The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a legend in motion. Aboard this icon of art deco design, guests are transported back in time as they travel between Europe’s most captivating cities. Classic one-night journeys glide between London, Paris and Venice. Further routes take in Amsterdam, Brussels, Budapest, Florence, Geneva, Istanbul, Prague, Rome, Cannes, Verona and Vienna, with longer tours including overnight hotel stays.
By day, private cabins of polished wood and plush upholstery offer comfortable banquette seating. Large picture windows afford changing views of snow-peaked mountains and idyllic French countryside. At night, stewards transform the cabins into cosy bedrooms.
For unbridled indulgence, there are six individually designed Grand Suites. With sumptuous handcrafted décor inspired by great cities such as Paris, Venice and Istanbul, the spacious Grand Suites offer a new benchmark in luxury travel. Inclusive benefits include free-flowing champagne, private in-cabin dining, marble en-suites and 24-hour butler service. They are joined in 2023 by eight new suites, whose exceptional interiors fuse aspects of European landscapes – countryside, mountains, lakes and forests – with fabrics and furnishings that channel famed art deco designers.
Gastronomy is a major highlight of the onboard experience. Chef Jean Imbert celebrates seasonality and provenance in exquisite menus crafted from artisan produce. The train’s wine cellar is an ode to Europe’s finest vintages and appellations. Three 1920s restaurant cars offer distinctly different ambiences. Indulgent ‘cabin service’ delicacies are served around the clock. Bar Car ‘3674’ is the train’s social hub, reviving all the glamour and opulence of the past. Here, the formality of the early evening turns to a more playful late-night scene, with midnight brunch keeping the energy flowing.
For those who love a touch of the theatrical, this is experiential travel at its finest.
