British Isles Rail and Sail itinerary May 2020 Steam Dreams

Cruise Express

Australian owned and operated

European Splendor Itinerary

Date 2020 Itinerary ARR DEP
6 JUL Fly from Australia to London
7 JUL London – Transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: The May Fair Hotel (or similar)
8 JUL London – Full day at leisure.
Overnight: The May Fair Hotel (or similar) (B)
9 JUL London – Transfer to London’s Victoria Station to board the Belmond British Pullman. Your steward will show you to your reserved seat. Sit back and enjoy brunch served with a Bellini as you travel through the Kentish countryside. After arriving in Folkestone you’ll cross the channel aboard by exclusive coach to Callais-Ville to board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Enjoy a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by skilled French chefs. After dinner retire to your cabin, which has now been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

Overnight: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. (BR,D)

10am
10 JUL

Venice – Awake to magnificent mountain and countryside scenery as breakfast is served in your cabin at a time to suit you. 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 the afternoon admiring the passing scenery. Later, a selection of pastries are 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. Alight and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Belmond Hotel Cipriani – (B,L)

6.30pm
11 JUL

Venice – Full day at leisure.

Overnight: Belmond Hotel Cipriani – (B)

12 JUL

Venice – Full day at leisure.

Overnight: Belmond Hotel Cipriani – (B)

13 JUL

Venice – Transfer to the port to embark Seven Seas Splendor (B,L,D)

6pm
14 JUL

Split –  Croatia (B,L,D)

Split is the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast. Split achieved fame when the Roman emperor Diocletian, noted for his persecution of early Christians, had his retirement palace built here. The spectacular stone edifice and its grounds and cellars are a major highlight of any city tour. Other points of interest include the Cathedral of St. Duje, built on the remains of an ancient shrine purported to be the oldest in the world; and the Mestrovic Gallery, where the impressive works of Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic are available for viewing in this home and atelier.

9am 7pm
15 JUL Kotor – Montenegro (B,L,D)

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro, located in a most secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The old port, surrounded by an impressive city wall built by the House of Nemanjicc, is very well preserved and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Numerous other attractions include the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in the old town (built in 1166), and ancient walls which stretch directly above the city. Nightlife also attracts tourists to Kotor with pubs, taverns, cafes, and nightclubs.

8am 5pm
16 JUL Corfu – Greece (B,L,D)

Legendary Corfu is a lush and romantic island, written about by Homer in his famous Odyssey. The island’s history is full of battles, indicative of Corfu’s turbulent position that lasted until modern times with unification with modern Greece in 1864. Corfu offers a combination of cosmopolitan and time-honored Greece. As well as a flower-strewn countryside and Adriatic-style villages, Corfu has splendid coastal scenery and some excellent secluded beaches.

8am 6pm
17 JUL

Katakolon – Greece (B,L,D)

Step back in time at Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games – now deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relive the roaring cheers of the spectators as the athletes took their marks on the marble starting blocks, and picture the temples, the treasuries, the porticoes and statues as they were.

8am 5pm
18 JUL Santorini – Greece (B,L,D)

With dramatic views of classic whitewashed houses clinging perilously to the side of the caldera and stunning beaches of white and red sand or black pebbles, it’s no wonder this may be the most photographed scenery in the world. Visit Ancient Akrotiri, the archeological site of a town frozen in time by ash from an eruption 3,600 years ago. Also worth a day trip is the Volcano of Santorini Palea (old) Kameni and Nea (new) Kameni , two small islands of black lava positioned in the centre of the basin of Santorini.

10am 11pm
19 JUL Mykonos – Greece (B,L,D)

Steeped in Greek mythological history, Mykonos was named after Apollo’s grandson and was the location of the grand battle between Zeus and the Gigantes. Today, this island is one of Greece’s most adored destinations due to its picture- postcard setting and growing nightlife. Mykonos is a superb example of Cycladic architecture, and by law even new buildings have to be built in the same style of whitewashed, organic, cube-like buildings. Be sure to plan a day trip to take in picturesque Little Venice, the unique Paraportiani church, and the archeological dig at Delos.

8am 6pm
20 JUL Gythion – Greece (B,L,D)

Once the seaport of Sparta, Gythion welcomes visitors with a beautiful coastline and white sand beaches. Near the entrance of the city is the Theatre, which still houses the ruins of the Temple of Athena and the Gates of Castorides. The Archaeological Museum of Gythion has a vast collection that includes finds from excavations of the many ancient sites throughout the city. Be sure to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch al fresco in a traditional ouzerie.

8am 6pm
21 JUL At Sea (B,L,D) 8am 7pm
22 JUL Urbino – (Ancona) Greece (B,L,D)

Discover the Renaissance spirit in Urbino, with its towering city walls built according to designs by Leonardo daVinci. Visit the Ducal Palace, the architectural masterpiece, which has stood for over 500 years in the Piazza Duca Frederico. Browse through the bookstore then stroll to Raphael’s House, birthplace of the great painter. Galleries and shops invite exploration: look for simple glazed white ware ceramics unique to Urbino, fine leather goods, wines, locally made cheese and smoked meats. View the incredible frescoes of Saint John the Baptist in the Oratorio di San Giovanni. Take lunch in an outdoor café, enjoying dishes made with locally harvested truffles, fresh cheese, prosciutto and homemade pasta. Enjoy an after lunch espresso and gelato in this vibrant cultural centre set high amid the Appenines.

8am 7pm
23 JUL Venice – Disembark Seven Seas Splendor and transfer to the airport for your flight home to Australia. (B) 7am
24 JUL Arrive Australia

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