Venice & the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Today, you visit St Mark's Basilica and the 15th-century Doge's Palace on a private guided tour. Your guide will take you behind the scenes and uncover the hidden chambers used by Doges to administer the republic. You’ll also visit the Bridge of Sighs. As evening falls, in the company of a private guide, you’ll walk through a maze of alleyways, passing alongside smaller canals, on an evening food tour of Venice's hidden bacaros (wine bars). Visiting your guide’s recommended selection of local haunts, you can enjoy a glass of wine and some cicchetti, a traditional tapas-like snack, in true Venetian style.

You venture off Venice today with your private guide to the smaller outlying islands of Murano and Burano. In Murano, you’ll watch a glass-blowing demonstration and see artisans creating pieces of traditional Murano glassware. Burano is known for its tradition of lace making and brightly painted houses. You’ll stroll the scenic lanes and canals while your guide explains the history of the island. After visiting the islands, you'll return to your hotel by private boat.

Your final full day in Venice is yours to explore the city. This is a great day to visit some of the many art galleries and museums on the island.

Late this morning, your water taxi (shared) will meet you at your hotel and take you to Venice’s train station, where you’ll board the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. On a leisurely journey through Europe, you’ll have time to admire the scenery and enjoy dining on board before spending the night in your cabin.

Today, your journey continues across Europe until you reach Calais. From here, you’ll cross the English Channel before joining the British Pullman train in Portsmouth to travel through the English countryside to London.