The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, has long been the gold standard for luxury rail experiences. And yet, somehow, the company is proving that it can still outdo itself with all-new itineraries for the winter season.
In September, the company announced its December voyages, a first for the Belmond Train. The festive season excursions, the company shared in a statement, take place aboard its distinctive midnight blue carriages that transport guests through some of Europe’s most idyllic landscapes on overnight trips to Florence, Paris , Venice and Vienna.
The trips will extend the company’s annual season, which typically runs from March to November, allowing guests to board trains on 10 different routes for an additional month.
And in case it wasn’t clear, this train is one to remember. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express made its maiden voyage in 1982 and has been an ancient wonder ever since. The train consists of 17 carriages dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. It’s a place where glitz and glamor are the norm, and where everyone is treated like a star.
On board, guests can find a little peace and quiet inside their private staterooms, each of which features large windows so you can always enjoy the icy winter scenery outside.
Guests can also choose to mingle in the jewel-toned dining cars, where Chef Jean Imbert will be on hand to serve seasonal winter-inspired menus that feature local ingredients from scheduled routes.
As the company explains on its website, the day begins for guests with their choice of dining destinations, whether it’s a small breakfast in bed, scheduled at a time of their choosing, or in the restaurant car, where they can enjoy coffee, smoked salmon, eggs, truffles and a bit of caviar for a morning treat.
Lunch is as lavish as it gets, with a three-course menu of the aforementioned locally sourced treats, all paired with wines chosen by the train’s sommelier.
The dinner menu rotates according to the whims of the chef, although, as the company notes, the menu “has harkens back to the majesty of the golden age of travel” and adds: “you will never eat like before.”
The dining car isn’t the only place to indulge your taste buds, though. Guests can also make their way to what Belmond calls the “heart” of the train, Bar Car 3674. There, guests can sip their cocktail of choice while listening to soothing tunes played by the train’s long-time resident pianist.
Prices for an overnight trip aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe start from £2,920 per person. See more about the trip and book your trip here.