Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Where Time Travels in Style

Step aboard the Venice-Simplon Orient Express and you enter a world where timeless glamour, history, and romance blend seamlessly. This legendary train, meticulously restored to its 1920s glory, offers an experience that goes far beyond travel—it’s an immersion into an era where elegance is everything, and every moment is steeped in indulgence.

A Journey Through Living History

From the moment you step onto the platform and see the blue-and-gold carriages gleaming under the station lights, you know you’re about to embark on something extraordinary. Each carriage on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express has its own story to tell—original details lovingly preserved, with marquetry panels, art deco flourishes, and plush, polished finishes. As the train glides out of Venice, Paris, or any of its iconic cities, you become not just a passenger, but a character in a living work of art.

The Art of Fine Dining

Dining aboard the Venice-Simplon Orient Express is a highlight in itself. Imagine spending the evening seated in a meticulously restored 1920s dining car, surrounded by sparkling crystal, silver cutlery, and white-gloved service. Menus are inspired by the route and the season—delicate lobster, rich venison, or fresh fruit tarts—and the wine list is as carefully curated as the journey itself. Each meal becomes a memory, particularly when capped with a sparkling toast in the iconic Bar Car ‘3674’, with its lacquered counter and elegant jazz melodies.

A Haven of Luxury to Retreat

After a night of celebration or leisurely socialising in the bar, even the most adventurous traveller will find serenity in their own private retreat. Accommodations aboard the Venice-Simplon Orient Express are varied, but each offers a unique blend of vintage charm and modern comfort.

Recline amid plush linens and hand-crafted furniture in your private historic cabin, enjoy morning coffee in bed, or have a cocktail delivered as you dress for dinner. The staff, ever-present yet unobtrusive, ensure that your every need is anticipated—often before you’ve even voiced it.

L’Observatoire by JR: An Immersive Work of Art

One of the train’s most remarkable features is L’Observatoire, an entire carriage available for exclusive use, dreamt up by pioneering French artist and photographer JR.

This is more than just accommodation—it’s an art installation on rails, featuring a secret tearoom with a fireplace, a miniature train model, a marble bathroom with a free-standing bathtub, and round-the-clock dedicated cabin steward service. Every corner is ripe for discovery, adding a layer of creative intrigue and exclusivity to your journey.

Grand Suites: Travel Like Royalty

For the ultimate in luxury, the Grand Suites deliver a level of decadence that echoes the golden age of travel. With just three suites per carriage, guests are enveloped in craftsmanship: hand-embellished walls, marbled en-suites with rain showers, and plush lounging areas. Free-flowing champagne is not an occasion, but a way of life here. And with 24-hour butler service, dinner can be served privately in your suite, as you admire the unfolding European landscape. Prices begin at £11,180 per person—an indulgence reserved for those craving an absolutely bespoke experience.

Suites: Art Deco Inspiration & Modern Comfort

The newly reimagined suites, restored by master craftsmen, take inspiration from the ever-changing European scenery and the hallmarks of Art Deco design—think lush colours, intricate patterns, and the tactile luxury of velvet and mosaic tile. By day, your bed transforms into a comfortable lounge area; by night, the suite becomes a peaceful sanctuary complete with a private marble en-suite bathroom. With only four suites per carriage, exclusivity is assured. Prices start at £8,785 per person.

Historic Cabins: Classic Romance on Rails

For those who revel in the romance of classic rail travel, the historic twin cabins are the embodiment of old-world charm. By day, the banquette seating offers panoramic views of Europe’s finest landscapes; by night, they convert into cozy twin sleeping berths.

Each cabin features a washbasin, with shared restrooms at the end of each sleeper carriage—faithful to the train’s vintage pedigree. Breakfast in bed, served as the countryside glides past your window, is a ritual to savour. With fares from £3,530 per person, this option lets you experience the legend first-hand at a more accessible entry point.

Final Thoughts: A Journey Like No Other

Aboard the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, the journey itself becomes the destination. Between the sumptuous settings, attentive staff, exclusive experiences like L’Observatoire, and the sheer beauty of Europe unfurling outside your window, every moment aboard is curated for wonder and delight.

Whether you choose the grandeur of a suite or the classic charm of a historic cabin, your voyage connects you to the golden age of travel—where life slows down, luxury abounds, and adventure awaits at every station.

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