Venice is a superb holiday destination with indescribable architectural and scenic beauty at every turn. Around every corner is a new vista with a ‘wow-factor’ higher than anywhere else in Europe. From St Marks Square to the Grand Canal, from the Doges Palace to the Rialto Bridge, Venice will completely captivate you. You will return with hundreds of photos, but none will be as vivid as the memories created by the magic of Venice.
By train to the heart of Venice
Our holiday starts with an escorted afternoon* departure from St Pancras International, London, where we join Eurostar to Paris (journey time just over 2 hours). In Paris we transfer to the Gare de Bercy, with a stop for dinner, to join the Artesia train direct to Venice. On board the Artesia, settle in to your private cabin and relax as the journey to Venice begins. There is a restaurant car on the train with waiter service, or you can obtain snacks and drinks from the snack bar. In the sleeping cars, you can travel with full peace of mind:
• Each cabin has a wash basin, a razor socket, a complimentary toiletry kit, a bottle of water and the comfort of 2 real beds (upper & lower berths).
• Attendants are at your service in each car: they set up the beds and handle customs procedures for you.
• When you wake up, at the time of your choice, the attendant will serve you a hot drink, croissant and fruit juice in your cabin (all included in the price of the ticket).
Making the most of Venice
On arrival in Venice, you will transfer to your hotel near St Marks Square by water taxi. In the afternoon, we include a walking tour of the main sights to help you get your bearings and familiarise yourself with the layout of the city streets and canals.

Day 1: Eurostar to Paris and Artesia to Venice
Check–in at the champagne bar at St Pancras for an afternoon departure from St. Pancras to Paris. Coach transfers to Bercy station with a stop to obtain dinner before boarding the Artesia train.
Day 2: Arrival in Venice
Arrival in Venice Piazzale Roma Station and water taxi transfer to the hotel. Afternoon walking tour of Venice.
Day 3: Free day in Venice.
The day is at leisure for you to enjoy this wonderful location and explore at your own pace.
Day 4: Optional visit to Verona
Free day in Venice or take the optional excursion to Verona with guide – £40pp.
Day 5: A day to explore
A free day to explore more areas of Venice and enjoy some local cuisine.
Day 6: Arrivederci Venice
Check-out of the hotel after breakfast and have free time in the city. Water Taxis transfer to Venice Piazzale Roma Station to board the overnight train to Paris.
Day 7: Paris then home
Arrival in Paris and transfer to the Gare du Nord to take a late morning Eurostar to London St Pancras. Arrive London Mid-afternoon.

Making the most of Venice
The cheapest and easiest travel in Venice is to take a local water bus, known locally as the Vaporetto. The 48 and 72–hour tourist cards are by far the cheapest way to travel as a single journey can cost as much as 6.50 euros. A 48–hour card is 28 euros and 72–hour card is 33 euros.
Many sights are free and a list of the top 11 is listed below. However, transport by Vaporetto will be needed to visit some of them. Your Tour Manager will be available throughout to assist.
The top free places to visit in Venice
1. Piazza San Marco
2. Basilica di San Marco
3. Venice Waterfront (St Mark’s Basin)
4. Grand Canal
5. Rialto Bridge
6. Rialto Food Markets
7. Venetian Ghetto
8. Canali, campi, calli (canals, squares, and back streets)
9. Churches (Salute, Carmini, and others that don't charge admission)
10. Shopping Streets
11. Islands of the Lagoon (San Michele cemetery, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Lido)
The most interesting islands are:
San Michele, Venice’s public cemetery. The walled island is only a few minutes from the Fondamente Nove vaporetto stop, and it’s a surprisingly cheerful place to visit. The Catholic sections are well maintained, with high–rise mausoleums for the residents’ bones (which are usually removed from underground graves after 12 years), while the Reformed and Orthodox sections have the atmosphere of old British or New England churchyards.
Murano, the centre of the Venetian Lagoon’s glass-making industry since 1291 AD You can visit a factory and watch a glassmaker at work without paying (or buying) anything. The island also has several nice churches and two glass museums, one of which – the Barvovier & Toso Museum – is free.
Burano, traditionally Venice’s lace-making island, which has an interesting lace museum (admission charge) and is famous for its brightly painted houses. A wooden footbridge connects Burano to Mazzorbo, a satellite island with a modern council-housing estate that’s worth visiting if you’re intrigued by architecture or urban design.
Torcello, which once had a greater population than Venice, is just a few minutes from Burano by a connecting boat line. It’s worth paying to visit the 1,000–year–old cathedral with its stunning Byzantine gold and stone mosaics. Buy a combination ticket that includes the tower, which is easy to climb and offers great views of the island and the Lagoon.
The Lido is a residential suburb with a lively shopping district. Cars and buses are allowed, so watch out for the mostly slow–moving traffic. (The island’s sightseeing possibilities are minimal, but you can walk to the beach – which is on the opposite side of the narrow island from the boat landing – and wet your feet in the Adriatic Sea).

Hotel Ala, Venice
The Hotel Ala is located in the heart of Venice - short walk from St Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal. The hotel was once a palace dating back to the 18th century. Some of the art works which decorate the hotel’s interior are even older and there is a spectacular work by the famous artist Canalletto. The palace was transformed into a hotel in the 60s and it has been run by the Salmaso family for more than 15 years. The hotel has been completely remodelled to ensure that all the public areas as well the bedrooms have the Venetian charm you would expect in this fantastic city. The floors are in traditional terrazzo and the walls are finished in the traditional hand–finished ‘stucchi veneziani’ style. There is a beautiful white marble staircase and some exquisite glass chandeliers by Giorgio Ferro, a glass master from Murano, the famous island of glass. You can relax with a drink in the American Bar where you’ll find everything from international brands, wines, tea and wonderful cookies to accompany any type of drink you choose. Twin or double’bedded rooms are available with bathroom, hairdryer and courtesy kit, flat-screen satellite TV, safe, minibar and wifi Internet connection. Many rooms are for non–smokers and these should be requested when booking.

INCLUDED: Champagne check-in at St Pancras famous Champagne Bar • Escorted throughout from London • Return Eurostar to Paris and TGV⁄Artesia to Venice • Private 2–berth cabin on the Artestia train with continental breakfast and a hot drink • Transfers in France⁄Italy • 4 nights in Venice at the Best Western Hotel Ala • 4 breakfasts • Guided ‘Highlights of Venice’ walking tour
NOT INCLUDED: Single room supplement £295 • Local travel to & from St Pancras • Optional visit to Verona £40pp • Travel Insurance