An Icon of Art Deco Design
Enter a world of timeless glamour as you travel between Europe’s most captivating cities aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the most storied set of carriages in the world. Be wined and dined in meticulously restored 1920s dining cars, and raise sparkling toasts in the iconic Bar Car ‘3674’. Between plush cabins and palpable history, an astonishing journey awaits.
JOURNEY FROM LONDON TO VENICE
From the luxury of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond train, to the timeless beauty of La Serenissima, plan your perfect Italian holiday with Belmond. On this iconic journey, travel back in time aboard the luxury sleeper train that needs no introduction. With polished wood, sumptuous upholstery, and antique fixtures, the train epitomizes the glamour and elegance of the Golden Age of travel. Arriving in Venice with its fabled lagoons, you’ll spend two nights at Hotel Cipriani, a legendary hideaway exudes romance and sophistication. Exquisite antiques whisk you back in time, while Michelin-starred gastronomy tantalizes the taste buds.
Book the itinerary below, or contact Belmound to help arrange the adventure of your dreams.
Itinerary
Day 1: London
Embark on the Eurostar at London’s St. Pancras Station. Once in France, board the gleaming Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train. Settle into your private cabin and prepare for a sumptuous four-course dinner.
Day 2: Venice
After breakfast served in your cabin, marvel at the stunning mountain scenery. Enjoy lunch as the train enters Italy. Lush vineyards and charming villages feature on the journey into Venice. Settle in to Hotel Cipriani for a two-night stay.
Day 3-4: Venice
Bask in the starry history of Hotel Cipriani, visited by everyone from Sophia Loren to George Clooney. Swim in the Olympic-size pool, the only outdoor pool in Venice. Explore Venice’s winding streets and charming canals at your leisure.
Serene Cycling: Venture Across Venice on Two Wheels
Savour the sweet life at a gentle pace with a slow bike ride along the sandbars of Lio Piccolo or on Sant’Erasmo island. The island is known as the green heart of Venice and provides a natural paradise for Barena Honey bees. Visit the beehives, owned by a local family, and end the tour at Il Miele del Doge where you’ll sample delicious local products. Alternatively, head to a local farm for a relaxing pony ride across the island. Pause for a refined picnic by a Venetian barene and admire the lagoon views.
Curated Experience: Enhance your stay
Hop aboard hotel’s complimentary luxury shuttle boat, departing from St Mark’s Square every 15 minutes, and unwind by the legendary, supersized pool of Hotel Cipriani. The fully equipped cabanas have been sumptuously restyled with Rubelli fabrics for the 2024 season. Reserve one to elevate your poolside experience, enjoying a secluded, private space with fresh fruit and sparkling wine included. Relax, soak up the rays and savor the dolce vita vibe of one of the world’s most iconic pools.
Lagoon Living
Edipo Re
Set sail into the Venetian lagoon aboard Edipo Re, the beautiful boat on which opera diva Maria Callas and film director Pier Paolo Pasolini developed a profound love. Firstly, explore the lesser-known corners such as Torcello, with its seventh-century cathedral and shimmering Byzantine mosaics, and Pellestrina, a narrow sliver of land barely 200 meters wide. Then, after your explorations, return to the gleaming deck for dinner, cocktails, or canapés, or a tasting of exquisite local produce such as cult caparossoli clams or Venetian softshell crab. Moreover, different tour options are available. Finally, ask the Concierge to recommend what best matches your interests.
Shirley
Hop aboard the hotel’s private boat, Shirley, or another gleaming wooden vessel. Enjoy an enchanting tour of the islands where art, craftsmanship, culture, tradition, and fine food are irresistibly blended. Personalize your tour choosing from:
Murano
Visit the home of traditional blown glass to watch the experts in action. After a factory tour, you can also visit the island’s Church of St. Maria and St. Donato to admire extraordinary Venetian-Byzantine architecture, including 12th-century floor mosaics.
Burano
Once famous for its delicate and ornate lace, Burano is distinguished by its colorful fishermen’s cottages – blues, reds, yellows and purples all stunningly reflected in the water. Stroll along inviting streets, buy decorative lace and linen, and sample the famous island pastries, buranei.
Torcello
First inhabited in 400 AD, this was where the earliest Venetians settled. Now just 15 inhabitants live here, mainly fishing and farming. Discover the majestic Torcello Cathedral, visible for miles around and concealing glittering marble mosaics within. You can also combine a visit to the lesser known islands of the northern lagoon, such as lush Sant’Erasmo, San Francesco del Deserto, home to a Franciscan monastery, and San Michele, the city’s monumental cemetery. Or explore fascinating islands in the southern lagoon, such as San Lazzaro, site of an Armenian monastery, long, thin Pellestrina, and Lido, famous for its beaches and Venice Film Festival.
Customize your tour with the hotel Concierge. A professional guide can accompany you. Duration varies according to the number of islands visited. Recommended departure time: 10:00.
Island Vineyard
Embark on a private tour of two extraordinary lagoon wineries and meet their pioneering owners. Departing from the hotel in an elegant wooden boat, head to tranquil Mazzorbo island, a 45-minute ride away. Matteo Bisol will open the doors to his estate.
Venissa is one of the last remaining examples of a walled vineyard with a heritage dating back to the Middle Ages. Adding to the sense of serenity is the soaring 14th-century bell tower of St Michael the Archangel Church. The vineyard is home to original, ungrafted vines, whose roots are nurtured by lime- and clay-rich soils. After showing you around, Matteo will give you a tasting of his globally prized Venissa wine. Your second stop is Sant’Erasmo island, 20 minutes away, where a wine called Orto is produced. Michel Thoulouze will welcome you in his red Ape car. Sample the revered white together with tasty lagoon bites before returning to the hotel.
Suggested departure time: 10:30. Tour lasts 4 hours. Mazzorbo and Sant’Erasmo wines are available in Hotel Cipriani’s restaurants.
Gondola Tour in Venice
When in Venice, a gondola ride is an absolute must. Embark on a leisurely tour discovering the city’s picturesque canals. After exploring the smaller waterways, glide up to Rialto Bridge and enter the Grand Canal before slowly rowing back to St Mark’s. Fancy a little music as you drift? Let the concierge know and they will arrange a musician to serenade you.
Sunrise on the Scalinata Del Bovolo
Board the complimentary shuttle to St. Mark’s early in the morning, while the city is still sleeping, and prepare for an unforgettable experience. Walk among the deserted streets – Venice is all yours at this time of day – to reach the stunning Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. Climb its impressive spiral staircase and take a seat at a private table overlooking the rooftops. Savour breakfast as the sun comes up and Venice, spread out beneath you, slowly wakes up.
Tour of the Jewish Ghetto
Venice was the site of the world’s first-ever ghetto. Gain insight into its history on this thought-provoking tour, which begins with a visit to four out of the five existing synagogues in Venice. Admire their different architectural styles and visit the Jewish Museum to learn about centuries-old Venetian Jewish heritage. At the end of your tour, enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of wine with your guide and discuss all that you’ve seen and experienced.
Hotel Cipriani Recommended Itineraries:
- San Marco and Rialto: Discover the treasures of St Mark’s Square: The Doge’s Palace and Basilica. Before strolling to the Rialto, try enjoying an hour at each monument.
- Castello: Unearth one of the city’s most authentic districts. A naval museum, boat ramps, and the Venetian Arsenal sit cheek-by-jowl with beautiful churches.
- Dorsoduro and San Polo: Be immersed in art from the 15th century onwards. Gallerie dell’Accademia, Ca’ Rezzonico, and Punta della Dogana are among the unmissable highlights. Modern European and American masterpieces can be enjoyed at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, set in the collector’s former home on the Grand Canal.
- Cannaregio: This rarely visited area near the train station, around 20 minutes by water taxi from the hotel, is home to the oldest ghetto in Europe, the Church of Madonna dell’Orto, and the ornate Cà d’Oro palace.
It is strongly recommended to book your tour at least a week in advance with the Concierge.
Bacaro Tour
Immerse yourself in the most authentic of Venetian traditions on an engaging walk led by an English-speaking guide. The bacaro is a social watering hole where locals go for a refreshing ombra (drink), a cichetto (typical Venetian snack), and a bit of gossip. Venetians gather in the small, typical trattoria furnished with wooden tables and benches to exchange news and laugh with the owners, who are often lifelong friends.
This unforgettable journey with Belmond offers a unique blend of luxury, history, and culture, making it one of the top travel experiences to cherish in 2025.
Stay tuned for more vacation ideas on AdrienneBalkum.com. Happy planning your next adventure!
