European Grand Tour

Begin in Paris

The ‘City of Love’ has always dazzled visitors with its vibrancy, unique history and romantic moments by the River Seine. Paris is seductive, stunning whatever the weather, but above all, timeless. There’s plenty to do and see in Paris, but it’s a city that captivates its guests with the little things: strolling the cobbled avenues, people-watching in the finest French cafés and savouring freshly-baked pastries from a local boulangerie. Paris oozes chic, with trendy boutiques and haute-couture labels dotted all over every arrondissement.

Overnight train journey from Paris to Venice

Board the Belmond Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express in Paris and settle into your private cabin. A delicious four-course dinner will be served in the restaurant car, and after you can return to your cabin which has been turned into a cosy bedroom.

In the morning, you’ll wake to the magnificent mountain scenery as breakfast is served in your cabin. Spend the morning relaxing before a three-course lunch. While away the afternoon admiring the beautiful landscape before crossing the Venetian lagoon and pulling into Santa Lucia station.

Welcome to Venice

Sat within a shallow lagoon between the mouths of Po and Piave rivers, Venice consists of 118 islands formed by some 170 canals connected by over 400 bridges. The entire city is considered a World Heritage Site, an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building may contain works by some of Europe’s greatest artists. Spend your days discovering hidden galleries, museums and palazzos.

Enchanting Florence

Surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills, the beautiful city of Florence is one of Europe’s most enchanting and historically influential cities. If anywhere in the world can claim to have shaped modern Western consciousness, it is Florence’s grand piazzas and palazzos. The world’s greatest Renaissance artworks and sculpture can be found at every turn in the historical centre, an area that can be traversed on foot in under an hour but would take infinitely longer to properly explore.

When in Rome

Rome, Italy’s capital and largest city, needs little introduction. One of the most historied locations in the world, glorious reminders of Rome’s illustrious past, from ancient Roman wonders to Renaissance masterpieces, are all on show. That’s not to say that its cosmopolitan streets do not embrace the now; Rome is as exhilarating and forward-thinking as ever.

Lively Athens

There are few places where the past comes to life in quite the same way as in Athens. Often referred to as the cradle of Western civilisation, it’s a city bursting at the seams with culture, intrigue, and beauty. It’s not just a place for history buffs, however, it’s also one of the liveliest European capitals. A thriving café culture ensures you’re not left waning in between all the sightseeing and you’ll never have to venture far to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

Heavenly Santorini

Floating in the southern Aegean Sea is a little slice of Greek heaven. A huge volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago left a caldera, which turned the then- circular Santorini into a crescent-shaped island, one that has been charming visitors since they first arrived.

Santorini is the largest island of a small archipelago, wrapping its arms protectively around the islands of Palea, Nea and Thirasia. Sheer cliffs, hundreds of metres high, shield coves and beaches made up of red, white and black sand, while pretty villages of limewashed cubic houses creep up the sides, nestled into every nook and cranny.