiful Verona, including priority entry to the city’s Roman arena, now a world-renowned opera venue. It’s then time to head on to Venice for your luxury river cruise, taking in the unique culture, incomparable cuisine and delightfully colourful towns of the Venetian islands. It’s an experience made all the better by a series of included tours and the gourmet dining and spa delights of the newly renovated S.S. La Venezia


Day 1

London to Paris

Begin your journey to Paris in London's St. Pancras International as you board the Eurostar. Travelling in Business Premier, you'll be treated to lounge access as well as a meal by Raymond Blanc before sweeping through the beautiful French countryside and into the capital, Paris. Alternatively we can arrange a flight from your local airport to Paris. On arrival, a short private transfer will take you to your luxury boutique hotel, located in the heart of the 8th Arondissement of Paris's Golden Triangle. From here, you'll be set to discover the city's myriad highlights, including the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and of course the iconic Eiffel Tower.

Paris skyline

Paris skyline


Day 2

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

This morning, enjoy a sumptuous and leisurely breakfast before being transferred to the train station where the blue-and-gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will be waiting to welcome you. Settle into your wood-panelled cabin as you race across rural France before heading to the dining car for a four-course gourmet meal, served by attentive, white-gloved waiters. End your day with a drink or two in the bar car, then retire to your cabin, which you’ll find transformed to a bedroom by your steward.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

The Belmond British Pullman

The Belmond British Pullman

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Dining aboard Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Dining aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express


Days 3 – 4

Discover Verona: Shakespeare’s city

Wake to a delicious breakfast of pastries, juices and fresh coffee in your cabin as first the Swiss Alps and then the Italian Dolomites rush by. Disembark in Verona, where you’ll be met for a private transfer to your five-star hotel and prepare for two memorable days exploring the delights of ‘Shakespeare’s city’. Indeed, be sure to take in the likes of Juliet’s balcony before enjoying skip-the-line access and a private tour of one of Italy’s most prestigious music venues – the Arena di Verona. 

Breakfast included

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Verona, Italy

Verona, Italy


Day 5

Verona to Venice

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take a private transfer to Venice where you’ll board your ship – the S.S. La Venezia. Fully refurbished, and with decks named after the islands of the Venetian Lagoon, it’s an opulent home to three restaurants, a spa, a lounge and bar – the perfect home-from-home for your cruise through northern Italy.

Breakfast & Dinner included

S.S. La Venezia, Uniworld

S.S. La Venezia

S.S. La Venezia

S.S. La Venezia


Day 6

Venice: Italy’s floating city

Before departing Venice, you’ll have a day to explore the myriad wonders of Italy’s floating city, as an expert guide helps you to untangle the secrets and myths of its iconic waterways. There’s also time for a very special after-hours private tour of St Mark’s Basilica. End the day in style with a Captain’s Welcome Reception and delicious celebratory dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Grand Canal, Venice

Grand Canal, Venice

St Mark's Square, Venice

St Mark's Square, Venice


Day 7

Vicenza or Padua

Start your morning with a visit to one of the Veneto region’s UNESCO World Heritage cities, Vicenza or Padua. In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to join a walk in Venice to meet a local gondola artisan before a scenic cruise across the lagoon towards Mazzorbo and Burano. A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Vicenza, Italy

Vicenza, Italy

Padua, Italy

Padua, Italy

S.S. La Venezia

S.S. La Venezia


Day 8

Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia

The day is devoted to exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and its varied islands. After visiting Torcello's famous basilica with an art historian, we will stroll through the agricultural island of Mazzorbo and then the colourful island of Burano. Alternatively, you can take the afternoon to see the world-famous glassblowing artisans of Murano at work

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Mazzorbo vineyards, Italy

Mazzorbo vineyards

Chioggia, Italy

Chioggia, Italy


Day 9

Chioggia

Today, you’ll explore the greatest sites of coastal Chioggia, including a stop at the local and lively market. A choice of activities is on offer, including a visit to one of Europe’s most splendid castles - Castello del Catajo. Alternatively, join a sommelier to learn about the history of winemaking in the Veneto region, with private tastings at Dominio di Bagnoli, one of the oldest wine producing properties in Europe.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

View over channel with boats, houses and reflections in Chioggia

Chioggia, Italy


Day 10

Chioggia and the Po River Delta

This morning, join a sailing excursion where you’ll explore the Po Delta where the Po River and the Adriatic Sea meet. Later, during a leisurely lunch, we cruise back to Venice.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Chioggia fish market

Chioggia fish market

Po Delta, Italy

Po Delta, Italy


Day 11

A return to Venice

Cruise back to Venice for a choice of superb excursions – the first a ‘do as the locals do’ appreciation of the city’s markets and culinary hotspots in the company of a guide, often the ship’s head chef. Alternatively, take a walking tour to Rialto Bridge and visit the sites made famous by renowned intellectual and playboy – Casanova. In the evening, a Captain’s farewell dinner will see you end your cruise in style.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Rialto Bridge, Venice

Rialto Bridge, Venice


Day 12

Depart for home

Disembark after breakfast and head to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Breakfast included


About the itinerary

"The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is one of the world's great travel experiences. But, while the classic route from London to Venice remains a favourite of mine, I'm always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy this incredible journey. And, this combo is right up there, as you combine the historical delights of Verona with a luxury cruise among the Venetian Islands and a host of excursions. My tip? Don't miss out the after-hours tour of St Mark's Basilica. Taking it all in without the crowds is a truly memorable experience."

David Warne

Destination Specialist

Pricing information

Early booking offer : save up to £405 pp
Offer ends 31 March

Guide price from £8,705 pp incl. flights

Low Season 2025 from: £8,705 pp incl. flights — save up to £365 pp
High Season 2025 from: £10,060 pp incl. flights — save up to £405 pp

2024 departure dates are now sold out - book now to secure your place for 2025

Includes pre-cruise

  • Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris in Business Premier (or flight to Paris from your local airport)
  • 1-night accommodation at a 5-star hotel in Paris
  • Venice Simplon-Orient-Express overnight train from Paris to Verona in a Historic Cabin (please ask for upgrade options to Suites and Grande Suites)
  • 2-nights accommodation at a 5-star hotel in Verona
  • Private tour to Arena di Verona
  • Private transfers throughout

Includes on board SS La Venezia

  • 7-night cruise aboard SS La 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 centre, plus exercise and wellness classes
  • Ship-wide Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Onboard entertainment and enrichment

Includes post-cruise

  • Private transfer from pier to Venice airport
  • Flight from Venice to UK

Price varies by departure date, pleas call for details. 

Enquire