Luxurious Italy & Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Paris

Departures & Pricing

Upgrades, transfers, accommodation and more can be quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Buongiorno Rome

   Begin your Italy luxury tour journeying to your luxurious hotel by private chauffeur. As night falls, delight in the romance of the Eternal City before gathering for a delicious Welcome Dinner of Italian cuisine and wine at a restaurant known only to locals, near Rome’s famous Pantheon. Watch the world go by as you savour a meal with new friends.

   Included Dining: Dinner

2. 2

   Rome and the Vatican

   Explore the Eternal City and Vatican Museums under the guidance of historians and experts. Admire magnificent frescos and unlock religious history at the Vatican before touring the mighty Colosseum and viewing the Roman Forum.

   Every side street has something to offer, as you’ll see on a guided exploration of the hidden sites of Rome with your knowledgeable Local Expert. Get away from the crowds and discover more culture and art in this living masterpiece.

   Enter the Vatican Museums before they open to the public and visit the Sistine Chapel on a tour with your Local Expert. Be awed by the frescoes that adorn the walls and roof, painted by masters such as Michelangelo, Botticelli and Ghirlandaio, enhanced by the calm before the crowds appear.

   Stroll around the Roman Forum, learning more about the ancient ruins of government buildings while enjoying the panoramic views over the Eternal City. Then, skip the queues to view the iconic Colosseum and hear the remarkable history of the largest amphitheater in the ancient world.

   Included Dining: Breakfast

3. 3

   Pompeii and the Isle of Capri

   At the ruins of Pompeii, walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century, when a volcanic eruption engulfed the streets. Hear more about the lavish lives the locals lived and visit well-preserved ruins of baths and local shops.

   In Capri arrive in style for your overnight stay as the jet-set do, traveling to your luxurious Capri hotel by open-top taxi. Don’t forget your headscarf or hat and sunglasses so passersby can speculate about the visiting VIP.

   Included Dining: Breakfast, Dinner

4. 4

   Explore the Isle of Dreams

   Embark on a private cruise that takes you around the dramatic coast of Capri to seek out hidden coves and grottos that few get to see. The White Grotto is a dazzling sight with the stalactites that dangle over its entrance.

   After your morning cruise, cool off from the Mediterranean sun with a refreshing local beverage, the lemon granita. Freshly made with sweet Sicilian lemons, this tasty drink will add zing to your day before more exploring.

   Take in beautiful views of the Gulf of Naples from the privileged perch of Michelin-starred Mammà restaurant. Savour a delectable meal of Mediterranean flavours in perfect Caprese style, created with passion from fresh, local produce by chef Salvatore La Ragione.

   Included Dining: Breakfast, Lunch

5. 5

   Umbria, Assisi and Perugia

   Discover jewels of Umbria and personalise your day. View the 28 incredible frescos of the Basilica of St. Francis with a local historian. Or, with the help of your local gourmand, learn the roots of Umbrian cuisine and taste heavenly flavours including local olive oils and truffle-infused cured meats.

   Included Dining: Breakfast

6. 6

   San Gimignano and Tuscany

   Meet Marta, fourth-generation weaver and recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant at Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti. Discover how she and her weavers are preserving the medieval Umbrian tradition of loom-weaving at their artisanal workshop and sharing their own piece of a colourful history. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience Marta and her students help to safeguard the unique patterns while contributing to the protection of Umbria’s cultural heritage. The workshop is owned by women and actively empowers women and girls through its education and training programs.

   Delight in a private wine tasting tour with the owners of Guardastelle Estate and lunch surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. If you are traveling on a Founder's Collection departure, on Day 6 you are invited to an exclusive lunch and wine tasting with Marchese Mazzei at his centuries-old Tuscan estate. This experience will replace the lunch and wine tasting at the Guardastelle Estate.

   Get a taste of magnificence in gelato form. Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan ice cream parlour of World Champion Gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli, for a taste of his creamiest treats. It may be difficult to leave.

   Included Dining: Breakfast, Lunch

7. 7

   Renaissance Florence

   Personalise your day in this flamboyant city. Join an art historian to explore Renaissance Florence in the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David, or explore markets and gourmet stores with a local foodie, illuminating Florentine specialties. Take a fascinating foraging trip for the region's aromatic truffles guided by an expert truffle dog. Dine on regional dishes including 'Fiorentina' — Tuscan steak seasoned and grilled to perfection — over dinner at a Tuscan Villa.

   Included Dining: Breakfast, Dinner

   Day 8: Tuscan Cuisine and Pisa

   Immerse yourself in the culture of Tuscan food with a hands-on cooking class in the former hunting lodge of the Medici family. Source fresh ingredients from the blooming garden and learn how to roll your own fresh pasta with a professional Italian chef.

   In Pisa, you will be accompanied by your Local Expert, marvel at the gravity-defying Leaning Tower of Pisa and see the Duomo and baptistery.

   Included Dining: Breakfast, Lunch

8. 9

   Exploring the Cinque Terre

   Experience some of the most awe-inspiring coastal scenery on earth at the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre. Join your Local Expert and discover charming Manarola, a picturesque fishing village, before traveling by train to the historic and colourful resort town of Rapallo.

   Included Dining: Breakfast, Dinner

9. 10

   Venice and the Doge's Palace

   You’re treated to the most glamorous of arrivals as you dock at your waterfront hotel. Luxuriate in its charms before an after-hours visit to the magnificent Doge's Palace. Formerly the Doge's residence and the seat of Venetian government, the Palace is the symbol of Venice and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. As the crowds disappear, discover the history, art and culture of the Venetian Republic through the eyes of your local art historian on an after-hours tour.

   Included Dining: Breakfast

10. 11

    The Magic of Venice

    Experience the classic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train journey. Depart Venice late morning for a romantic overnight journey to Paris. The bygone glamour of luxury travels breathes within the vintage carriages of the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. It is, quite simply, the most storied set of carriages in the world transporting you to another world entirely. From the art deco flourishes to the masterful marquetry the train epitomises the opulence and elegance of the Golden Age of travel.

    Be enticed by the flavours of Europe aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express as local and fresh ingredients are taken on board at stops along the route. From a delicious three-course lunch to a sumptuous four-course dinner and continental breakfast served in your cabin, you are treated with unique dining experiences.

    Included Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

11. 12

    Depart Paris

    Your wonderful stay concludes with private transfers to the airport after breakfast.

    Included Dining: Breakfast

    This itinerary is subject to change.

Accommodation

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Book this tour

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.