Lake Garda, Venice & Greek Isles Cruise Bargain

Business Class Train Journey from Lake Garda to Venice

Combine two impressive Italian destinations in one holiday for a sensational summer break on this cruise and rail holiday. Contrast the tranquil lakes and mountain scenery of Lake Garda with the bustling vibe of the ancient Venetian waterways. The Italian Lakes are simply stunning and when coupled with our handy business class train journey makes Venice easy to reach for a perfectly unique twin centre stay and cruise bargain package.

In Venice your hotel is perfectly located in Mestre opposite the train station and just a short train or bus ride away from the centre. This avoids the need for expensive water taxi transfers. The hotel is also closer to Marghera cruise port - just 1.5km away and a quick hop in a land taxi. All major cruise lines were banned from the old Venice cruise port and had to relocate their operations to ports several hours away from Venice. MSC is the only cruise line to operate out of Marghera port.

After this wonderful twin centre experience cruise the Adriatic visiting the charming port of Kotor with its ancient walled city and surrounded by sheer emerald-green slopes, before heading off to the sunsets of Syros and the beaches of Mykonos.

Fly to Verona and transfer to Sirmione/ Desenzano on Lake Garda for three nights hotel stay.

Palace Hotel Desenzano

The 4-star Palace Hotel Desenzano offers luxury accommodation in Desenzano del Garda. Guests can enjoy on-site parking, meeting facilities, and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. While smoking is not permitted in the rooms, it is allowed on terraces/balconies and in designated outdoor common areas. All rooms feature a stocked minibar and wireless internet access. For leisure, the hotel boasts a luxurious spa with beauty treatments, massage, and a sauna, as well as an inviting outdoor swimming pool. Additional amenities include an airport shuttle service, pet-friendly accommodations, a concierge service, and disabled facilities, including wheelchair access to the hotel, reception, bar, conference facilities, and designated parking spaces.

There are two full days to explore this beautiful destination

Lake Garda

Lake Garda: For the ancient Romans Lake Garda was a luxury summer destination with Roman ruins and mosaics in Sirmione and Desenzano to prove it. Long and slim Lake Garda is located in the north-east of Italy, stretching from north to south. The southern lakeshore is low, rolling land and fairly built-up. In contrast, the dramatic fjord-like northern end is surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs. Most of the lakeside towns are popular as holiday resorts; they differ in character but all are well-connected by boat services. Isola Del Garda is a beautiful private island which dates back to the Roman Empire. Three of Italy's 20 wine producing regions border Lake Garda. Each one uses grape varieties which are local to the region to produce a diverse range of red, white and rose wines. Malcesine is a picturesque town with cobblestone lanes and a striking castle on the edge of the water with the backdrop of Mont Baldo. Visit Castello Scaligero which was once a regal home or stroll through the medieval streets to the Palazzo Dei Capitani once the headquarters of the ruling Venetian elite.

After breakfast make your own way to the nearby Desenzano station for a business class train journey to Mestre on the edge of Venice. Walk across the street from the station for three nights' hotel stay.

Hotel Plaza Venice

The 4-star Hotel Plaza boasts a prime location directly opposite Mestre Train Station, offering convenient access to Venice Island (10 minutes by train/bus) and Marco Polo Airport (20 minutes by shuttle). This cuts out expensive and complicated water taxi transfers. Also from Mestre it is just a short taxi hop to the nearby cruise terminals of Marghera and Fusina. The hotel's 211 air-conditioned ensuite rooms range from doubles for single use to family rooms, available in classic, superior, deluxe, or executive categories. All rooms feature satellite TV, a telephone, and a safe. Bathrooms are equipped with either a shower or bathtub, a hairdryer, and complimentary toiletries. Guests can enjoy 24-hour reception service, luggage storage, an ATM, and room service. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The 'Soul Kitchen' restaurant serves regional Italian cuisine, and a buffet breakfast is offered daily. Meeting rooms with video projectors are available for business needs.

Venice is just a 1 stop train journey or a short bus journey away - there are two full days to soak up the romance and ambiance of this world class destination.

Venice

History, architecture, dining, romance and pure wander lust through the cobbled streets and by the canals is what Venice is all about. Top souvenirs would be Venetian Glass (also known as Murano Glass) or the famous and flamboyant masks. Standing in the middle of the magnificent piazza San Marco is an experience in itself -once described by: Napoleon as the 'drawing room of Europe'. St Mark's Basilica ,Doge's Palace and the clock tower built between 1496 and 1506 - are the city's main attractions. St. Mark's Basilica, built in the eleventh century, is the most famous and most recognizable of all the churches in the city of Venice. Its design is considered one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the world, known for its opulent design and gilded interior mosaics, and nicknamed "Church of Gold". The magnificent Doge's Palace is one of the most important buildings in Venice; it was the centre of power, from where the Venetian Republic was ruled. No trip to Venice would be complete without a punt down one of the city's picturesque waterways in an iconic gondola.

Make your own way to the nearby Marghera Cruise port to join the ship.

MSC Lirica

This 65,591 tonne ship entered service in 2002 and underwent extensive renovation under the "Renaissance Programme" in 2015 when she was lengthened with an extra 80-foot section. A refreshing spray park was added to the main pool area, the buffet, restaurant, shops and kids facilities were all upgraded too. MSC Lirica offers a traditional take on cruising for those looking for a comfortable and unpretentious cruise in an easy-going, fun-loving atmosphere. With so many great itineraries, it’s fortunate that this ship has plenty of open deck space and lots of spacious public rooms that help elevate watching the world go by into something rather special. 

Kotor

Kotor is well known for its stunning architecture and amazing natural setting in a dramatic bay with tall emerald-green hillsides. This small town with its cobbled streets and maze of alleyways, shops, bars and restaurants is surrounded by well-preserved walls that feature many landmarks making Kotor itself a UNESCO World heritage site.

Enjoy an uninterrupted day of relaxation at sea taking advantage of the facilities, entertainment and dining options on board.

Spend overnight in port in this cosmopolitan destination.

Mykonos

Mykonos, one of the most famous Greek Isles, is a glamorous destination known for its whitewashed Cycladic architecture, vibrant nightlife, and stunning beaches. Explore charming alleys lined with boutiques, visit iconic windmills, and relax on golden sands like Paradise and Elia Beach. Mykonos also offers rich history with nearby Delos Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its mix of luxury, culture, and breathtaking views, Mykonos is a must-visit stop on any Mediterranean cruise.

Syros

Syros is one of the smaller islands of the Cyclades Islands and a neighbour of Mykonos which is 30 miles away to the west. This best kept secret of Greece is ideal to escape the crowds of the bigger islands and enjoy that increasingly elusive and authentic Greek experience. This is an island praised for its mesmerizing architecture and calm atmosphere. It is popular among families and couples, as it is home to several points of interest, beaches with crystal clear waters, lovely accommodations and restaurants serving high-quality and tasty dishes! The island's capital, called Ermoupolis, is also the capital of the whole Cyclades and a cultural hub for art lovers.

Ancona

Ancona is a bustling port on the eastern coast of Italy facing the Adriatic Sea and lies directly opposite Zadar in Croatia. Ancona was settled by the Greeks around 380 BC and was a major trading port of the Roman Empire for the Adriatic. There are a number of fantastic squares, historical monuments and museums to visit, plus a host of fine restaurants and bars. Atop Monte Guasco in the eastern part of Ancona lies the 11th Century Cathedral of Saint Ciriaco - check out the red marble lions standing guard in the entrance. Nearby, the Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums in the region and is an infinitely interesting place to visit with its prehistoric tombs and Roman artefacts. The Piazza del Plebiscito is one of the central points in the historic town centre and features the Chiesa di San Domenico, the beautiful Prefettura Di Ancona, the Museo Della Citta and the ornate public library.

Disembark the ship after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home

Start Date Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite
05/04/26 £1389 £1509 £1779 £1969 view
12/04/26 £1279 £1379 £1649 £1819 view
19/04/26 £1299 £1409 £1689 £1879 view
26/04/26 £1399 £1529 £1799 £1979 view
03/05/26 £1519 £1629 £1899 £2099 view
10/05/26 £1459 £1579 £1849 £2029 view
17/05/26 £1629 £1739 £2019 £2209 view
24/05/26 £1699 £1809 £2079 £2079 view
31/05/26 £1539 £1649 £1929 £1929 view
07/06/26 £1589 £1699 £1969 £1969 view
14/06/26 £1599 £1709 £1969 £1969 view
21/06/26 £1649 £1759 £2009 £2199 view
28/06/26 £1569 £1679 £1939 £2019 view
05/07/26 £1579 £1679 £1949 £2119 view
12/07/26 £1659 £1759 £2019 £2189 view
19/07/26 £1669 £1769 £2039 £2219 view
26/07/26 £1569 £1689 £1979 £2109 view
02/08/26 £1739 £1859 £2149 £2289 view
09/08/26 £1769 £1849 £2139 £2279 view
16/08/26 £1749 £1879 £2169 £2319 view
23/08/26 £1629 £1759 £2049 £2209 view
30/08/26 £1549 £1649 £1909 £2019 view
06/09/26 £1599 £1699 £1969 £2049 view
13/09/26 £1569 £1679 £1929 £2119 view
20/09/26 £1519 £1629 £1879 £2069 view
27/09/26 £1349 £1449 £1709 £1889 view
04/10/26 £1179 £1279 £1549 £1719 view
11/10/26 £1249 £1349 £1619 £1789 view