London to Venice Signature with Belmond Simplon Orient Express

This majestic five star hotel presides over the River Thames with outstanding views; anticipate fully refurbished Victorian elegance. From glittering chandeliers to contemporary design, this central hotel opposite the London Eye reflects a proud heritage. Enjoy the original tiled floors and discover a hotel with a secret past. Stay in the building that was once home and office to the first "Chief" of Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Sir Mansfield Cumming, and now commemorated with an English Heritage Blue Plaque.

This guided walking tour of the British capital captures the best of two worlds - the royal London of Westminster and the ancient London of the City. In the middle of the day, pause for a lovely pub lunch. The tour starts at the front steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Stroll through London's most famous piazza, Trafalgar Square, admiring Nelson's Column, then walk down the dramatic Mall which leads to Buckingham Palace, on which many royal processions take place. You'll stop briefly at Henry VII's St James's Palace and then watch the Changing of The Guard near Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official residence in London. Afterwards, the scene shifts to Horse Guards Parade where the Queen's Life Guards are on duty 24/7, protecting the royal palaces. You'll then walk down the Whitehall, passing #10 Downing Street - the Prime Minister's residence - the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.

After arriving to Westminster Abbey, jump into an iconic Black cab which will whisk you to a traditional English pub for a lovely lunch. After lunch, magnificent St Paul's Cathedral is yours to discover, built by Christopher Wren, after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Spend time inside the magical Whispering Gallery to see the amazing painted dome up close. Leaving St Paul's, begin exploring the City of London, which dates back 2000 years, when the Romans called it Londinium. We visit London's only Roman Amphitheatre and the historic Guildhall. Pass the historic Bank of England, and experience how the city's skyline is changing with new buildings such as the Gherkin, Cheesegrater and Walkie-Talkie. Visit Harry Potter's Diagon Alley and the Monument which marks where the Great Fire of London started.

Finally, you'll arrive at the Tower of London, the famous royal fortress where the Queen keeps her Crown Jewels. Here, the tour ends, and you can easily take a taxi, a bus, a tube train or a river boat to anywhere in London.

At 135 meters (approximately 443 feet), the London Eye is the world's largest cantilevered observation wheel. It was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects and was launched in 2000, and has since won over 85 awards for national and international tourism, outstanding architectural quality and engineering achievement. The observation wheel turns slow enough for people to embark while it is moving, and a complete turn takes about thirty minutes. Thanks to the construction of the glass capsules on the outer side of the rim, you will have a great 360-degree view of London. Many famous landmarks are clearly visible, including Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament. On a clear day, you can see as far as 40 kilometers (approximately 25 miles). Make sure to reserve a specific time in advance as all entries now require a fixed-time reservation. A helpful hint? It's less crowded at night and the views on a clear night are even more spectacular.

Passengers check in at least an hour before departure at the Venice Simplon Orient Express office on platform 2 at London Victoria Station. Check-in opens a couple of hours before departure. Inside the office is a check-in desk where you are given your British Pullman train car and seat allocation for the train to Folkestone and your sleeping-car letter and compartment number for the Continental train from Calais. You can check your large bags through to your final destination (but remember you'll need overnight gear for the train), or they can be checked through to Calais to be waiting for you in your sleeper compartment when you board the continental train.

Board the Belmond British Pullman train at London Victoria station, your steward will show you to your reserved seat. You'll find a booklet about the history of the Pullman cars at your seat on board the train. Sit back and enjoy brunch, served with a Bellini as you travel through the Kentish countryside.

The VSOE British Pullman train terminates at Folkestone West, a small station just west of Folkestone Central. Here, passengers transfer to a fleet of executive road coaches which drive from Folkestone West to the nearby Channel Tunnel terminal. After a brief rest stop in the terminal, you will cross the Channel on the Eurotunnel shuttle train though the Channel Tunnel. But it's quick and an interesting experience in its own right. After crossing the Channel you will arrive at Calais, the coaches will drive off the shuttle train at the Eurotunnel terminal and head for Calais Ville station.

If the British Pullman train was the hors d'ouevre, now for the main course... At Calais Ville, you board the VSOE's continental train of restored blue-and-gold 1920s Wagons-Lits sleeping-cars for Paris, Innsbruck, Verona and Venice. You have half an hour to take photos, the train normally leaves around 5:20pm local time. The VSOE travels to Paris via Vimy, Arras and Longeau as this route is fully electrified.

Enjoy a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by skilled French chefs. The Venice Simplon Orient Express has three restaurant cars, each with unique decor. You'll be allocated a restaurant car but feel free to request a table. Make sure you experience two different ones at dinner and lunch.

You'll return from dinner to find your compartment converted into a bedroom by the sleeper attendant, with upper and lower berths. The beds are more comfortable than many hotel beds. There are toilets at each end of the corridor and the door locks securely with both a lock and security chain.

In spite of its name, the Venice Simplon Orient Express no longer uses the Simplon route via Lausanne, Brig and Milan. Instead, it runs overnight from Paris to Switzerland and you'll probably wake just east of Zurich running alongside the sparkling waters of the Zurichsee or Walensee with a breathtaking mountain backdrop. A Continental breakfast of excellent coffee, juice and fresh croissant is served on a tray in your compartment by your sleeper attendant.

Spend the morning relaxing in your cabin or in the Bar Car chatting to fellow guests. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch which is served in another one of the beautiful restaurant cars.

While away in the afternoon, admire the passing scenery as the train travels through the Italian Dolomites. Later, afternoon tea is served in your cabin.
All too soon it is time to prepare to disembark as the train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and pulls into Santa Lucia station.

Ideally positioned a stone's throw from Piazza San Marco, right in the heart of Venice, facing the San Marco Basin and the island of San Giorgio, the Luna Hotel Baglioni is situated a short distance from the most famous historical and artistic attractions of the city. This historic Venetian hotel, member of the Leading Hotels of the World and Fine Hotels and Resorts, is housed in a magnificent, aristocratic Venetian palace and offers its guests an intimate, welcoming atmosphere combined with impeccable service.

Enjoy a 2 hour private walking tour of Venice with an English speaking local Guide. See St. Mark's Square, the heart of political and religious power of the Venetian Republic for centuries, and learn the history that lies behind the walls of its most famous landmarks; the Basilica and its Byzantine heritage, the Doge's Palace and its adjoining prisons, that retain the true secrets to comprehend how a city built on swamps became one of the most enlightened cities in the western world. Then, leave St. Mark's behind you to discover the enchanting Hidden Venice. Following a monumental route, your guide will narrate the in-depth history of Venice from its origins to the modern-day. You'll hear tales of illustrious Venetian characters like Marco Polo and Casanova. Other highlights include Marco Polo's House, a Merchants Warehouse, the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa with its outstanding Venetian Palaces, the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo (the Pantheon of Venice), and at the Scuola di San Marco; you'll learn about the famous Confraternities (Schools) of merchants and artisans that provided the foundations of the Venetian mercantile empire. This walking tour of Venice finishes at the evocative Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Market. Entrances are not included.

The Grand Canal of Venice is the most spectacular 'high street' in the world. The beautiful palaces were constructed over hundreds of years and slowly the Grand Canal became what it is today. This 60 min tour includes a cruise along the city's more secluded waterways to enjoy the picturesque small bridges and 'off the beaten track' sights, to introduce you to a quieter Venice.
Venice was built to be appreciated from the water, the facades of the city can only be seen from the canals. Our boat tour in a private motor-launch gives you a great overall view of the city, covering many of the sestieri (areas). During the Cruise, enjoy a bottle of Prosecco.