20 E X P E R T T R A V E L L E R E X P E R T T R A V E L L E R 33

T H E M O M E N T

Champagne, lobster and sumptuous interiors conjure up the golden age of travel

Earlier in the evening I had made my husband, all 6ft 3in of him, stand in the corridor to put on his jacket and bow tie. There simply wasn’t enough space in

our tiny cabin for both of us simultaneously to negotiate our way into black-tie finery.

A grouch, you may think, but not a bit of it. The exquisite, sensational Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is not about space, nor for that matter, is it about modern-day conveniences. There are no showers (though each cabin comes with a dainty basin carefully secreted in a cupboard), loos are shared two to a carriage, and air conditioning exists only in the form of a gentle fan and an open window.

And then, of course, there is the bed situation, or bunks to be precise, which are miraculously conjured from our sumptuous daytime banquette while dinner is in progress. Mine is on the top; his on the bottom.

Hardly the recipe for true love, and yet, strange as it would seem, there are few journeys I have ever made that can match this for romance. Whether it’s the sheer nostalgia of stepping back in time to an era of slow, elegant travel; the shiny

beauty of that midnight-blue-liveried train with its polished art deco interiors; the

grandeur of the landscape — the Alps in particular — that whips past

the windows; or the low rumble of wheels on the track that lull you gently to sleep. It is all these things and more. For 24 hours, as we travel between grand European cities, we are ensconced in a time warp. We are genteel, we are gracious,

we are beautifully dressed and we are disconnected from the real

world. We sip champagne, we dine on lobster at tables where the white linen

is starched to wrinkle-free perfection, we play cards in the bar car where a pianist tinkles the night away on a baby grand. And, of Hercule Poirot, there is mercifully no sign.

O U R E X P E R T

PAMELA GOODMANTravel writer

We are genteel, we are gracious, we are beautifully

dressed and we are disconnected from

the real world

E M B A R K O N O U R

G R A N D E U R O P E A N T O U R

SEE OVERLEAF FOR OUR EXCLUSIVE TRIP INCLUDING YOUR JOURNEY ON THE VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS

20 E X P E R T T R A V E L L E R

medieval heart full of charming cobbled streets. Explore the town or venture into Lovcen National Park in the town’s beautiful hinterland.

DAY 7 ZADAR, CROATIAThis is one of the highlights of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, a medley of historic churches, museums and a vibrant clutch of contemporary cafes and top-notch restaurants.

DAYS 8-11 VENICE, LAKE GARDA, ITALYDisembark in Venice and spend the day exploring one of the world’s most beautiful cities before transferring to the tranquil four-star Hotel Caesius Thermae & Spa Resort, the perfect base for relaxing and exploring Lake Garda and beyond over the next three days.

DAY 12 VERONA, ITALYBoard the Venice Simplon- Orient-Express in Verona, close to Lake Garda, and relax into your journey to London aboard the world’s most famous and luxurious train.

DAY 13 LONDONArrive in London.

Hotel Caesius Thermae & Spa, Lake

GardaThis five-star

hotel comes recommended

for its fine wellness centre, peaceful

waterfront setting and tranquil Mediterranean gardens.

CELEBRITY CONSTELLATION“This combines the atmosphere of a smaller ship

with the facilities of a much larger vessel,” writes Sue Bryant, cruise editor for The

Sunday Times. There is a multitude of dining options and an open-air cinema.Times Expert Traveller rating: 8/10

The Venice Simplon- Orient-ExpressThis is the epitome of five-star rail travel. You’ll enjoy a three-course lunch in the restaurant car, take afternoon tea in the comfort of your cabin and eat breakfast en route between Paris and London.

O U R R E C O M M E N D E D P A R T N E R

Y O U R A C C O M M O D A T I O N

DAY 1 BARCELONA, SPAINFly to Barcelona and explore the city, known for its excellent food, fine beaches and gothic and Gaudi-designed architecture, before boarding Celebrity Constellation.

DAY 2 CANNES, FRANCEAfter docking at Cannes, explore La Croisette, the town’s fashionable promenade, stroll the seafront overlooking the Baie de Cannes and wander the Le Suquet hill district’s pretty streets.

DAY 3 GENOA, ITALYThe birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa has a salty, maritime charm, as well as a rich history that produced grand palaces and elegant streets.

DAY 4 CIVITAVECCHIA, ITALYThe main port for Rome, 50 miles to the south. Here you have the choice of a leisurely day exploring the town’s markets and picturesque promenade or a day trip to the Eternal City to see St Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and more.

DAY 5 AT SEAA day at sea offers the chance to enjoy the spa, sundeck, swimming pools and other first-class facilities aboard Celebrity Constellation.

DAY 6 KOTOR, MONTENEGROA Mediterranean gem, framed by sea and mountains, and with a

Y O U R E X C L U S I V E T R I PCruise to Venice, stay in luxury on Lake Garda, then take an unforgettable journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Imagine Cruising is an award-winning provider of tailor-made cruise holidays at superb value across the world.

13 DAYS FROM £3,899pp*

TO BOOK, CALL 0808 163 9463

Use code S0402

thetimes.co.uk/italytour

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: *from price based on two sharing. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Imagine Cruising Ltd, a company wholly independent of News UK. Imagine Cruising: Portland House, Bincknoll Lane, Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 8SY; ABTA Y6300, ATOL 11078.

PRICE INCLUDES: l Seven-night full-

board cruise on board Celebrity Constellation

l All-inclusive drinks package when you book an ocean view cabin or abovel Four nights at Hotel

Caesius Thermae & Spa, Lake Garda

l Two-day full-board Venice Simplon-Orient-Express trip

l Outbound British Airways flight and all transfers (upgrade to business class from only £149pp)

B O O K T H I S T R I P

Trip duration: June 30-July 12, 2018

WHAT WE LOVE

ULTIMATE LUXURYTravel on the highly rated Celebrity

Constellation and Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and stay at a five-star hotel

•BESPOKE ITINERARY

This wonderful journey has several modes of transport and visits to six countries

•EXCELLENT PRICE

A three-in-one holiday that offers exceptional value

Your trip starts in Barcelona, aboard Celebrity Constellation, which will transport you to Venice via Cannes, Genoa, Rome and some of the most picturesque towns on the coasts of Montenegro and Croatia. You will then spend four days at a celebrated spa hotel on Lake Garda. For the journey’s finale, board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Verona and enjoy its sumptuous interiors and five-star service as you return to London.

Clockwise from top: Lake Garda;

on board Celebrity Constellation; and Guadi’s Sagrada

Família church in Barcelona