Even to this day, the words alone, conjure up adventure, excitement and exotic among others.
If you love to travel, then like us, this always ranked high up on our bucket list of “must do’s” and when we finally got to take the journey from London to Venice – it was amazing. As far as bucket lists go, this was an expensive one, but worth it.
These days the Orient Express, known as Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is run by the Belmond company, experts in luxury travel. There are several options for travelling on the train and you can find details on belmond.com or for a little more detailed information, hop over to seat61.com where you can read about the original train and plenty of information about the VSOE.
For now, sit back and read our little adventure on this fantastic journey.
Once you’ve booked and paid for your trip, your tickets will arrive in the post via courier a week or so before your departure date. You can book your trip online or by phone. When we booked by phone, it allowed us to ask any additional questions that we may not have found the answers for online. The person we dealt was very helpful and professional.
The first leg of the journey (London to Folkestone) is on the beautifully restored British Pullman carriages, each with it’s own name such as Perseus and Phoenix. The train departs from London’s Victoria station at around 10:30. Check in is at the Belmond desk on platform 2. Some people may only be taking a short day trip, others are going to Paris and most probably all the way to Venice. Any extra-large luggage will be stored in the baggage car.
Once seated in our very comfortable high back chairs, we depart Victoria station bang on time and within 15 minutes we were travelling through the countryside. The look of the carriages is beautiful, wood panelling walls, brass luggage racks, old-fashioned light fixtures, even the radio speaker is straight out of the 1920’s it looks amazing. Our table is set with the finest of cups and saucers, knives and forks on a pristine table cloth.
Brunch is served with a tasty Bellini and fresh fruit salad to start, this is followed by smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, all very tasty. A pastry to finish with some coffee, all the time enjoying the scenery in the comfort of your seat. The waiting team look very smart and you can tell they are well used to serving meals on a moving train.
On arrival into Folkestone, it’s time to disembark the train and board our fancy coaches to travel the short distance to the Chunnel. Once there you get off and go through passport control then it’s back on the coaches which then drive onto the waiting train, yep, if you’ve not seen it before the coaches drive onto the train for the short journey through the Chunnel.
Refreshments are served as the train travels through the Chunnel which takes all of about 20 minutes. Once on the other side you’re now in Calais, France then there’s a short journey to meet up with the VSOE proper. As the coaches pull in, the staff are lined up as if awaiting your inspection, you’ve got about 30 minutes before the train departs, plenty of time to take a few snaps.
You’re first greeted by your cabin stewart who will bring you to your sleeper cabin which will be your home for the next 24 hours. Once we got to our cabin we were served a very nice glace of champagne with some nibbles so all that was left to do for now, was sit back and enjoy the next part of the journey, next stop, Paris.
There are two service times for dinner – 18:00 and 21:00 – we booked the latter, you can also request which of the three dining carriages you’d prefer to dine in, Cote d’Azur, Etoile du Nord or L’Orientale. You can also request a table for two or if you’re being social, you can be seated with other guests.
On arrival into Paris’ Gare de l’Est, the train stops for an hour or so, to pick up passengers going to Venice. If, at this point you had booked dinner for the earlier seating, you’d be having dinner on a stationary train at the station.
Of course, dinner on the train is a very special event and for such an event one must dress accordingly. Black tie is recommended, you may feel under-dressed wearing anything else as all the men in our dining car wore black tie and all the ladies wore dresses with the best of jewellery on display. Actually smart casual is expected throughout the entire journey when not having dinner.
Before dinner of course we made our way to the piano bar for a pre-dinner drink, more champagne. The piano bar was full but we managed to get two seats, everyone was dressed up and the music was splendid. No need to worry about making your way to the bar as the staff look after your order and bring your drinks to you.
Dinner was a fantastic affair, serving the best of food again with a beautiful set table. The staff were friendly and efficient and go out of their way to make your dining experience a memorable one.
After dinner we went back to the piano carriage for a late night tipple before retiring to our cabin for a good night’s sleep.
When you awake the following morning, the train is now passing through the amazing Swiss countryside, lakes, snow topped mountains, it was fantastic. We also decided to treat ourselves to the “celebration breakfast” which is an add-on. Who would not want champagne for breakfast. It was delicious, check out my eggs benedict with truffle.
Lunch time rolls around, we were still quiet full after our breakfast but we struggled on and had a very tasty lunch. Little did we know there was even more food to come, a late afternoon tea which was served in our cabin, we had to refuse, we were so full.
Eventually the train arrives into Venice station, the time went by pretty quick, the journey was beyond memorable and something we really can’t rate highly enough. There’s one more thing left to do, our transfer to our hotel which is also part of the VSOE package.
Yes it’s an expensive trip but as far as once in a lifetime goes, this goes above and beyond. But we do plan on doing it again!
If you’d like to continue reading, jump over to our short breaks – Venice section.
C&J
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