A Journey Through Luxury on the Legendary Orient Express

Luxury train journeys offer a unique kind of escape. They blend slow, scenic travel with an experience that feels more like stepping into a film than boarding a train. And no journey captures this magic more vividly than the legendary Orient Express. With its polished wood panels, Art Deco details, and white-gloved service, it’s more than just transport — it’s timeless theatre on rails.

You don’t need to be a history buff to appreciate its legacy. The moment you step on board, the world outside begins to soften. Inside, everything whispers elegance. This is a place where glamour lives, where every clink of fine china and rustle of crisp linen reminds you that you’re part of something rare.

Luxury train journeys are not for people in a rush. They’re for those who want to savour time, not fill it. The rhythm of the rails becomes a kind of meditation. Every passing landscape is a moving painting. You’re not just going somewhere — you’re travelling with purpose, and with pleasure.

So what is it really like to travel on the world’s most iconic train? Let’s take a closer look.

Why Luxury Train Journeys Capture the Imagination

Luxury train journeys stir the soul in a way few other holidays do. Maybe it’s the blend of nostalgia and novelty. Or maybe it’s the chance to unplug without giving up comfort. When you board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, you’re not just a passenger. You’re a character in a story that’s been told for nearly a century.

In an age of fast everything, slow travel feels radical. It reminds you that the best parts of life don’t happen at 500 miles per hour. Instead, they arrive in quiet moments — sipping coffee as the Alps slide past, or chatting with a stranger in the bar car as a pianist plays in the background.

There’s also something intimate about the setting. You’re in a private world with a handful of guests. It’s luxurious, but never showy. Everything is thoughtful. Everything is calm.



And unlike other trips where luxury means isolation, this one invites connection. You’ll meet people. You’ll share stories. And when the train pulls into its final stop, you’ll leave with more than photos. You’ll leave with memories stitched from velvet, views, and voices.

Photo by B K on Unsplash

Photo by Elimende Inagella on Unsplash

A Step Back in Time: Inside the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

You don’t just board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You enter another era. Every detail, from the gleaming brass fixtures to the crisp blue uniforms of the stewards, feels curated with care. This isn’t nostalgia for show — it’s a working time capsule that moves with quiet grace across Europe’s most beautiful landscapes.

The Art Deco Carriages

Each carriage tells its own story. Many are originals from the 1920s and 30s, lovingly restored to their former glory. Stepping inside is like walking onto the set of a classic film. Intricate marquetry panels, Lalique glass, and polished mahogany glint under soft lighting.

Your cabin is cosy, elegant, and surprisingly spacious. By day, it’s a lounge. By night, it transforms into a sleeping retreat with crisp sheets and rich fabrics. There are no televisions, no modern distractions — only the click of the rails and the view beyond the window.

These details define the charm of luxury train journeys. They're not just about where you’re going. They're about how it feels to get there.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express carriages carry decades of design history. You can read more about the original Art Deco interiors and craftsmanship at the Victoria & Albert Museum’s archive.

Dining Like Royalty

Dining on the Orient Express is an event. Guests dress for dinner, not out of obligation, but because the setting invites it. You’ll walk through the corridors, past cut-glass doors and patterned carpets, into one of three dining cars — each one a jewel box of history and design.

Menus change with the journey and the seasons. A typical dinner might begin with lobster tail, followed by tender beef fillet, and end with a French dessert that melts like memory. The wine list is extensive. The service? Impeccable.

One of the best parts? You don’t have to rush. Meals unfold over several courses, and the train adjusts to the pace.

There’s time to taste, talk, and notice everything. This is luxury at its most unhurried.

The Service That Defines Luxury

What truly elevates the experience is the people. The staff are not just attentive — they anticipate. Want your bed made while you’re at breakfast? Done. Fancy a glass of champagne delivered to your suite? Just ask.

Every steward you meet knows the train inside out. They know the stops, the menus, and the right way to pour coffee as the train gently sways. And they carry out every task with a quiet elegance that never feels scripted.

It’s this human touch that makes luxury train journeys so unforgettable. Technology fades. But service, when it’s this personal, leaves a mark.

Route Highlights That Steal the Show

The beauty of luxury train journeys lies in the journey itself. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers multiple routes across Europe, each packed with cinematic landscapes and rich cultural stops. Every route feels like its own masterpiece.

One of the most iconic routes travels from London to Venice. You begin with a journey on the British Pullman, a restored sister train with similar Art Deco charm, before crossing the Channel and stepping onto the Orient Express in Calais. From there, the train glides through Paris, across the Swiss Alps, and into Italy — a slow reveal of Europe’s greatest hits.

The Paris to Istanbul route is the original — a true grand tour. It runs only a few times a year and includes stops in Bucharest and Budapest. The landscapes are breathtaking, and the cultural immersion is deep. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey for those who want something more than sightseeing.

Shorter journeys are also available, such as the Venice to Paris return or the Verona to Paris route. Each offers a slice of glamour with a little less time commitment. These are perfect for those who want to dip into the experience before planning a longer itinerary.

Wherever you go, expect sweeping views: snowy peaks, sleepy villages, winding rivers. The train doesn’t just connect places — it connects you to a feeling.

Where to Stay Before or After Your Journey

Your train journey may be the highlight, but the cities that bookend the trip deserve just as much attention. Where you stay before and after can elevate your entire holiday — especially when your choice matches the elegance of the train itself.

Hotel Cipriani, Venice

Tucked away on Giudecca Island, Hotel Cipriani offers rare privacy just moments from the heart of Venice. With sweeping lagoon views, its own private dock, and a stunning Olympic-sized pool, this is where old-world elegance meets relaxed luxury.

Rooms are dressed in soft silks and Murano glass. Service is discreet but always attentive. Dining on the terrace at sunset, with the lights of Venice twinkling in the distance, is nothing short of enchanting.

If you’re finishing your Orient Express journey in Venice, this hotel is the perfect finale. And if you’re starting here, it sets the tone in all the right ways.

We often have special offers available for this property, including seasonal packages and suite upgrades. Ask us about the latest exclusive deals when planning your luxury train journey.

The Ritz, London

Before boarding the British Pullman from London, why not stay somewhere equally iconic? The Ritz offers timeless charm in the heart of Mayfair. With its marble interiors, gilded ceilings, and famously impeccable afternoon tea, the hotel feels like a companion piece to the train.

Each room is a nod to Edwardian elegance, with plush bedding and antique details. The Rivoli Bar is perfect for a pre-journey cocktail, and Green Park is just across the street for a morning stroll.

It’s an ideal base before you step into the world of vintage rail travel. Classic, central, and filled with character.

We regularly feature luxury hotel offers in London that include added extras like spa access, dining credit, or early check-in. Be sure to ask what’s currently available when you speak with us.

What You’re Protected With When You Book Through Us

When you book luxury train journeys through Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, you’re not just getting a beautiful itinerary — you’re also getting complete peace of mind.

We’re a proud member of Protected Trust Services (PTS), which means every penny you pay is financially protected. Your money is placed in a secure trust account, so you’re never at risk if a supplier runs into trouble. This goes hand-in-hand with our ATOL licence, which covers all air-inclusive packages.

Every tailor-made holiday we arrange includes both Supplier Failure Insurance and Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance as standard. So if a hotel or airline unexpectedly ceases trading, your booking — and your investment — remains safe.

But our protection isn’t just financial. We’re with you every step of the way, from planning your dream journey to ensuring it runs smoothly. Should any disruption occur, you’ll have a real person to speak to — someone who knows your booking and can act fast.

When you travel with us, you travel confidently. That’s the Awake & Wander difference.

Our Take:

“The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express isn’t just a train — it’s a moment in your life you’ll always remember. We’re here to make sure that moment is wrapped in comfort, style, and complete peace of mind.”

Planning Your Perfect Escape

Planning luxury train journeys shouldn’t feel like hard work. When you choose to travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, you’re not just booking a trip — you’re curating an experience. And when you plan it with Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, that experience starts long before you board the train.

We’re here to tailor everything around your needs. That means the perfect pre- or post-journey hotel, first-class flights that fit your schedule, and thoughtful extras like private transfers, lounge access, or cultural tours in your destination. Every detail matters — and we handle them all.

If you want to browse ideas and build your own luxury rail holiday, you can now do that directly on our website. Our online booking tool gives you the freedom to explore combinations and pricing with ease. But if you’d rather leave the planning to someone else, just give us a ring or drop us a message. We’re only ever a phone call or enquiry form away.

So whether this is your first luxury train journey or the next chapter in a lifelong passion, let us help you make it unforgettable. You can reach us on 01495 400011, or use the holiday enquiry form on the website.



We’d love to help you climb aboard something truly extraordinary.

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