Cruise & Rail: Milan, Venice & Istanbul

Discover a unique blend of eastern and western cultures on a one-of-a-kind journey by land, cruise and train as you travel between northern Italy and the diverse nations of the Balkan Peninsula.

Begin your journey in Milan and move on to romantic Venice. These two legendary cities (Milan—home to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and Venice—the “Queen of the Adriatic”) will bookend unforgettable experiences set along Northern Italy’s exquisite coastline.

Travel from dynamic Milan to romantic Venice and treat yourself to a private evening opening and lighting ceremony at St. Mark’s Basilica. Depart the enchanting “City of Water” to explore the waterfront shops, colorful facades and peaceful canals unique to Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello. Farther south, discover Chioggia—a charming southern port loved by fishermen, artists and anyone looking for unique gifts or souvenirs. Head inland to enjoy a multi course lunch, complete with decadent wine pairings, at a historic wine estate in the vineyards of Valpolicella. Enjoy additional shopping time in “bountiful” Bologna and medieval Padua, once home to Galileo and Copernicus. Your trip to Italy wouldn't be complete without a visit to UNESCO-designated Ferrara and Verona, the famed city of Romeo and Juliet.

Complement your cruise with a trip on a private train to the transcontinental city of Istanbul, a dazzling metropolis full of bucket-list attractions from the Blue Mosque to the Grand Bazaar. You’ll sleep on the luxury Golden Eagle Danube Express with ever-changing views at your window—the perfect addition to a river cruise. Along the way, visit Alpine lake towns, historic cities across Eastern Europe, the Greek seafront and more.