Venice Simplon-Orient Express & Northern Italy River Cruise – 11 days

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. Overnight travel on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with all meals included and welcome prosecco.

• 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

Itinerary

Day 1 - British Pullman, a Belmond Train

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Board British Pullman, a Belmond Train at London Victoria and your steward will escort you to your reserved seat in the vintage carriages. As you glide through the Kentish countryside, you’ll enjoy a delicious brunch before crossing the Channel to join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Calais.

Day 2 to Day 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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Day 8 – PORTO VIRO, CHIOGGIO

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.

Day 9 – VENICE ISLANDS

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.

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.

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.