Luxury of the 1920s: Legendary 'Orient Express' launches new route in Europe

There are various ways to reach Venice, but if you're a fan of exclusive and beautiful journeys, you can board the famous "Orient Express." It will take you through the Alps as the sun sets, and by lunchtime, you'll find yourself in the enchanting Venetian Lagoon.

In 2024, luxury travel company Belmond will launch a new route, the Simplon-Orient-Express, from Brussels to Venice, promising passengers "one of the most glamorous train journeys in Europe."

Photo: In 2024, "Orient Express" will launch a new route from Brussels to Venice (facebook.com/venicesimplonorientexpress)

Art Deco lighting and restored carriages. What is the "Orient Express"?

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is a private luxury train that travels from European cities to Venice. It is currently owned by Belmond.

These services should not be confused with the Orient Express train, which used to run between Paris and Bucharest, but in recent years, the route has been shortened. The EuroNight sleeper train was a direct descendant of the original "Orient Express," which traveled daily from Paris to Vienna and the Balkans.

Photo: The train will take you through the Alps as the sun sets (facebook.com/venicesimplonorientexpress)

While this successor train was mainly used for all types of passengers to Central and Eastern Europe at standard fares, the VSOE is designed for tourists who want to experience a journey on a luxurious train. Fares for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are high because it is not an ordinary railway connection but rather a vacation in an authentic atmosphere with a five-star restaurant on board.

Photo: The train provides a vacation in an authentic atmosphere (facebook.com/venicesimplonorientexpress)

James Sherwood from Kentucky, USA, purchased two original carriages at an auction in 1977 when the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits discontinued its service on the original Orient Express, transferring the service to the national railways of France, Germany, and Austria.

Over the next few years, Sherwood spent 16 million US dollars acquiring 35 sleeping cars, restaurant cars, and Pullman cars. On May 25, 1982, the first London-Venice journey took place.

Currently, the Venetian Simplon-Orient-Express consists of restored historical carriages from the 1920s.

• The restaurant car "Étoile Du Nord" was built in 1926 and features intricate marquetry woodwork and green velvet upholstery.
• The restaurant car "L'Oriental" is adorned with black lacquered panels, while the "Côte d'Azur" car is decorated with René Lalique glass.
• Passengers stay in historical cabins with Art Deco-style lighting and marble bathrooms.

Photo: Restored historical carriages with unique design (facebook.com/venicesimplonorientexpress)

New overnight train from Brussels to Venice

Passengers will be able to enjoy a new route from Brussels to Venice starting in 2024. The train will depart at around 5:10 PM. During the journey, passengers can enjoy cocktails before dinner in the legendary Car 3674 bar, where a pianist performs regularly and there is a Midnight Branch service.

The journey will begin with a four-course seasonal lunch prepared by chef Jean Imbert, and a selection of wines will be available from the sommelier. The menu includes red wine-braised beef fillet or vol-au-vent with lobster. There is a wide selection of cheeses, as well as a separate caviar menu.

As you approach Venice, pastries will be served for you to enjoy while admiring the city's architecture. The train will arrive in Venice at around 7:00 PM.

Trips are scheduled for April 18th and July 25th. Additionally, there are two journeys from Venice to Brussels on April 15th and July 22nd. The cost for such a journey will be approximately 4,700 pounds (5,432 euros).

Currently, Belmond also operates journeys to Venice from Amsterdam, Paris, and Lyon.