Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Fay says, “Certainly the best-known luxury train, travelling on the ‘Orient Express’ is considered an essential rite of passage for anyone seeking sophisticated experiences and life-long memories.”

The  legendary Orient Express train is a work of art in itself and a true Art Deco icon that is famous the world over.   Romance, adventure and the mystery of the past  are all intimately bound up in journeys that visit  some of the most alluring continental cites.    As with many trains of this style, it is evocative of a more gracious, elegant age of travel.   Delightful vintage cabins, gastronomic cuisine with delicious afternoon teas and exquisite four course dinners along with  lively on-board entertainment make a journey aboard this iconic train one of the world’s finest travel experiences.

Listed below are a sample of journeys, from the classic London to Venice to the newly introduced Venice to Stockholm.

Special Offers

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Accommodation

Cabins

Travelling in private cabins impeccably restored to their former glory,  passengers are assured of a truly unique travel experience complemented by the very best personal service.

Each cabin has an original washbasin cabinet with hot and cold water, and at night-time becomes a comfortable bedroom, complete with soft towels and crisp linen.  Cabins convert in moments from daytime seating to a luxurious bedroom, all performed by stewards whilst passengers enjoy a gourmet dinner in the restaurant car.

Double Cabins feature a single cabin room, whilst Cabin Suites feature the ultimate luxury of two inter-connecting cabins.  Toilet facilities are available in each carriage, luxuriously appointed and maintained to the highest standards.

Bar Car

The Art Nouveau interior creates a wonderful evocative atmosphere, enhanced by the playing of the baby grand and the elegant dress of fellow passengers.  Relax with after-dinner drinks.

Dining Cars

Dining on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is an unforgettable delight.  All dishes are freshly prepared on the train by skilled French chefs, with the finest supplies taken onboard during the train’s journey.  Lunch, dinner and brunch are served by waiters in one of the three individually styled Restaurant Cars: Cote d’Azur, Etoile du Nord or L’ Oriental.  Breakfast and afternoon tea are served to passengers in the comfort of their cabins.

Boutique

The onboard boutique is located at the rear of the Lalique car.  What better way to remember this memorable journey, than to enjoy a gift from the Collection Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.  These train inspired home accessories include  original art nouveau brass table lamp and hand blown French crystal.  Plus classically fashioned ladies’ and gentlemens’ accessories in luxury pure silk, cashmere and velvet.

So whether you are choosing something for yourself, or selecting a gift for a friend, it will forever remain a beautiful memento of your journey.

Itineraries

London to Venice (or Venice to London)

London - Venice - London

The romantic classic, that can be done in reverse and also as a return journey, taking two days / one night in each direction.

This journey has been included in many novels, passing into history as a classic.  It also gives one a chance to sample two beautiful trains.  Boarding the British Pullman  in London Victoria, one’s imagination  is stirred by the elegance  of the interior, accompanied by a feeling of being reinvigorated and pampered whilst being served a delicious brunch.   The Kentish countryside blends into the English Channel, and one is seamlessly transferred to the waiting Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in France.  Whilst you sample a delicious four-course dinner, your cabin is transformed into a delightful bedroom.

Awake to the magnificent scenery of the Swiss Alps as breakfast is served in your cabin at a time to suit.  Whilst passing through Innsbruck, a relaxing morning moves into a leisurely three-course lunch, served in a  beautiful restaurant cars.  The  afternoon sees the breathtaking Italian Dolomites come into view, and afternoon tea is served as you travel through the Brenner Pass.   All too soon the train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and pulls into Santa Lucia station.  A journey to remember.

Dates and Prices  2013

London to Venice:  March 21,28.   April 4,18,21,25.   May 5,9,12,16,19,26.   June 9,13,16,20,27.   July 18,25.   August 15,22.   September 19,22,26,29.   October 6,10,13,17,27,31.   November 7.

Venice to London:  March 27.   April 3,17,20,24.   May 11,15,18.   June  12,15,19,26.   July 17,24.   August 14,21.   September 18,21,25,28.    October 9,12,16,30.   November 6.

London to Paris and/or return

London - Paris

A classical way to travel to Paris

Board the British Pullman train at London Victoria station at 10.45hrs.

Sit back and enjoy Brunch served with a Bellini as you travel to the Kentish coast, prior to the crossing to France where you join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

After you have settled in, enjoy a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by skilled French chefs, before arriving in Paris in the evening at 21.17hrs.  This journey may also be taken as a return.

Dates and Prices  2013

March 21,28.   April 4,18,21,25.   May 5,9,16,19,29.   June 9,13,16,20,27.   July 18,25.   August 15,22.   September 19,22,26,29.   October 6,10,13,17,27,31.   November 7.

Reserved day car seat  -  £600

Paris to Istanbul Or  Istanbul to Venice

Paris - Istanbul

Istanbul - Venice

This once a year classic travels via Budapest and Bucharest.  Depart Paris for your overnight journey towards Budapest.  Following a night in  a luxury hotel and a private guided tour of this beautiful city in the morning, one rejoins the train for an overnight journey to Bucharest.  Before arriving there and after breakfast, the train stops in the mountain town of Sinaia  for a visit to beautiful Peles Castle, the summer house of the former King Carol.   Rejoin the train to travel to Bucharest where you spend the next day and night, enjoying guided tours of the city.   The  following day the train crosses  the Danube, travelling  through the magnificent  countryside  of Bulgaria. Enjoy your last night and day on board as the train passes through  the beautiful Thracian Plain to your last stop, fascinating Istanbul.

This same once a year journey can be taken from Istanbul to Venice, via the same route, except for the direction taken after Budapest.

Dates and Prices 2013

Paris:        August 30 (six days/five nights – three on the train)

Istanbul:    September 6 (six days, five nights – three on the train)

Cabin Suite  -  £11,000 per person sharing.

Single occupancy cabins for this route are subject to availability, with an applicable supplement and are on a request basis only.

Venice to London, via Krakow and Dresden

Venice - Krakow - Dresden - London

This new and exclusive  journey goes via Krakow and Dresden.  Imagine the elegance of boarding the train in Venice, to be wined and dined whilst  travelling  overnight  to the enchanting city of Krakow.  With its charming cobbled streets, fabulous architecture, guided sight seeing tours, a visit to the wondrous Wieliczka Salt, and overnight relaxation in the Sheraton Hotel, there will be much to fill the two days here.   Board the train for an overnight journey to Germany, where one arrives in Dresden, the capital of Saxony.   This magnificent baroque city is your home for two nights, staying  at the Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Hotel.  In Dresden you can enjoy the wonderful sites,  a cruise, museum and galleries.

Upon returning to the train, the final overnight takes you through France to Calais, where you transfer to escorted coaches for the crossing to England.  Here you board your second luxurious train, the British Pullman,  that will take you to London Victoria.

Dates and Prices 2013

July 4  (eight days/seven nights – three on the train)

Cabin Suite – £5,970 per person sharing

Venice to Stockholm, via Copenhagen

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express travels to Sweden for the first time

This legendary train  is poised to embark on a series of exciting new rail voyages to Scandinavia in April 2013, on a route that has never been traversed by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express before, marking the first occasion in the train’s long history that it has visited Stockholm.

Passengers can expect an extraordinary experience – a journey packed with adventure, fine dining and pure romance, starting in Venice with two nights at the Hotel Cipriani.  From there one boards the train, travelling in luxury and sampling the pleasure of fine food and surroundings whilst delighting in the passing Italian countryside.  The next day the Austrian and German scenery provide a beautiful backdrop, before passing into Denmark and arriving at the capital city of Copenhagen, home of the oldest monarchy in the world.  Following a transfer to the Marriott Hotel for your overnight stay, one is able to take in various sites, such as the Church of Our Saviour with its golden staircase and spire.

As the journey continues to Stockholm, one can relax within the opulence of the train, enjoying another night travelling before arriving in Stockholm.

The Copenhagen / Stockholm Journeys

While the Orient Express is in Scandinavia, it is taking the opportunity to offer a number of journeys between Copenhagen and Stockholm, combining hotels stays in each or either of these cities with one night on the train.

The following journeys are Copenhagen – Stockholm, but itineraries for Stockholm – Copenhagen are available from the Club.

Copenhagen – Stockholm

10 April 2013            2 Days/1 Night

Begin and end your journey aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in two of Scandinavia’s most vibrant and exciting cities.

Day 1 – Kopenhagen/Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Board the majestic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Kopenhagen’s Hovedbanegard station.  After settling into your private cabin, it is time to enjoy a gastronomic four-course dinner, served in one of the opulent restaurant cars.  You may wish to linger over a liqueur in the Bar Car before retiring to your cabin, now transformed into a cosy bedroom.

Day 2 – Stockholm

After a delightful continental breakfast, the train pulls into Stockholm Central station. Alight for your onward travels.

Includes:  One night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (double cabin) with a four-course dinner and a Continental breakfast

 10 April 2013    4 Days/3 Nights

Starting in Copenhagen, this journey takes you on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Stockholm, where you enjoy two nights exploring Sweden’s scintillating capital.

Shared Occupancy of a Double cabin or (as relevant) Double room

Day 1 – Copenhagen/Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Board the majestic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Copenhagen Hovedbanegard station.  After settling into your private cabin, it is time to enjoy a four-course dinner, served in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars.

Day 2 – Stockholm

After continental breakfast, served in your cabin by your steward, the train pulls into Stockholm Central station.  Alight for your transfer to the Grand Hotel, where you enjoy a two-night stay.

Days 3-4 – Stockholm

Spend the next two days exploring Stockholm, a city spread over 14 islands and boasting everything from magnificent architecture and medieval streets to hip stores and nature reserves.

Includes:  One night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (double cabin) with a four-course dinner and a Continental breakfast, two night stay at the Grand Hotel, Stockholm and hotel to station transfers.

8 April 2013           6 Days/5 Nights

Discover the beauty of two of Scandinavia’s most enticing cities, linked by a glorious overnight journey aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Days 1-2 – Copenhagen

Your journey begins in Copenhagen, a capital abounding in cool, contemporary arts as well as impressive history. Enjoy two nights at the Marriott Hotel.

Day 3 – Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Board the gleaming carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Kopenhagen’s Hovedbanegard station.  After settling into your private cabin, it is time to enjoy a sumptuous four-course dinner, served in one of the elegant restaurant cars.  Before or after dinner you may wish to visit the Bar Car to chat with fellow travellers or enjoy the sounds of the baby grand piano.

Day 2 – Stockholm

After continental breakfast, served in your cabin, the train pulls into Stockholm Central station.  Alight for your transfer to the Grand Hotel and a two-night stay.

Days 3-4 – Stockholm

Enjoy two days exploring the Swedish capital, which is spread over 14 islands, each with its own distinctive character.

Includes:  Two nights at the Marriott Hotel, Kopenhagen, including buffet breakfast, one night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (double cabin), with a four-course dinner and a Continental breakfast, two nights at the Grand Hotel, Stockholm, including buffet breakfast and hotel to station transfers.

Dates and Prices  2013

Based on per person sharing a double cabin or room, including all table d’hôte meals and accommodation; single fares and cabin suites (two inter-connected cabins for 2 people) available on request.

Venice - Stockholm                  April 6    6 days/ 5 nights – 2 nights on the train  £3,800

Copenhagen – Stockholm       April 8     6 days / 5 nights          £2,010 / €2,400

Copenhagen – Stockholm       April 10     4 days / 3 nights        £1,630 /  €2,040

Copenhagen – Stockholm       April 10   2 days / 1 night             £1,300  /  €1,550

Stockholm – Copenhagen       April 10   6 days / 5 nights          £2,010 / €2,400

Stockholm – Copenhagen       April 10   4 days / 3 nights           £1,630 /  €2,040

Stockholm – Copenhagen       April 12    2 days / 1 night            £1,300  /  €1,550

NOTE: there is one night on the train in all journeys between Copenhagen and Stockholm, either way.

Information

Prices:   Include all table d’hôte meals and accommodation on board based on two people sharing and hotels where applicable.

Double Cabins:  A private lounge during the day with a banquette sofa, footstool and small table converting to a night configuration with an upper and lower bed.  All Double Cabins are private, and include washbasins with hot and cold water, luxurious towels and toiletries and a 24 hour steward service called by your personal bell.  A lavatory is located in each train carriage.

Cabin Suites:  Combining two private interconnecting cabins to create a private lounge with a banquette sofa, footstool and table in the first cabin, and a separate sleeping cabin with an upper and lower bed.   The amenities are as for the double cabin.    Cabin Suites can either be made up into a lounge and separate sleeping cabin, or two separate single sleeping cabins.

Dress code:  Smart casual for the day, and smart evening wear.

Booking & Reservations

All prices are at publicly-quoted rates.

We will be happy to answer any questions and make the booking for you  -  contact us in the UK : +44 (0)1249 890205 or info@luxurytrainclub.com      Please sign up to our newsletter to be kept informed of interesting trains and special offers.