Enjoy a memorable rail break to the Floating City of Venice, where the dynamic atmosphere of carnival time is infectious. Experience the vibrant, theatrical ensembles first hand and enjoy excursions to some of Italy's famed attractions.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
We travel on the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris after meeting at our Departure Office. Here we change trains and continue to Lausanne. We overnight here, then on Day 2 we take the train along the shores of glittering Lake Geneva, beneath the Swiss Alps and through the Simplon Tunnel into Italy, before reaching Venice. Here we transfer by private boat to the 4-Star Hotel Sant'Elena for a four-night stay.
Today we enjoy a guided walking tour of Venice, seeing the iconic floating city's most famous sights such as St Mark's Basilica and the staggering Doge's Palace. Following the tour, we visit Ca'Macana, one of the oldest and finest mask-making workshops in Venice. Each mask is unique, as no design is ever repeated. Here we enjoy a talk on the Venice Carnival and how the authentic handmade masks are created, using the same techniques that have been handed down for 800 years.
Our excursion today takes us on a private boat cruise through the shimmering lagoon and its assorted islands, taking in the landscape that has made Venice justly famous. We make stops at Burano, Torcello and Murano, where we enjoy lunch.
Enjoy a leisurely morning to experience the spectacular Venice Carnival. Admire the masked revellers in elaborate costumes thronging the streets, and enjoy the performances taking place throughout the city. This afternoon we make a visit to the Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, a Gothic masterpiece dating from 1340. Here we embark on a secret itinerary guided tour which gives us the opportunity to explore all the hidden nooks and crannies and secret passageways of the palace, normally locked off from the general public.
Today we leave Venice and travel by rail through the Italian countryside to Turin for a two-night stay at the Hotel Concord. On Day 7 we enjoy a guided tour of the city in the morning, followed by an afternoon at leisure. We take the high-speed train to Paris on Day 8, where we connect with the Eurostar service to London. On arrival in the UK, our tour concludes.
Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.
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