Murder on the Orient Express
9.10.17 | AlanAn icon of art deco design and an enduring symbol of luxury, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a true classic. I’ve been lucky enough to experience this luxury first hand, and I have to say it was one of my most memorable travel experiences.
The level of service is beyond first class!! As soon as I stepped aboard it instantly felt like I had been transported into one of my favourite Agatha Christie novels. We are currently offering a fantastic tour, it starts in Tuscany, then moves on to Venice, before you board the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Paris. If you book with us before the 31st October we are offering a discount of up to £150 per person, a complimentary bottle of Champagne and cinema tickets to see the new “Murder on the Orient Express” film.
As soon as your journey starts you can sense the unique history of this iconic train. It is hard to know which dazzles more, the list of famous faces who’ve ridden these carriages or those who’ve starred in films about this historic train? The inaugural Orient Express service launched on 4 October 1883 and during its time, the train has carried passengers including Tolstoy, Trotsky, Marlene Dietrich, Lawrence of Arabia and the spy Mata Hari. To the present day, there have been a number of movies based on-board, including the soon to be released remake of the classic “Murder on the Orient Express” starring Kenneth Branagh, Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp and Judi Dench.
The Venice Simplon-Orient Express is, quite simply, the most storied set of carriages in the world. It offers an experience that promises to take you not just across Europe but to transport you to another world entirely. The carriages contain polished wood, sumptuous upholstery and antique fixtures, the train epitomises the opulence and elegance of the Golden Age of travel. Authenticity is everything here. The train comprises the original sleeping cars of the 1920s and 30s, along with three dining cars, an elegant bar car with baby grand piano and a boutique. Passengers may choose from a single or twin cabin, or stretch out in a suite.
There’s much to marvel at in the cabins’ ingenious design. A washbasin is concealed in a handsome wood cabinet. A plush daytime sofa is transformed into cosy upper and lower berth beds with crisp damask sheets by your cabin steward while you dine in the evening. The beds are then whisked away again after you’ve taken breakfast. This magically discreet service is all part of the experience.
Classic routes on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express take in such fabled European cities as London, Paris, Venice, Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest. But this experience really is all about the journey. As you glide through lush, rolling countryside and majestic mountains, you’re encouraged to savour every moment.
Besides feasting your eyes, you’ll be deliciously indulged with the famed cuisine. Each dish is lovingly prepared by Executive Chef Christian Bodiguel, a true culinary master who has honed his craft on the train over three decades. He takes his inspiration from what’s seasonal and local, with ingredients picked from the destinations the train travels through. On the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, evening dress for dinner is absolutely part of the experience. As the train moves into the inky night, the glittering art deco champagne bar beckons.
Tour details:
Starting in Tuscany, then moving on to Venice, before boarding the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Paris. On arrival in the UK, you join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’s sister train, the Belmond British Pullman, an iconic vintage train that takes you on the final leg of our journey. Click here to see the full itinerary.
With this tour, you will feel like you are stepping back in time to a world of romance, indulgence and adventure. Please contact us for more details.
Tour Details