Timeless Luxury Featuring Belmond

Welcome to a world where luxury travel transcends the ordinary, and every moment is a masterpiece of elegance and indulgence. No brand embodies this ethos more perfectly than Belmond. With nearly half a century of expertise, Belmond has transformed the landscape of luxury travel, offering an unparalleled collection of opulent hotels, iconic trains, and serene barge cruises.

From the timeless beauty of Hotel Cipriani in Venice to the exquisite journeys aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, Belmond redefines slow travel with a touch of legendary elegance. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary world of Belmond and discover how your next journey can become a timeless adventure.

Day 1: Paris – Sète

Leave behind the City of Lights for the quaint French countryside by private transfer, and embark Pivoine, A Belmond boat.

Board Pivoine in the beautiful seaside port of Sète, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Toast the start of your adventure with chilled champagne as you meet your dedicated crew and guide.

After settling into your airy cabin, enjoy your first taste of life on the water with a cocktail cruise. Soon, Chef serves your first sumptuous dinner of the week, a perfect blend of seasonal delicacies, irresistible wines and balmy views.

Day 2: PALAVAS-LES-FLOTS

After a delicious local breakfast, alight with your guide to explore Sète. The intricate network of streets, canals and bridges has led to the town being called the ‘Venice of Languedoc’. Board the Mansathau: an oyster boat to glide across the Étang de Thau lagoon, a vast saltwater lake renowned for its oysters and mussels, delicacies that you will be invited to sample. Lunch is served on the barge, setting you up for a relaxing afternoon of cruising towards tonight’s mooring. Sip a refreshing aperitif to whet your appetite for tonight’s sublime dinner, followed by a convivial evening on board.

Day 3: AIGUES-MORTES

This morning’s cruise takes you on an exceptionally scenic route that will give you a true feel for the Camargue. Grasp the photographic opportunities as you cruise through the salt marshes, a spellbinding haven for pink flamingos and other wildlife. After lunch on board, disembark with your guide for a tour of Aigues-Mortes, where Louis IX launched two Crusades to the Holy Land in 1248 and 1270. Drenched in fascinating history, the imposing walls, ramparts and towers also conceal a charming and lively hub of shops, markets and cafes. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a charming restaurant on shore.

Day 4: FRANQUEVAUX

Relax during the morning’s picturesque cruise and linger over lunch on board. In the afternoon, your guide takes you to the small village of Le Cailar, where you board a traditional horse-drawn carriage for a deeper exploration of the Camargue. From the comfort of your seat, try to spot the pink flamingos, famous black bulls or elusive bee-eaters, dazzling in their green and yellow plumage. Return to Pivoine for an enchanting dinner on board.

Day 5: ARLES

Today, we glide away from the canal and join the Petit Rhône, followed by the majestic River Rhône. After lunch on board, stride out on a walking tour of Arles. With extraordinary Roman ruins, shady boulevards and colorful houses baking beneath the sun, Arles famously inspired the artist Van Gogh to paint hundreds of works here from 1888-9, including The Night Café and The Starry Night. Recently, the city skyline gained a striking, gleaming Frank Gehry tower, which houses the Luma Arles arts centre.

Day 6: AVIGNON

This morning, embrace Provençal life in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, an enchanting town that has inspired artists, writers and musicians through the ages. Return to the boat for lunch and a cruise to Avignon. Alight for a guided tour of the magnificent Palais des Papes, the former papal palace, and enjoy free time to shop, sit in a gorgeous square watching the world go by or sample Avignon’s café society. Back on board, Chef is curating your epicurean farewell feast. Relish the enchanting ambience as you exchange stories of your extraordinary trip.

Day 7: AVIGNON – Paris

Savor a final breakfast on board before it is time to disembark.

Following disembarkation, you will be privately transferred back to Paris. Enjoy some time in the City of Lights experiencing the luxuries of one of Europe’s most beloved cities before embarking on the next iconic experience.

Day 8: Paris – Venice

Today you will leave Paris for Venice. The only thing more iconic than this city on water, is the journey there.

Board the legendary Venice Simplon- Orient Express, A Belmond Train for 24 hours of pure extravagance.

Your voyage begins on the platform of a famed European city, where historic carriages await your arrival. Meet the conductor, check your bags with our porters, and feel the excitement build.

Then step aboard a world of timeless glamour. We depart shortly.

Once settled in, take a seat in a dining carriage and enjoy a seasonal menu created by Chef Jean Imbert, or let the chef prepare something special by personal request.

After dinner, stride through to Bar Car ‘3674’ for an unforgettable evening of cocktails and conviviality.

At midnight, we brunch. Continue the night over lobster rolls, or perhaps a truffle club sandwich in Bar Car ‘3674’. Quite the sumptuous affair as we criss-cross through the night. And do take your time — our pianist will gladly play until the last guest is ready to retire.

After a night of revelry, enjoy a slumber in one of the historic cabins, suites, or grand suites, each lovingly restored to full 1920s grandeur.

Day 9: Venice

Enjoy breakfast in bed with coffee and pastries served to your cabin.

Make your way through our opulent carriages, each grander and more legendary than the last. Perhaps you’ll stumble upon the bar car, or even our boutique and look-out points. Why not explore and build an appetite? You’re going to need it…

One should always indulge in a lavish lunch if the opportunity arises, such is life on the rails. Meet in one of our dining carriages for spirited conversation over three decadent courses, and perhaps a drop of light Chardonnay to pair. You’ll never know dining like it.

Our journey together ends here, in a new city waiting to be explored. Take your time, as there’s always room for one final cocktail before we arrive.

On arrival to Venice, be met and escorted to the final show-stopper and only way to end a journey such as this – Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel in Venice.

Spend the next few days here reminiscing about the iconic journey of the past two weeks.

With its iconic location, enjoy unrivaled 270-degree views across the lagoon to St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace and the church of St Giorgio, enjoying all the intimacy of this island.

One of the most celebrated hotels in Venice, this iconic hideaway is nothing short of enchanting with a variety of suites and rooms that will make it difficult to say goodbye.

Truly showcasing the best of the New and Old-World European Luxury, our Timeless Luxury itinerary has reshaped what is possible in Europe, and where we are excited to partner with Belmond to showcase this amazing concept.

From the tranquil waterways of France to the historic charm of Venice, every moment is meticulously crafted to immerse you in elegance and comfort. Whether you’re savoring exquisite cuisine aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express or marveling at the architectural splendor of Belmond’s iconic hotels, this itinerary promises memories that will last a lifetime. Start planning your dream itinerary today by finding your travel advisor. Your adventure in timeless luxury awaits!