Cruise the Mediterranean on Cunard’s Queen Victoria ahead of a city stay in Florence, seven nights in the Italian Lakes, and the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journey to Paris.
In Southampton, embark Cunard’s Queen Victoria for a Mediterranean cruise to Italy’s Civitavecchia. Experience the Andalusian charm of Seville. Admire Granada, home to the magnificent Alhambra Palace, and walk the cobblestone streets of Palma de Mallorca.
Arriving in Italy, you’ll enjoy a two-night hotel stay in Florence before transferring to the Italian Lakes for seven nights on the shores of Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda. Wander through lush botanical gardens, explore lakeside palaces, and glide through the Alps on board the Centovalli Railway. Next, your carriage awaits on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which will transport you overnight to Paris in Art Deco-era glamour.
Your Imagine Holiday Includes
8 night full-board cruise on board Queen Victoria
2 day all-inclusive luxury Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train journey from Verona to Paris
Dedicated steward service
Three-course lunch, four-course dinner and continental breakfast
Full porterage service included
Florence Guided Walking Tour
Complimentary Centovalli Railway Journey
Complimentary Lake Como Tour
2 night four-star stay in Florence at the Gallery Hotel Art
Complimentary 4 night four-star stay in Lake Maggiore at the Zacchera Hotels Collection
Complimentary 4 night four-star stay in Lake Garda at the Hotel Savoy Palace
All hotel stays include breakfast
Your Voyage
Your Itinerary
Embark Queen Victoria and settle into your cabin or suite. Enjoy this elegant ship, which harks back to the golden era of cruising with her grand ballroom, Afternoon Tea service and elegantly decorated accommodation.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Queen Victoria
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Cádiz, Spain. With its ancient charm, vibrant culture, and coastal allure, it’s a city that invites you to embrace the rich history and lively spirit of Andalusia.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Queen Victoria
Embrace the sunny enchantment of Málaga, Spain. With its golden beaches, historic sites, and vibrant culture, it’s a city that offers a blend of relaxation and exploration, inviting you to savour the Mediterranean spirit.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Queen Victoria
Discover Palma de Mallorca, Spain’s Mediterranean gem. Bask on golden beaches, explore the enchanting old town, and indulge in delectable cuisine. Let Palma’s beauty and vibrant energy captivate your soul and create unforgettable memories.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Queen Victoria
Disembark in Civitavecchia and transfer to Florence for a two-night hotel stay. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, museums and artistic masterpieces.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Gallery Hotel Art
Unravel the history of Florence’s iconic sites like Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi Palace and Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. Learn the best local eateries from your English-speaking guide as you wander the city’s ancient streets.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Gallery Hotel Art
Adore the natural beauty and charm of Lake Maggiore. Nestled in the Italian and Swiss Alps, it has breathtaking vistas and a delightful climate. Explore Stresa, a picturesque lakeside town, and enjoy your four-night hotel stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Zacchera Hotels Collection
Ride the Centovalli Railway through the picturesque “One Hundred Valleys”. Pass deep gorges and crevices with glittering cascading waterfalls. Glide across colourful alpine meadows, over numerous bridges, and through vineyards and forests of chestnut trees.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Zacchera Hotels Collection
During a day at leisure on the shores of Lake Maggiore, you could explore the Borromean Islands, with their magnificent palaces and enchanting gardens, or take a leisurely boat ride to discover charming lakeside villages.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Zacchera Hotels Collection
This morning you’ll depart for Lake Como. Discover the ancient buildings, courtyards towers and medieval walls of this quintessentially glamorous destination before continuing to Lake Garda for a four-night hotel stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel Savoy Palace
Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, captivates with its natural beauty, history and culture. Surrounded by majestic mountains, the lake’s shimmering blue waters reflect a breathtaking backdrop.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel Savoy Palace
Begin your journey home in 1920s luxury with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Savour a sumptuous, all-inclusive rail journey from Verona to Paris, watching the rolling hills turn into mountains from the comfort of your classic rail carriage.
Meals Included: All-Inclusive Board Basis
Overnight: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Following breakfast in your cabin and a three-course lunch in the sumptuous dining cabin, you will pull into Paris. From here, transfer to a luxury coach for the final leg of your journey to London.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Your Tour Highlights
Queen Victoria
There’s something distinctly refined and regal about a Cunard cruise and the beautiful Queen Victoria certainly upholds its fine traditions. Even before you board this beautiful ship, you’ll note the trademark black and red livery which, together with her sleek modern design, immediately sets the theme of proud cruising heritage married with innovative features for today’s cruise guests.
Cunard has captured all the refined styling and service associated with the golden era of cruising and added modern leisure and entertainment facilities. From her plush, elegantly decorated public rooms to her gourmet dining and luxurious, spacious cabins, Cunard’s Queen Victoria exudes class. The range of options for high-quality entertainment, as well as serene relaxation make for the cruise holiday of a lifetime. Dance in the grand ballroom, enjoy Afternoon Tea, watch extravagant stage shows or simply relax beside one of the lovely pool areas.
- Tonnage 90,049 tons
- Length 965 ft (294.00 m)
Life on board Queen Victoria
From its gourmet dining rooms to its spacious cabins, you’ll enjoy high-class surroundings, enriching on-board activities and a truly regal way to travel.
dining
From white-gloved waiter-service Afternoon Tea to the stylish Steakhouse at The Verandah, Queen Victoria is home to several elegant dining venues.
- Britannia Restaurant
- The Lido
- Steakhouse at The Verandah*
- The Golden Lion*
- Dinner at the Lido*
- Al Fresco Dining*
- Café Carinthia*
- Britannia Club Restaurant^
- Queens Grill+
- Princess Grill**
Bars & Lounges*
- Commodore Club
- Gin & Fizz
- The Golden Lion
- Queens Room
- Chart Room
- Yacht Club
- Casino
- Winter Garden
*Available at an additional cost
^Included when staying in a Britannia Club Balcony stateroom
+Included when staying in a Queens Grill Suite
** Included when staying in a Princess Grill Suite
Facilities
Fill your days with active pursuits or cultured activities such as the enriching Insights speaker programme, classical concerts, wine tasting or ballroom dancing.
- Library
- Open-air pool
- Fully-equipped gym
- Traditional Afternoon Tea
- Gala Evenings
- Film screenings
- Planetarium shows
- Deck and board games
- Sports facilities
- Dance classes
- Spa
entertainment
Highlights include international cabaret artists, ballroom dancing, live music, theatre productions in the Royal Court Theatre and cocktails at the Yacht Club.
- G32 Nightclub
- Queens Room
- Empire Casino
- Illuminations
- Royal Court Theatre
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Travel between a collection of magnificent cities on board the classic carriages, which will transport you back to the Golden Age of travel with their gleaming French-polished cherry wood marquetry, opulently embroidered upholstery, and vintage fittings.
Every part of your journey is designed to help you capture a little of the magic of a bygone era, whether that’s the gentle clinking of solid crystal glassware in the bar car, or the traditional hospitality of your besuited steward. Travelling on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, and one which more than lives up to its reputation.
Life on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
From exquisite fine dining to sophisticated lounges and unparallel service, spend your days on board doing as much or as little as you like.
Carriages
The train is made up of sleeping cars dating back to the 1920s and 30s, plus three dining cars, a bar car with an elegant baby grand piano which is played every evening before and after dinner, and an on-board boutique. The most famous carriages are undoubtedly the three dining cars, where all the guests of the train come together for sumptuous cuisine in the most genteel surroundings. The vibrant 3674 Bar Car, with its blue zebra and gold detailing, is also a guest favourite.
Food
The cuisine on board is truly exceptional – its presentation is as such it’s hard to believe that it has been created on board a moving locomotive. Chef Jean Imbert blends the rich heritage of the train with his own passion for fresh seasonal produce to create moments of culinary perfection.
You will be asked to choose from one of two sittings each meal, where you will enjoy multi-course dining of the highest calibre, accompanied by perfectly paired wines. Each afternoon, you will also be offered a sumptuous afternoon tea.
Service
While the carriages have differed over the years, the exquisite service remains unchanged. Every stay is unique to each guest, with your finely attired stewards available for your every whim and to transform your cabin between a sitting area or sleeping bunks. Whatever you need, capture the attention of a liveried blue-and-gold attendant and you’ll find every request taken care of. The stewards are specially chosen for their excellent attention to detail, and many have worked on board the train for decades.
Cabins & Suites
Cunard boasts some of the most spacious staterooms at sea, and each one comes with a myriad of services, features, and amenities for you to enjoy.
Inside Prices from £5,999pp
Cunard’s well-appointed inside staterooms offer a haven of comfort and style for you to enjoy during your voyage. You’ll find thoughtful features and luxurious amenities throughout to ensure that extra special touch.
- A half bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
- 24-hour room service
- Nightly turndown service, including a chocolate on your pillow
- Satellite TV
- Refrigerator
- Tea & coffee making facilities
- An invigorating shower and complimentary Penhaligon’s toiletries
- Bathrobe and slippers
Oceanview Prices from £6,499pp
Beautifully positioned to offer spectacular sea views, Cunard’s Oceanview staterooms provide a private escape from which to enjoy the sights of the horizon. The perfectly framed views are the ideal backdrop to your luxurious surroundings.
- A half bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
- 24-hour room service
- Nightly turndown service, including a chocolate on your pillow
- Satellite TV
- Refrigerator
- Tea & coffee making facilities
- An invigorating shower and complimentary Penhaligon’s toiletries
- Bathrobe and slippers
Balcony Prices from £6,999pp
Escape to your own private outdoor space in one of Cunard’s Balcony staterooms, where you can sit back and feel the crisp sea air on your skin. Complete with fabulous features and thoughtful amenities, you’ll be sure to be well looked after.
- A half bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
- 24-hour room service
- Nightly turndown service, including a chocolate on your pillow
- Satellite TV
- Refrigerator
- Tea & coffee making facilities
- An invigorating shower and complimentary Penhaligon’s toiletries
- Bathrobe and slippers
Grill Suite Prices from £8,999pp
Delight in breathtaking sea views that can be enjoyed from both inside and outside your Grill Suite. A voyage with a Grill Suite reservation will offer a whole new level of indulgence with the extra special touches of fine-dining experiences, and exclusive access to the Grills Lounge and Terrace.
- Complimentary room service
- Satellite TV, illy coffee machine and world atlas
- Bathroom with bath and shower
- Complimentary Penhaligon’s toiletries
- Velour robe and slippers
- Nightly turndown service, including a chocolate on your pillow
- A selection of fresh fruit, delivered daily
- Sparkling wine and chocolates to welcome you on board.
- Your own Grills Concierge for the duration of your stay
- A spacious private balcony with table and chairs to relax in
- A seven-pillow concierge menu
- Freedom dining in the Princess Grill restaurant
- Optional in-room dining from the Princess Grill menu
Cabins and Suites
The restored 1920s sleeper cabins are some of the most luxurious train accommodations in the world. Each one is beautifully appointed with exquisite craftsmanship, such as bespoke soft furnishings and polished wood.
Historic Cabins
Take in the spellbinding sights of Europe from the romantic setting it deserves with your own private historic twin cabin. Banquette seating offers the perfect landscape sweep past by day, while convertible sleeping quarters transform the cabin into a restful retreat by night.
The restored 1920s sleeper cabins are some of the most luxurious train accommodation in the world. Each one is beautifully appointed with exquisite craftsmanship, such as bespoke soft furnishings and polished wood.
- Each cabin has a washbasin with hot and cold water
- Lounge area by day, seating converts to converts to 1 upper and 1 lower bed at night
Your Hotel Stays
Florence
Gallery Hotel Art (Or Similar)
Gallery Hotel Art is a boutique gem nestled in the heart of Florence, Italy. Its artistic charm and elegant design create a unique atmosphere where contemporary luxury meets timeless creativity. The hotel boasts a curated collection of contemporary artworks and hosts exhibitions that enrich guests’ cultural experience. With luxurious accommodations, a tranquil courtyard, and a prime location near iconic landmarks, Gallery Hotel Art offers a captivating blend of modern comfort and artistic allure for an unforgettable stay in this historic city.
Lake Maggiore
Zacchera Hotels Collection (Or Similar)
The Zacchera Hotels, Grand Hotel Dino, Hotel Simplon, Hotel Splendid and Grand Hotel Bristol in Stresa, all boast privileged positions on the shores of Lake Maggiore and the breathtaking Gulf of Borromeo. Each with its own team of highly professional staff, elegance, sumptuous comfort and high-quality facilities, every stay here is an unforgettable pleasure for all guests. Marvel at the astonishing views as you dine alfresco in one of the exceptional restaurants, indulge in a treatment or two in the opulent wellness centre or wander the lush gardens, bursting with colour.
Lake Garda
Hotel Savoy Palace (Or Similar)
Hotel Savoy Palace graces the shores of Lake Garda, Italy, with timeless elegance. Overlooking the azure waters, it offers lavish accommodations, impeccable service, and panoramic views. The hotel’s gardens, pools, and spa create an oasis of relaxation, while gourmet dining showcases Italian flavours. Situated near charming towns like Garda and Riva del Garda, guests can explore historic streets, local markets, and lakeside promenades. The surrounding hills and vineyards provide opportunities for scenic hikes and wine tastings. Hotel Savoy Palace stands as a gateway to Lake Garda’s natural beauty and cultural richness, offering an unforgettable Italian escape.
