Venice & Prague with the Orient Express
Sunday 5th October to Sunday 12th October 2008
For the first time the Railway Touring Company is presenting a trip on the legendary Venice Simplon Orient Express, from Venice to London. We spend time in the romantic city of Vienna and the most beautiful city of Prague, two of the finest cities in the world. To reach Venice we travel first class in fast trains to avoid flying and make the journey in comfort. Our quality hotels will add to our enjoyment. Everybody has heard of the luxury of the Orient Express and now we can travel on it.
Sunday 5th October
Eurostar and TGV to Turin
We leave St. Pancras at 09:00 on a Eurostar train for Paris Gare du Nord. Travelling first class breakfast will be served at our seats. On arrival we transfer by private coach to Paris Gare de Lyon, joining a TGV service to Turin that passes through Chambery and the Mount Cenis Tunnel, as we pass through the Alps. Arriving before 20:00 we have dinner in our four star hotel. (B D)
Monday 6th October
Intercity Train to Venice
After breakfast in our hotel we board the midday EuroCity train for Venice where we arrive at 14:30 and transfer to our four star hotel for two nights. In the afternoon there will be free time to explore Venice and find a restaurant for dinner. (B)
Tuesday 7th October
Venice
This morning we have a chartered boat to pick us up near the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Venice including St Mark’s Square with its Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bell Tower. We see the Bridge of Sighs and many other famous buildings and places.
For lunch we cruise out to the island of Merano, in the lagoon. There is a free afternoon perhaps to stay and explore Merano, to ride in a gondola or ride on the water bus. In the evening we have dinner in a Venetian restaurant.
(B L D)
Wednesday 8th October
Depart Venice on the Orient Express
We have another morning at leisure to explore before we board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Orient Express for departure around tea time. We meet our personal stewards who look after us throughout our journey.
After settling in to our comfortable compartments it will soon be time to dress for dinner.
Before taking our seats in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars we can sip an aperitif in the bar car. After dinner we can linger in the bar listening to the sounds of the piano and, when ready, retire to our compartment now transformed into a cosy bedroom. (B L D)
Thursday 9th October
Orient Express to Vienna
When we awake we will be travelling through Austria, perhaps over the Semmering Pass. Breakfast is served in our compartments when requested. Our train pauses in Vienna briefly for our train to reverse before we continue, seeing the Danube and crossing the borer into the Czech Republic at Gmund. We have a three-course lunch in one of the magnificent restaurant cars. We can spend the day relaxing in the comfort of our compartment, or chat with fellow travellers over coffee in the bar car. Either way we can watch the beautiful passing scenery before our train pulls in to Prague’s Hlavni station in the late afternoon where we transfer to our five star hotel for dinner and two nights overnight accommodation. (B L D)
Friday 10th October
Prague
Today we enjoy the many attractions of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Prague’s city centre comprises four areas, spanning both banks of the Vltava River. On one side is the Old Town with its square, the New Town with Wenceslas Square, and the Jewish Quarter. On the other side is the Lesser Quarter which leads up to Prague Castle. Prague Castle, in the Hradcany district, is the premier Prague tourist attraction. Located on a hill, it offers fine views over the city. There is a guided tour in the morning but later we can wander at leisure, perhaps stopping at one of the many pavement cafés for coffee. (B)
Saturday 11th October
Orient Express
After spending the morning at leisure, perhaps to buy some presents, we rejoin the Orient Express bound for London. After we leave Prague at around 14:00 afternoon tea is served by our personal stewards in our compartments as we relax on board. Our train crosses the border into Germany and we have a leisurely four-course dinner, prepared on board by the skilled French chefs. We can again enjoy a drink or two with convivial company in the bar before retiring for the night. (B D)
Sunday 12th October
To London Victoria
Continental breakfast is brought to us by our stewards as we approach Paris. After a brief call at the Gare de Lyon we enjoy a delicious brunch in the restaurant car as we travel towards the French coast. After crossing the Channel we board the traditional cream and umber carriages of British Pullmans for the journey to London. Afternoon tea, with a glass of champagne, is served while we watch the gentle scenery of Kent pass. All too soon we arrive in London. It may be the end of our journey but the memories will last a lifetime. (B L)
Eurostar and TGV to Turin
We leave St. Pancras at 09:00 on a Eurostar train for Paris Gare du Nord. Travelling first class breakfast will be served at our seats. On arrival we transfer by private coach to Paris Gare de Lyon, joining a TGV service to Turin that passes through Chambery and the Mount Cenis Tunnel, as we pass through the Alps. Arriving before 20:00 we have dinner in our four star hotel. (B D)
Monday 6th October
Intercity Train to Venice
After breakfast in our hotel we board the midday EuroCity train for Venice where we arrive at 14:30 and transfer to our four star hotel for two nights. In the afternoon there will be free time to explore Venice and find a restaurant for dinner. (B)
Tuesday 7th October
Venice
This morning we have a chartered boat to pick us up near the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Venice including St Mark’s Square with its Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bell Tower. We see the Bridge of Sighs and many other famous buildings and places.
For lunch we cruise out to the island of Merano, in the lagoon. There is a free afternoon perhaps to stay and explore Merano, to ride in a gondola or ride on the water bus. In the evening we have dinner in a Venetian restaurant.
(B L D)
Wednesday 8th October
Depart Venice on the Orient Express
We have another morning at leisure to explore before we board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Orient Express for departure around tea time. We meet our personal stewards who look after us throughout our journey.
After settling in to our comfortable compartments it will soon be time to dress for dinner.
Before taking our seats in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars we can sip an aperitif in the bar car. After dinner we can linger in the bar listening to the sounds of the piano and, when ready, retire to our compartment now transformed into a cosy bedroom. (B L D)
Thursday 9th October
Orient Express to Vienna
When we awake we will be travelling through Austria, perhaps over the Semmering Pass. Breakfast is served in our compartments when requested. Our train pauses in Vienna briefly for our train to reverse before we continue, seeing the Danube and crossing the borer into the Czech Republic at Gmund. We have a three-course lunch in one of the magnificent restaurant cars. We can spend the day relaxing in the comfort of our compartment, or chat with fellow travellers over coffee in the bar car. Either way we can watch the beautiful passing scenery before our train pulls in to Prague’s Hlavni station in the late afternoon where we transfer to our five star hotel for dinner and two nights overnight accommodation. (B L D)
Friday 10th October
Prague
Today we enjoy the many attractions of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Prague’s city centre comprises four areas, spanning both banks of the Vltava River. On one side is the Old Town with its square, the New Town with Wenceslas Square, and the Jewish Quarter. On the other side is the Lesser Quarter which leads up to Prague Castle. Prague Castle, in the Hradcany district, is the premier Prague tourist attraction. Located on a hill, it offers fine views over the city. There is a guided tour in the morning but later we can wander at leisure, perhaps stopping at one of the many pavement cafés for coffee. (B)
Saturday 11th October
Orient Express
After spending the morning at leisure, perhaps to buy some presents, we rejoin the Orient Express bound for London. After we leave Prague at around 14:00 afternoon tea is served by our personal stewards in our compartments as we relax on board. Our train crosses the border into Germany and we have a leisurely four-course dinner, prepared on board by the skilled French chefs. We can again enjoy a drink or two with convivial company in the bar before retiring for the night. (B D)
Sunday 12th October
To London Victoria
Continental breakfast is brought to us by our stewards as we approach Paris. After a brief call at the Gare de Lyon we enjoy a delicious brunch in the restaurant car as we travel towards the French coast. After crossing the Channel we board the traditional cream and umber carriages of British Pullmans for the journey to London. Afternoon tea, with a glass of champagne, is served while we watch the gentle scenery of Kent pass. All too soon we arrive in London. It may be the end of our journey but the memories will last a lifetime. (B L)
 |
 |
 |
 |
Price
| Price per person | £2475 |
| Single supplement | £1995 |
Price includes:
- First class train travel from London to Venice
- 4 days and 2 nights on board the Venice Simplon Orient Express
- 5 nights hotel accommodation in quality hotels
- Sightseeing tours of Venice and Prague
- 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners
- The services of a tour manager
Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner