It was mythical long before Agatha Christie got a hold of it: The Orient Express. Just the name rings up images of intrigue and adventure.
Yes, this most fabled of trains still runs, with few modern tweeks. The original Orient Express, circa 1883, took a much-ballyhooed route from Paris to Constantinople (which did not rebrand itself “Istanbul” until 1923). Because the leisurely route went east, it was christened with the Latin moniker of orient and all the exoticism that entailed, then and now. But in 2009 the line ceased to be, victim to high-speed rail. But wait! The story is far from over.
Turns out, another train company, one with a lot of cash just waiting for the right opportunity, stood waiting in the wings to transform itself into one of the most faithful knock-offs the world of luxury travel has ever seen. It ought the original cars, modelled their uniforms after that of original fashions, and even pulls into the original depots of Paris and Istanbul; this service basically turned itself into another. Today, it’s called the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, or VSOE.
But while Paris and Istanbul are far cries from what they were a century ago, step into one of the Orient Express carriages and you are immediately hail-maryed back to the Roaring 20’s, when the line was at maximum glam. In that era, 30 years before air travel hit its stride, trains were the only by-land “mass travel” option, and they weren’t particularly fast. Luxing it up meant big business; the car you stay in could well have hosted a king or two. Seriously. Trains criss-crossed Europe at the time, but the Orient Express is simply just what you “did.”
So what do you get on this hotel-on-rails? It will be snug, for sure; space is at a premium in a train carriage. Twin Cabins feature upper and lower berths while Single Cabins have one lower berth. During the day, the berths are transformed to offer comfortable banquette seating to take in the views. Crisp damask sheets and fine blankets contribute to a cosy and restful atmosphere at night. Draw back the lusciously stained oak panels on the wall to reveal washbasins (lavatories are available at each end of the carriage).
A favorite pastime is to pony up to the tables in the dining car, or slide up to the bar car, order up an insufferably posh glass of champagne, and take in the romance. The VSOE is hardly a tortoise, but the experience could be considered “slow travel,” where sitting back and letting the train takes its time along the route is the whole point.
For more info, go to belmond.com/venice-simplon-orient-expressand be sure to call Steele Luxury Travel to make a booking on the Belmond Simplon Orient Express 646-688-2274