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Venice Simplonorientexpress A Legend In The Making

The carriages which now make up the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express have a colourful history. They have criss-crossed the frontiers of Europe, operating for a number of different railway companies, each having developed it's own individual character and creating its own history. Sleeping Car 3309 for example, was stuck in a snow drift for 10 days in 1929, sixty miles from Istanbul with a full complement of passengers who survived only with the help of local Turkish visitors, whilst Sleeping Car 3425 was used by King Carol of Romania.

The dawning of the age of luxury train travel can be traced back to 1864, when George Mortimer Pullman, an innovative railway builder, created a train in Britain using the latest technology of the era and offering luxury far superior to anything else available in Europe at that time.

In the 1870's the first meals were served on board a train and together with the first sleeping carriages and parlour cars - the Pullman Limited Express began operating in 1881. It ran between London and Brighton and was also the first train to be illuminated by electricity.

Around the same time in Europe, George Nagelmackers began building luxury train carriages and gradually proceeded to do for continental trains what George Pullman had done for trains in Britain. In 1881 he introduced the first dining car aboard a continental train and later in 1883 he added sleeping cars and on 4th October the first Orient-Express train was inaugurated operating from Paris via Strasbourg, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest to Giugi in Romania.

By 1900 the age of rail travel in Europe was in full swing. In 1906 the Simplon Tunnel was completed, joining Switzerland to Italy under the Alps. At 12 ½ miles long, it was the longest tunnel in the world and significantly cut the trip from Paris to Venice and by 1921 the Orient-Express was running an extended Simplon-Orient-Express journey to Istanbul.

The 1920s and 1930s were the zenith of the Orient-Express services with Royalty and celebrities indulging in elaborate meals and fine wines whilst enjoying decadent company intermingled with spies and courtesans. This provided the perfect setting for Agatha Chritie's Murder on the Orient-Express in which detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of one of the passengers. In fact there have been a total of 19 books and a musical written about the Orient-Express.

The cancellation of ferry services and cross-frontier travel during the Second World War put end to this magnificent era and in the depression years that followed, the demand for these luxury carriages declined. Air travel, which was faster and cheaper dealt another blow to the Orient-Express which managed to keep operating until May 1977, its final journey made by just one dilapidated sleeping car and three day cars.

The train was however given a ‘rebirth' when rail enthusiast, James B Sherwood - an American-born British entrepreneur bought two of the carriages at auction in Monte Carlo and spent the following few years and sixteen million dollars locating, purchasing and restoring some 35 vintage sleeping cars, Pullmans and dining cars. In 1982 the rebirth was complete with the maiden run of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice and today it continues to transport passengers in opulent luxury across Europe on one of the most romantic journeys possible.

As you step on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express today, you step back into an age of elegance and refined service as you are shown to your compartment of polished brass, gleaming wood, crisp linen and soft towels. Your cabin is an oasis of restful retreat with views of an ever-changing landscape. Passengers are looked after by cabin Stewards throughout their journey providing attentive but discreet service.

Although the cabins are fitted to the highest standard, it must be remembered that these carriages were originally built at a time when sleeping on board a train was a luxury in itself, and private facilities that we expect today were unheard of. Each cabin has a compact wash basin, there is a shared w.c. at the end of each carriage, but there are no baths or showers on board.

Meals on board are comparable to the finest restaurants with all meals prepared on board by French chefs, using only the finest ingredients, which are taken on board during the train's journey.

Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in your cabin, whilst brunch, lunch and dinner are served by Italian waiters in one of the three Dining Cars - the Lalique, Etoile du Nord and the Chinoise.

Today the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express makes regular journeys between London, Paris and Venice between March and November (the London to Folkestone section of the journey is on the British Pullman, another Orient-Express train and passengers are taken by luxury coaches onto Le Shuttle through the Channel Tunnel to join the continental train in Calais). It makes an annual trip from Paris to Istanbul, travelling via Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest and Varna and returning back to Venice. During the year it also makes occasional journeys to Rome, Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Krakow.

With an overnight journey to Venice starting at £1,595 per person the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is not going to be a trip for everyone's budget, but for those that can afford it, or save for the trip of a lifetime, this certainly is an experience that will live in your memories for ever!

About the Author

Jeff Paulett is a partner of Luxury Trains.co.uk. Visit their site for further information on the Orient Express or luxury trains in general.

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