The Adriatic, Mykonos & Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Choose between a Eurostar journey or short flight from the UK to Paris, where you’ll check in to the luxurious Hotel Bowmann (or similar). Ideally placed near the Champs-Élysées, it’s the perfect base for an afternoon of independent exploration – perhaps a stroll by the Seine or a visit to a nearby gallery. Alternatively, simply unwind at the hotel with fine dining or a visit to the elegant spa.

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a final morning in Paris before your private transfer to the train station, where a true travel icon awaits. Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a lovingly restored Art Deco masterpiece that evokes the golden age of travel. Step into a world of timeless elegance, where polished marquetry, gleaming brass, and Lalique glass panels set the stage for a journey like no other. Once settled into your private cabin, complete with crisp linens, vintage fixtures, and your own personal steward, head to the Champagne Bar or take a seat in the Piano Bar Car, where a tuxedoed pianist plays softly as you sip cocktails in style.

As the train departs Paris and glides through the French countryside, prepare for a multi-course gourmet dinner, served in one of the opulent dining cars, each with its own distinctive design. Expect fine silverware, crystal glasses, and seasonal dishes crafted by expert French chefs using the freshest ingredients from local markets along the route. After dinner, perhaps linger in the bar or return to your cabin, which will have been transformed into a cosy sleeping compartment for the night.

Awake to breathtaking views of the Italian Alps and the Dolomites as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express rolls gracefully through northern Italy. After a leisurely breakfast and a final lunch in the train’s elegant dining car, you'll arrive in Venice in the early afternoon. A private water taxi will take you from the station to your hotel for the night – the Hotel Metropole Venice.

One of the city’s last independently owned five-star hotels, the Metropole offers a rare blend of Venetian opulence and artistic flair. Located just a short stroll from St Mark’s Square, this richly atmospheric hotel is steeped in history – it once hosted Vivaldi’s orphanage and music school, and today its hallways are lined with antique collections, rare tapestries and exotic artefacts. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to explore. Perhaps wander through the cobbled alleyways and hidden canals nearby, take a gondola ride at sunset, or step inside the majestic Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica.

This morning, after breakfast at the Hotel Metropole, enjoy a final stroll along the waterfront or a quiet coffee in one of Venice’s historic piazzas before your private transfer to the nearby port of Fusina. Here, you'll board the Regent Seven Seas Voyager, your luxurious home for the next week as you explore the Adriatic and Aegean in all-inclusive style. Sleek and sophisticated, Seven Seas Voyager is an all-suite, all-balcony ship designed for no more than 700 guests. Whether it’s the attentive service, the marble bathrooms, or the complimentary fine wines and spirits, everything is curated for comfort. The ship also features a serene spa, a panoramic pool deck, and multiple gourmet dining venues, including the elegant Compass Rose and the French fine-dining restaurant Chartreuse.

Once settled into your spacious suite, take time to familiarise yourself with the ship. Perhaps enjoy lunch al fresco on deck, or simply relax and watch Venice drift away as the ship departs in the early evening. As night falls, indulge in your first dinner onboard, paired with fine wines and followed by live music or a nightcap under the stars.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager

Tucked between rolling hills and the Adriatic Sea, Rijeka is Croatia’s third-largest city and a vital port with a rich Austro-Hungarian legacy. Though often overlooked in favour of its island neighbours, this dynamic city is steeped in maritime tradition and cultural intrigue.

Visit Trsat Castle for panoramic views over the city and its rooftops, then head to Korzo, Rijeka’s lively pedestrian promenade lined with boutiques, cafés and colourful façades. You could also discover the city’s seafaring past at the Maritime and History Museum, housed in a grand 19th-century governor’s palace.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager

Set on a sparkling stretch of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, Split is a vibrant city where ancient history and contemporary life go hand in hand. At its heart lies a living Roman monument, the mighty palace of Emperor Diocletian, around which the city has grown.

Explore the maze-like alleys within the palace walls, admire the Cathedral of St Duje, and descend into the atmospheric underground cellars. Art lovers may also wish to visit the Mestrovic Gallery, while others might enjoy a stroll along the Riva promenade or a seafood lunch overlooking the harbour.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager

Surrounded by dramatic limestone peaks and nestled at the end of Europe’s southernmost fjord, Kotor is one of Montenegro’s most picturesque coastal towns. Its UNESCO-listed old town is a treasure trove of medieval architecture, stone churches and Venetian palaces.

Walk the ancient city walls, which climb steeply above the bay for commanding views, or explore St Tryphon’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque design. Kotor’s charming streets also reveal vibrant cafés, artisan shops and hidden courtyards – perfect for wandering or relaxing with a glass of local wine.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager

Today is spent at sea, as the Seven Seas Voyager makes its way south toward Greece, sailing the serene waters of the Ionian Sea. It’s the perfect moment to slow down and savour the rhythm of life onboard.

Enjoy coffee on your balcony or unwind with a treatment at the Serene Spa & Wellness™. Dine in one of the ship’s specialty restaurants, take in a lecture or cooking demonstration, or simply relax by the pool with a good book and a cocktail in hand.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager

Once the seaport of ancient Sparta, Gytheio lies on the edge of the Mani Peninsula and offers a charming blend of myth, history and unspoiled coastline. With its neoclassical houses tumbling down to a lively harbour, it’s a window into authentic Greek life.

Explore the nearby ruins of the ancient theatre, wander the remains of the Temple of Athena, or browse the collections of the Archaeological Museum, which documents the region’s long and storied past. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional seafood lunch at a harbour-front taverna as fishing boats bob gently in the bay.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager

Iconic and effortlessly stylish, Mykonos is a Cycladic gem known for its sugar-cube houses, vibrant waterfront, and lively cultural scene. Steeped in Greek mythology, the island is said to have been formed from the bodies of giants defeated by Zeus himself.

Stroll through the charming lanes of Mykonos Town, where bougainvillaea spills over whitewashed walls, and explore highlights such as the windmills, the unique Paraportiani Church, and the postcard-perfect enclave of Little Venice. If time allows, visit nearby Delos, a sacred archaeological island considered the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager

After breakfast, disembark in Athens where a private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home, bringing this exceptional rail-and-sea journey to a close.