There's still time to plan a winter getaway for this holiday season, where you can savor Vin Chaud, wander through enchanting Christmas markets, and even make the most of the early snowfall in the Dolomites (ski lifts open at the end of this month!).
If your holiday plans are flexible, check out my vision of a truly stylish European holiday to Verona and Venice via the Belmond Simplon-Orient-Express!
Day 1: All Aboard!
Your adventure commences this winter from the platform of London's St Pancras Station. You'll meet your conductor and experience the thrill of stepping aboard the historic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, steeped in timeless glamour.
Tonight, indulge in your luxurious accommodation and savor a sumptuous 4-course dinner in one of the magnificent dining cars. Later, you can unwind in Bar Car 3674, enjoying music and conversing casually with fellow passengers.
Day 2: Switzerland: just passing through
Admire the passing snow-capped mountains and picturesque Swiss lakes as you sip coffee in your cabin and relish a Continental breakfast. This afternoon, head to the dining car for a gourmet 3-course lunch, followed by afternoon tea before arriving in Verona.
Once in Verona, transfer to your accommodations for the next two nights: Vista Palazzo Verona.
Day 3: Verona, the Home of Star-Crossed Lovers
Verona, the romantic setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, unveils its charms. Spend the afternoon strolling through the city of the famous lovers. In the evening, follow the tempting scents of toasted chestnuts and vin brulé to the city's holiday market in the beautiful Piazza delle Erbe.
From mid-November to December 26th, this is the place to discover local, handmade gifts, artisan crafts ranging from woolen items to ceramics, as well as regional delicacies like Verona's traditional Christmas cake, the pandoro, and local sweets such as Baci di Giulietta, Juliet's kisses.
Day 4: Countryside Charms and a Romantic Woodland Repast
Today, explore the Veneto countryside with your local driver. The Veneto region is renowned for its wines like Amarone, Valpolicella, and local grappa distilleries, adding to the area's charm and exceptional local food scene.
For dinner, you'll experience a romantic retreat in a "house in the woods" – a fairy tale home-based restaurant designed just for two, tucked away in a secret garden within the forest.
Days 5 and 6: Magical Venice
A winter visit to Venice unveils its unique magic: morning mists and swirling fog envelop the lagoon and canals, creating a diffuse light that transforms the city into something enchanting and mysterious.
The crowds and heavy, humid air are replaced by locals bustling through the city to prepare for their holiday feasts, leaving you wondering, "What crowds?"
Don't miss the opportunity for an elegant evening at La Fenice Theatre since it's opera season before retiring for the next few nights in the luxurious surroundings of your accommodations at the Palazzo Venart Hotel.
Days 7 and beyond:
the Dolomites
From Venice, you can choose to board your plane back home, or immersing yourself in the wintery coziness of the Dolomite Mountains, just a few hours from Venice.
Be sure to check out my post on ski safaris in the Dolomites.
Ready to get away? Let us customize your holiday or winter getaway to the Veneto, the Dolomites, or other destinations, drop me a line!