Venice Simplon - Orient Express

Venice Simplon - Orient Express

Today the Venice Simplon - Orient Express is still the most glamorous way to travel. Escape into the bygone, Golden age, when the "Getting There" was as important as the "being there" but with all the vibrancy and zest of today's contemporary world. The golden age of travel may have been in the Roaring Twenties, but the art of journeying in style is still alive and well today.

16 Night Mediterranean Cruise & Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Day 1 Venice — 01/05/2014
Begin your holiday with a 1nt stay in a 5* Venice hotel.

Day 2 Venice — 02/05/2014
Embark your ship - ms Nieuw Amsterdam
Venice has long been regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and with the Grand Canal, lined with its stunning buildings you can see why. Whilst here take an iconic gondola ride or watch the bronze moors on the clock tower strike the passing of time as they have for the past 500 years. Venice is an unparalleled experience.

Day 3 At Sea — 03/05/2014

Day 4 Katakolon, Olympia — 04/05/2014
The gateway to Olympus and the site of the original Olympic Stadium. Walk on the original stadium track over 2000 years old or visit one of the extensive ruins that transcend time and help you envision what once was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Zeus. Other highlights include the Olympia Archaeological Museum where you will find the Head of Hera, the superb statue of Hermes of Praxiteles, the sculpted ornaments of the Temple of Zeus, and many other priceless works from ancient times.

Day 5 Athens (Piraeus) — 05/05/2014
Athens is a world centre of archaeological research, and home to exciting historical sites such as the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, as well as world-class institutes such as the National Archaeological Museum. It also has a thriving nightlife as well as lively markets, luxurious hammam baths, and stunning views of the city from the peak of Mount Lycabettus.

Day 6 Cruising the Dardanelles — 06/05/2014

Day 7 Istanbul — 07/05/2014
Istanbul’s over-abundance of important historic buildings and exciting new art galleries and museums provides visitors with more than enough to see. Visit the world-famous Grand Bazaar and Spice market, take in the wonders of the stunning Suleymaniye Mosque–one of the most important mosques of the Ottoman Empire, the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Hippodrome to name just a few.

Day 8 Lesvos — 08/05/2014
The island of Lesvos has a striking natural beauty. The white sand at Vatera is one of the longest beaches in Greece. Visit the petrified forest, hike around the bountiful olive groves and spend some time bird-watching. Relax in one of the island’s many cafés and restaurants. Lesvos is also famous for its potent drink of Ouzo.

Day 9 Kusadasi — 09/05/2014
Kusadasi on Turkey's Anatolian Coast is where one travels into the past. In Kusadasi, whitewashed stone houses rise in tiers behind the market district. The palm-lined esplanade is the center of town life, with thousands of merchants offering wares to rival the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Nearby stand the ruins of ancient Ephesus, you enter the city though the Magnesia Gate entrance and walk down a marble road to the ruins of this Roman provincial capital.

Day 10 Thira — 10/05/2014
Thira is famous for its amazing sunsets, which can be enjoyed from anywhere along the rim of the immense caldera, relic of the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The caldera shapes the dramatic and colourful landscape of this island, and makes it a truly stunning place to visit.

Day 11 Argostoli — 11/05/2014
Argostoli is situated on the beautiful Koutavos surrounded by mountains and verdant forests. The sheltered lagoon holds blues waters, traditional fishing boats and is lined with locals selling fresh fish from the markets. This town was destroyed firstly by the German bombings and then ten years later by an earthquake and has been completely re-built but still holds a lot of its original charm and history.

Day 12 At Sea — 12/05/2014

Day 13 Venice — 13/05/2014

Day 14 Venice — 14/05/2014
Disembark your ship - ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Day 14 Venice Simplon — 14/05/2014
Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Venice Santa Lucia station. After you have settled in, it will soon be time to enjoy a three-course lunch in one of the restaurant cars. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the comfort of your cabin gazing at the beautiful passing scenery. Afternoon tea is served in your cabin. A leisurely four-course dinner is served, prepared on board by our skilled French chefs. After dinner retire to your cabin which has now been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

Day 15 Venice Simplon — 15/05/2014
Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you.The train pulls into Paris Gare de l’Est and halts for 40 minutes, take this opportunity to stretch your legs along the platform. A delicious brunch is served in the restaurant cars as you travel on towards the French coast for the Channel crossing. Join the British Pullman for the journey to London. A traditional afternoon tea accompanied by a glass of English sparkling wine is served, before arriving at your destination, London Victoria.

End your holiday with a 2nt stay in a 4* London hotel.

Day 16 London — 16/05/2014
Continue Hotel stay in London

For more information visit www.imaginecruising.co.za