Vienna
Ljubljana
shores. Sights to visit include Bled Castle, which is perched 100m above the lake on a steep cliff. Travel by gondola to the tiny Bled island which boasts the lovely Church of the Assumption with a gold baroque altar and fragments of 15th Century frescos, and a small museum.
DAY NINE Lake Bled to Venice by train An early morning train will take you from Lake Bled to Venice with an easy change of trains in Villach( Austria). You will arrive in just under 6 hours. On arrival to Venice, we include a private water transfer from the train station to your hotel. You spend three nights in Venice.
DAYS TEN AND ELEVEN In Venice Spend two full days exploring Venice, the“ floating city”. Cultural highlights include St Mark’ s Square where you can ascend the Campanile by lift for a panorama over Venice and the Lido. Also to be visited is the Doge’ s Palace, reflecting powerful and affluent periods of the Venetian democracy as well as the Basilica di San Marco. Perhaps on your second full day in Venice catch one of the local water taxis to explore the islands of the lagoon. Burano, island of lace-making and fishermen, is impressively picturesque whilst on Murano master craftsmen offer demonstrations of glass-making before you enter their shops. The Accademia, the Museo Correr and the Guggenheim all provide a wealth of art for viewing. Take time to savour Venetian delicacies such as clams, sardines and cuttlefish and enjoy a coffee at Florian’ s in St Mark’ s Square.
DAY TWELVE Travel to Paris by sleeper train You have most of this day to continue your exploration of Venice before being taken by private water taxi back to Venice Santa Lucia station. Here, you catch the overnight sleeper train to Paris, leaving at around 8.00pm. The sleeper train offers a simple but time effective means of covering a large distance. We include a private twin cabin for your comfort.
DAY THIRTEEN Paris to London by train Arrive into Paris just after 09:30 am. Change stations in Paris and catch a lunchtime Eurostar back to London.
Antiq Palace Hotel
Vila Bled
Hotel Kaiserhof
What’ s included
• Rail travel from London to Vienna and back from Venice in second or standard class
• Double deluxe sleeper compartment on sleeper trains, Cologne to Vienna and Venice to Paris
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at the Hotel Kaiserhof, Vienna
• 1 night’ s bed and breakfast in a Superior room at the Palais-Hotel Erzherzog Johann, Graz
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Deluxe room at the Antiq Palace Hotel and Spa, Ljubljana
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Double room with lake view at Vila Bled, on Lake Bled
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at the Hotel Bisanzio, Venice
• Transfers in Venice
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
What’ s not included
• Personal holiday insurance. Cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
• Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
• Flights from London to Vienna, Venice to London if you prefer to fly out and back
PRICES
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room and including standard class rail travel From £ 2,280
Supplements
• Standard premier / first class £ 270 per person
Holiday code EEBR06
To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk 101