The Orient-Express

Luxury European Rail Journey from London to Paris and Venice

Sep 3, 2009 Rosemary Gemmell

There is nothing quite like a journey through Europe on the world famous Orient-Express, the epitome of luxury and romance.

The exceptional service begins at the check-in counter at Victoria Station in London where luggage is whisked out of sight not to be seen again until travellers are on the European side of the English Channel. A personal steward, immaculately dressed in white and blue uniform with white gloves, escorts passengers to personal seats in one of the old-world coaches, with ash panels and old prints. The steward begins by presenting each individual with a crystal glass of champagne and canapés with which to toast the start of an unforgettable journey.

British Pullman Coaches

Each of the lovingly restored 1920s British Pullman coaches has its own name and guests are pre-assigned their carriage and seats for the British part of the journey. The seats resemble drawing room chairs and the carriage a gracious 1920s country house drawing-room. Seats are arranged either for two, front and back facing with a table between, or for four, and the elegant ambience is enhanced by the spaciousness, the décor, and the fresh freesias and brass lamp on each table. This is no ordinary train.

A Sample Lunch Menu

Lunch, with silver cutlery and linen napkins, is served in-situ at the table almost immediately on departure. On one journey there were three simple, delicious courses:

Cream of Butternut Soup and fresh warm rolls
Roast Breast of Guinea Fowl with lemon, rosemary and sage stuffing
New Potatoes, Buttered Petit Pans, Turned Carrots and a Sweet Port Jus
Brown Sugar Meringue with a Compote of Fresh Berries and Pistachio Cream

Fine wine is included, followed by Colombian coffee and Bittermints, all without moving from the comfortable armchairs.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The original Orient-Express service began in 1883 and the Simplon Tunnel, the longest in the world, was built in 1906, cutting the journey time from Paris to Venice. The train carried some of the most famous and aristocratic people in the world. Its heyday was in the 1920s, when the journey was extended to Istanbul in 1921. After being disrupted by war and the depression years, the Orient-Express became less popular as air travel took over and it was finally discontinued in 1977.

With the original 1920s carriages now resplendent in their former glory since May 1982, it is possible once again to relive the days of high elegance. Once on the French side of the channel, the romance of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express really begins, with the beautifully restored 1920s and 30s Wagon-Lits carriages. The décor is sumptuous, with exquisite inlaid marquetry on the wall panelling and day seats which convert to bunk beds for night time.

Although the lavatories are at the end of each carriage, washing facilities are cleverly hidden behind the panelling on one wall of the compartment. There is a wash hand basin and shelves containing individual towels, with toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap, all in the distinctive blue and gold packaging.

The tiny table at the compartment window holds a complimentary pack of writing paper, envelopes and postcards, a map showing the complete journey and a miniature box of matches, all lovely souvenirs of the voyage.

Luxury French Cuisine

As dinner time approaches en route to Paris, the three magnificent dining carriages, each with its own unique and authentic 1920s style of décor, are exquisitely set to receive their guests. A full carriage with bar, lounge seats and baby grand piano encourages guests to feel part of a film set for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.

For a fully developed sense of romance, it is fun to dress up to dine and 1920s or 30s style of attire is even better. The superb dinner is decidedly French. The finest linen, silver cutlery, crystal glasses, fresh flowers, and best china crockery are all fitting accompaniments to the sumptuous feast of four courses. This usually includes fish, main course, fine French cheeses and dessert, followed by Colombian coffee and Mignardises, accompanied by excellent wines.

Approaching Paris to the Sounds of the Baby Grand Piano

As the train gently passes through the darkening French countryside, the luxurious surroundings, food and ambience inside the coaches are miles away from everyday life. After dinner, guests are lured by the sound of the grand piano into the bar carriage. And long into the night, they can live the illusion of decadent days from long ago, as the Orient-Express winds its way through the night towards Venice.

Paris to Venice

The morning of the second day begins with breakfast while the train journeys through the magnificent Swiss Alps, with a stop at Innsbruck towards midday. As the train makes its leisurely way through the Italian Dolomites, passengers can enjoy lunch in one of the sumptuous restaurant cars. There is time for afternoon tea served in the compartment, before the Orient-Express finally arrives in Venice around six o’clock in the evening.

Full details of departures and costs are available from Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

The copyright of the article The Orient-Express in W Europe Travel is owned by Rosemary Gemmell. Permission to republish The Orient-Express in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Orient Express British Pullman Coach