Think of luxury trains and one stands out amongst the rest in most people's minds. The opulent Venice Simplon-Orient Express (VSOE) conjures up images of the golden age of rail travel and is a byword for elegance. Stylishly decorated with rich wood panelling and Art Deco touches, travelling on this classic train is like stepping back in time to the 1920s.
To see whether the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express lives up to these high expectations, we sent one of our Directors, Julian Appleyard to experience a night on this most evocative of trains.
Waiting to board at Venice Santa Lucia station, passengers were treated to a spectacular arrival.
"The train takes your breath away," says Julian. "The carriages are beautiful and look absolutely immaculate. It's as if they had just rolled into the station straight from 1929."
"There's such attention to detail in the vintage carriages"
Julian's accommodation was a Historic Cabin in a vintage sleeping car built in 1929. It spent its first eight years as part of the glamorous Blue Train that carried the rich and famous to the French Riviera. Each of the passenger carriages and dining cars date from the 1920s and have recently been faithfully restored to reflect the design of the times.
"The cabin décor was wonderful, with stylings very much of the Art Deco period," continues Julian. "There was such attention to detail with lovely fabrics and stunning wooden inlays. Even in some top 5-Star hotels, you'd struggle to find such quality. It was very comfortable, too, with a large sofa during the day - perfect for soaking up the amazing views from the window, or just relaxing with a book."
"The Historic Cabin is the 'entry level' accommodation on the train. There's a small table where breakfast and snacks are served by the cabin attendant, as well as a washbowl. At night, the cabin attendant converts the sofa to a lower and upper bunk. The lower bunk was of a good size for one person. I looked into the Suites and Grand Suites. They are larger, with ensuite facilities and separate seating areas. They looked incredibly opulent, and were even more luxurious, but I was quite happy with the feeling of stepping back in time my Historic Cabin gave me."
Each carriage has its own cabin attendant who is on hand to ensure passengers never want for anything and provide useful information about the train and journey. "They were exceptional throughout, and the Train Manager was also really friendly and knowledgeable, providing informative facts about the route through the Alps. In fact, all the staff struck the perfect balance between professional and friendly. They all went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and welcome."
"You feel like royalty while dining"
Dining in sumptuous surroundings is one of the most anticipated experiences aboard the Orient Express. It's an event - and one that doesn't disappoint.
"The whole experience magically transports you back to the Golden Age of the Grand Tour. As you'd expect, everyone dresses for dinner. The men wear black tie, while most of the women had evening dresses.
"The food was noting short of exceptional. Enjoying a three-course lunch as we travelled along the shores of Lake Maggiore was an absolute treat, but dinner in particular was a fabulous experience. I've been fortunate enough to eat in a few Michelin-starred restaurants and the food on the VSOE was most definitely Michelin-standard in my opinion. All four courses were prepared to perfection.
"The sommelier-selected wines were of a very high quality and reflected the regions we travelled through. I had a fantastic white sauvignon from the South Tyrol. I've been trying - unsuccessfully - to find it ever since!
"Another really lovely thing about dining on the train is you can enjoy each of the three historic restaurant cars. They all have their own, unique décor and history. You feel like royalty dining in them.
"After dinner, I sipped cocktails in the bar, listening to the excellent pianist. People got up to dance which enhanced an already great journey."
"It's an experience that will stick with me for life"
Julian travelled on the classic Venice to Paris route which follows the course of the original Simplon Orient Express as closely as possible. Although the train itself is the star attraction, passengers can admire some of Europe's most incredible scenery from the vintage carriages. "There were some board games, but I was so entranced by the train and the views that I forgot to play!
"From watching sunny Venice recede slowly in the distance to our arrival in Paris, to be travelling in such style through such stunning scenery was something I'll always remember. Having lunch while we trundled past beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian mountains, we climbed higher into Switzerland where it started snowing in the Alps. It was magical.
"The train attracts a lot of attention! You can see everyone turn and look as it passes through stations, which really brings home how privileged you are to be enjoying such an experience. It's a feeling that's understood by the passengers.
"Everyone was intent on having a wonderful time and there was a real mix of people on board. Many were celebrating, from 30th birthdays to golden wedding anniversaries. It added to the overall enjoyment. "The sound of the train on the rails, the amazing scenery, the smell of the food and the beautiful decoration. Everything combined to create such a special atmosphere. It's an experience that will stick with me for life."
"It couldn't have captured the essence of the 1920s more perfectly" "I've been incredibly lucky throughout my life working in travel to have enjoyed many incredible experiences," says Julian. "However, I've never really been one for 'luxury' so I wasn't sure how I would feel about the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
"It's not cheap and, before I travelled on it, I found it difficult to wrap my head around the cost. Having now travelled on it, though, I can now say it provides excellent value. It goes beyond luxury and couldn't have captured the essence of the 1920s more perfectly.
"It's a completely unique, once-in-a-lifetime journey which genuinely feels like stepping back in time 100 years. I would completely recommend the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and have already done so to friends and family.
"There is nowhere else and no other train that could provide this level of experience."
