Adriatic Luxury with Silversea & the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Begin your holiday in style with included UK airport lounge access before your flight to Rome. On arrival in the Italian capital, you’ll be met and transferred to Civitavecchia and the luxurious Silver Spirit to begin your Mediterranean cruise. Of course, you might choose to arrive early and spend some time in the eternal city, taking in the historic treasures of its Roman past - simply speak to one of our specialists to add a stay in Rome to your itinerary. Otherwise, take the chance for a first taste of life on board the ship, enjoying the first of your included dining experiences. 

Stay: Silver Spirit

Having sailed overnight, you’ll arrive in Salerno, an elegant coastal city set at the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Its atmospheric old town climbs the hillside where ancient Salernum once stood, revealing layers of medieval grandeur and scholarly heritage. At its heart rises a magnificent Romanesque cathedral, rich with art, history and sacred relics. Wander to the Lombard castle for sweeping views, then stroll the palm-lined seafront promenade. Perfectly placed, Salerno is an ideal base for exploring Paestum, Pompeii, and the timeless beauty of Amalfi and Ravello.

Stay: Silver Spirit

Set where the Cilento Coast begins to unfurl, Agropoli rises gracefully above its harbour, a place of timeless calm that comes alive in summer. Overlooking the Gulf of Salerno, this lesser-known coastline rivals the Amalfi in beauty, with golden beaches, secret coves and fiery sunsets. Wander uphill through the Borgo’s flower-filled lanes to the Aragonese castle, where panoramic views stretch across sea and town. Rich in Greek and medieval heritage, Agropoli is perfectly placed for exploring Paestum’s ancient temples and the wild landscapes of the Cilento National Park.

Stay: Silver Spirit

Framed by a sweeping bay, Giardini Naxos is a sun-drenched introduction to Sicily’s rich past and natural beauty. Once the island’s first Greek settlement, it now pairs golden beaches with a relaxed seaside rhythm. Above, Taormina crowns the hillside, its ancient theatre offering spellbinding views across the Ionian Sea to Mount Etna. Journey inland through vineyards and lava-sculpted landscapes to Europe’s most restless volcano, a place of myth and raw power. Back on the shore, raise a glass of local wine and savour Sicily at its most captivating.

Stay: Silver Spirit

Approaching Valletta by sea, you’ll gain a spectacular perspective of its looming fortifications which form the outer defences of the city’s World Heritage-listed old town. It’s the atmospheric setting for a number of today’s optional shore excursions, which take in everywhere from the Grand Master’s Palace to the impressive Fortress City itself. Otherwise, why not take a local’s look at the bustling Mdina, so atmospheric after sundown, or head further afield to explore Malta’s picturesque gardens or take an island-wide sightseeing tour.

Stay: Silver Moon

After a busy few days, enjoy some relaxing time at sea and the chance to fully enjoy all the luxurious facilities onboard Silver Spirit, from its fine-dining restaurants to its sumptuous spa. Head out on deck to spot passing wildlife, soak up some of the world-class entertainment or simply head the pool deck to read a book and work on your tan.

Stay: Silver Spirit

Bathed in Ionian light, Sarandë sits just across the water from Corfu, blessed with crystalline seas and an easy Mediterranean rhythm. Spend sunlit days on turquoise beaches or wander a coastline rich in ancient stories. The lively seafront boulevard hums with cafés and bars, while hilltop Lekursi Castle delivers sweeping views across sea and islands. Beyond the town, discover the sapphire depths of the Blue Eye Spring and step into history at UNESCO-listed Butrint, where Greek and Roman ruins emerge from lush woodland.

Stay: Silver Spirit

The fortified town of Kotor boasts a spectacular, imposing staging that few can match. Kotor's warren-like streets drip with history. Under Venetian influence for four centuries, the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site old town invites you to wander amid atmospheric stone-clad streets, overlooked by a sea of terracotta roofs and the double towers of the cathedral. Learn of the city's extensive heritage on the waves, in the dedicated maritime museum that is contained within Grgurina Palace. If you’re up for an aerobic challenge, tackle the 1,350 steps up the steep walls to St John's fortress. The views over the gorgeous bay make the arduous slog worth it, as you rise past the city's eye-catching 15th-century church bell tower.

Stay: Silver Moon

With its imposing battlements and terracotta-roofed old town surrounded by impossibly turquoise seas, medieval Dubrovnik has set the scene for many a Hollywood blockbuster. Today, it’s yours to explore with the likes of guided city tours introducing you to this Croatian gem’s storied past. For an insider’s look at the city’s film-star good looks, a Game of Thrones tour will bring you to some of the best-known filming locations. Alternatively, head outside the city for a countryside visit, or splash out on an upgraded kayak trip beneath the city walls.

Stay: Silver Moon

Split unfolds around one of Europe’s most remarkable living monuments, Diocletian’s Palace, where Roman stonework frames lively streets filled with wine bars, cafés and hidden courtyards. Palms line the seafront promenade, while limestone hills rise behind the city, offering breathtaking viewpoints. Wander the atmospheric old town, rich with scent and history, or escape by boat to nearby islands. Perfectly placed for adventures to Krka’s waterfalls or UNESCO-listed Trogir, Split blends ancient grandeur with a vibrant Adriatic spirit.

Stay: Silver Spirit

Ravenna reveals its treasures quietly. Step inside its unassuming churches and a world of dazzling Byzantine mosaics unfolds, glowing with colour and devotion. With eight UNESCO-listed monuments, the city is a living gallery of 1,500 years of artistry, crowned by the radiant Basilica di San Vitale and the star-lit Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Literary and creative spirits have long been drawn here, from Dante to Cole Porter. Beyond its cultural riches, savour Emilia-Romagna flavours, from Sangiovese wines to warm piadina and vibrant local olive oil.

Stay: Silver Spirit

Poised at a crossroads of cultures, Trieste is a city shaped by history, trade and the sea. Set along the Adriatic near the Slovenian border, its grand piazzas and elegant architecture reflect centuries of influence. Piazza Unità d’Italia opens dramatically onto the water, while the Canale Grande invites leisurely strolls past neoclassical façades. This is Italy’s coffee capital, best enjoyed in time-honoured cafés. Beyond the centre, hilltop cathedrals and storybook Miramare Castle gaze across the Gulf, completing Trieste’s quietly captivating allure.

Stay: Silver Spirit

Arrive in Venice this morning, where you’ll disembark and transfer to the luxurious Metropole Hotel for one night.  You'll have some time to explore Venice at your own pace, perhaps taking in the likes of The Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Square, taking a gondola ride or simply taking in the unique atmosphere accompanied by a gelato or Bellini cocktail – a Hemmingway favourite.

Today marks yet another trip highlight in this extraordinary adventure. Having checked out of your hotel, a private transfer will see you to Santa Lucia station where you’ll board the famous blue-and-gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Then, accompanied by the very best in fine dining and white-glove service, you’ll begin one of the world’s great rail journeys, a romantic overnight passage to Paris. Then transfer to Eurostar for your onward connection to London St Pancras.

Wake this morning in your private cabin or suite to a delicious Continental breakfast as the landscapes of France rush past. Then, after brunch served in one of the art-deco dining cars, you’ll disembark in Paris and board the Eurostar for the final leg of the journey into London St Pancras.