Slovenia, Northern Italy Cruise & Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Your journey begins in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, where a private transfer will be waiting to escort you to your five-star hotel in the city centre. Once you’ve settled into your spacious and stylish accommodation, you may be inclined to venture out to get an initial feel for Ljubljana – a delightfully atmospheric and picturesque city which, owing to its compact centre, lends itself to being explored on foot at a leisurely pace. The following morning, after breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Ljubljana in greater depth on an included guided walking tour, which will introduce you to its attractive blend of Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, its bustling Central Market, and the iconic Triple Bridge that connects both banks of the Ljubljanica River. There will also be an opportunity to ride a glass-walled funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for a tour of this historic fortress, which dates back to the 11th century (though much of the present day castle was built from the 16th century onwards). This is the perfect vantage point from which to take in wonderful views of Ljubljana’s Old Town. Later on, take your pick from Ljubljana’s extensive array of excellent restaurants and lively bars. 

Stay: InterContinental Ljubljana (or similar)

Today, you’ll enjoy an included day trip to Lake Bled, one of the most emblematic sights in Slovenia – around a 45-minute drive north of Ljubljana. This serene lake is framed by the soaring peaks of the Julian Alps and crowned by a Baroque church that sits on a small island, creating a scene that looks like something straight out of a fairytale. You’ll begin your explorations with a tour of Bled Castle, the oldest castle in Slovenia, perched atop a steep cliff that towers above the lake. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time for lunch, before rejoining your guide on the lake shore to board a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island, where you’ll explore the Church of the Assumption of Mary and its famous ‘wishing bell’ tower. Sailing back to the shore, you’ll then travel by coach to a local bee farm to learn about Slovenia’s beekeeping tradition. Here, you’ll get to try some delicious honey fresh from the source and craft your own candle from beeswax, before heading back to Ljubljana for the evening. 

Stay: InterContinental Ljubljana (or similar)

Bid farewell to Ljubljana this morning as you begin your journey by coach to Venice. Along the way, you’ll make a stop at the Postojna Cave Park – a subterranean geological wonderland of karst caverns, halls and passageways which you’ll explore on an underground train. It’s an extraordinary sight to behold, filled with spectacular stalagmites and stalactites and home to around 150 animal species. Once back above ground, you’ll head to a local restaurant for lunch before continuing your journey towards the Italian border. On arrival in Venice, you’ll embark on S.S. La Venezia – your luxurious home at sea for the upcoming days, replete with a trio of dining venues, a spa, a lounge and bar. You’ll enjoy your first exquisite dinner onboard this evening.

You have the whole day to explore Venice and soak up its enchanting ambience, beginning with an early morning tour of the Doge’s Palace before the crowds arrive. This masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture previously served as the political and cultural hub of the Republic of Venice and remains one of the city’s most iconic landmarks today, standing prominently beside the Grand Canal on the eastern side of St. Mark’s Square. Afterwards, you’ll continue your explorations with a guided walk through the Castello district, which was once the focal point of Venice’s pioneering shipbuilding industry. As you stroll among its cobbled alleys and canals, you’ll also gain an insight into daily life in an authentic, residential quarter of the city. Later on, you’ll visit another of Venice’s most emblematic landmarks – St. Mark’s Basilica – on a private, after-hours tour that’ll offer the chance to observe a lighting ceremony as you admire the intricate marblework and shimmering gold mosaics that adorn the interior of this majestic church. 

This morning, you’ll have the choice between visiting one of two UNESCO World Heritage cities in the Veneto region: Vicenza or Padua. Should you opt for Vicenza, you’ll visit the Teatro Olimpico – the oldest Italian Renaissance theatre still in existence, widely considered to be one of the greatest masterpieces of the 16th-century Italian architect, Andrea Palladio. Padua, meanwhile, has enjoyed a reputation as a centre of discovery and learning over the centuries, and is home to the second-oldest university in the country. Here, you’ll also come across Italy’s largest public square, the elliptical-shaped Prato della Valle, which is surrounded by a canal and adorned with 78 statues. In either case, you’ll also have time for lunch and to explore independently before returning to Venice. Once back aboard the ship, you’ll set sail into the Venetian Lagoon towards the island of Burano, where you’ll have the opportunity to disembark for an evening stroll among its famous, brightly-painted fishermen’s houses.

Spend a memorable day exploring the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon and its captivating islands. You’ll begin with a guided visit to Torcello, once the most populous island in the lagoon, but now home to just a small handful of residents. Its crown jewel is the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the oldest surviving church in the lagoon, which houses a spectacular 11th-century mosaic depicting the Last Judgement. Afterwards, head over to the peaceful, agricultural island of Mazzorbo and take the opportunity to explore Burano in greater depth. Alternatively, you may wish to take a trip to Murano to watch the renowned glassblowing artisans showcasing their craft. 

Having explored the islands of the northern Venetian Lagoon, today you’ll set your sights on Chioggia, an atmospheric fishing town at the southern side of the lagoon, often described as ‘Venice in miniature’. Here, you’ll choose between a variety of optional excursions, including the likes of a visit to a bustling local market, a bike tour, a bragozzo boat ride and food tasting experience, and wine tasting at a countryside villa. 

This morning, you’ll sail among the wildlife-rich wetlands of the UNESCO-listed Po Delta Biosphere Reserve – an expanse of swamps, lagoons, dunes and forests where the Po River spills out into the Adriatic Sea. The area is home to red deer, Camargue horses, and over 300 bird species, including an estimated 10,000 pink flamingos. Alternatively, you may decide to venture inland to the Euganean Hills to explore one of Europe’s grandest castles, Castello del Catajo, which dates back to the 16th century and was once an imperial residence of the Habsburg Dynasty. 

You’ll return to Venice today, sailing back along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. This is a prime opportunity to explore the city further and discover parts that you might have missed earlier on in your trip. You could join a guided walking tour, explore the laid-back Dorsoduro district, enjoy a gondola ride, or even try your hand at stand-up rowing in a traditional batellina boat. Back on board, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and dinner will be prepared for you as you cap off the final night of your cruise in style. 

After a delicious final breakfast onboard, it’s time to disembark S.S. La Venezia for a private transfer to Verona, where you’ll check into your luxury hotel in the historic centre. You’ll be based here for the next two nights as you explore ‘Shakespeare’s City’ – a treasure trove of Roman ruins and beautifully preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Be sure to visit the likes of Juliet’s balcony, the Piazza delle Erbe and the Castelvecchio Bridge before enjoying skip-the-line access and a private tour of one of Italy’s most prestigious music venues – the Arena di Verona. 

Following a leisurely final morning in Verona, a transfer will bring you to the station where you’ll board the iconic gold-and-blue carriages of Europe’s most luxurious train, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Step inside a world of Art Deco elegance and immaculate white-glove service as you settle into your wood-panelled cabin or suite, followed by a delicious three-course lunch in the dining car. Then, after a relaxing afternoon taking in the majestic landscapes outside your window as you sweep through the Alps, you may be tempted to make your way down to the bar car for a signature cocktail or a glass of champagne before a sumptuous four-course gourmet dinner. Of course, there’s ample time for a tipple or two afterwards, soundtracked by the train’s resident pianist. 

Enjoy a continental breakfast in your cabin or suite this morning as you glide through the rural landscapes of northern France en route to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, disembark the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for a short transfer to Gare du Nord station or one of the city airports. If you’d like to return to London by Eurostar, or perhaps extend your stay with a night or two in Paris, please speak to one of our specialists to discuss the range of options available.