Travelling on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Author: S.Patton, Product Manager, Cruise Traveller

If you are fond of boutique hotels, luxury cruises and iconic experiences, you really can’t go past Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train. Having been lucky enough to experience this amazing product in May 2019, it is now time to share with you, dear reader, the special touches that made this trip so memorable.

We were greeted by our friendly cabin attendant in Venice, Italy – looking every inch the part of old-world service and style in his smart uniform and pristine white gloves.

He then showed me to my standard cabin with it’s little fold-away wash basin and beautiful parquetry wood finish from head to toe. The cabin was set up with a small side table laid out with a welcome box and glass ready for a sparkling wine.

I then was able to have a quick walk through the train to take a look at the deluxe suites which were being prepared by this delightful man…

And I did get a case of serious cabin-envy – who wouldn’t?

On my way back through the train, I snapped a couple of empty carriages so you can see just how magnificent each and every carriage is.

Here is one of the dining cars.

And here’s the sumptuous lounge and bar.

After toasting our departure, the train set off and headed towards the Italian and Swiss Alps. As the afternoon rolled on, the view was just beautiful out my window.

The on-train dining experience was just exceptional. Shown below is a snapshot of the special vegetarian menu (most diets are completely catered for) followed my some plates that arrived for me.

There are three dining cars, that you move through on different meals so that no-one misses out on each car’s unique experience, however the food is the same in each one. One carriage features all Lalique glass styled right out of a Poirot novel.

My cabin was transformed while I was at dinner into a cosy single bed with embossed linen, and with the swaying of the train, I fell asleep…

The next morning, breakfast was served in my cabin.

As we moved onwards towards Paris. There was a short stop in Paris for re-stocking (and for some guests to disembark).

We chugged onwards towards Calais where we disembarked the train and joined a luxury coach for the short trip up the ‘chunnel’ to the UK.

After arrival in the UK, we met our next train, the British Pullman, for a short journey including a very long afternoon tea, before arriving into London Victoria station.

JOURNEY: The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

SUPPLIER: Belmond

DURATION: 1 night / 2 days

FROM: Venice, Italy

TO: London, UK

DATE: May 2019

OUR RATING: 5-star ultra luxury

For holidays featuring iconic train journeys paired with cruises: SEE HERE