The living legend ORIENT EXPRESS
ORIENT EXPRESS, its name alone is evoking dreams and longings. Immediately one is remembered about Agathe Christie and her brilliant crime novel - `Murder on the ORIENT EXPRESS´ - and we see Hercule Poirot and the suspects.
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| With the ORIENT EXPRESS to Venezia (Mit dem Orient Express nach Venedig) - still from a German TV documentation, PHOENIX |
When in 1883 the first Express train of a new formed luxury train company, founded by its brainchild Georges Nagelmakers, Paris left for, at first Giugiu in Romania, left, Mr. Nagelmakers may have dreamed, that his luxury express train should become the synonym for luxury, comfort and speed.
And indeed the ORIENT EXPRESS turned into the Queen of Trains - often copied, but never outdone in its fame. Alone the destination, the Orient, was a place of longing and dreams. And that very train fulfilled those dreams within a short time. No longer weeks to go down to Istanbul, and into the Ottoman Empire, but days - the continent grew closer, became smaller.
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| The "humble" beginning of the ORIENT EXPRESS in 1883 - Source: Wikipedia |
Since its first journey the train was booked by officials, tradesmen, adventurers, rich, spys, criminals, mobilities and royals. the passenger lists sometimes are a who-is-who of the period.
A snowdrift stoped Agatha Christie´s own voyage to Istanbul and inspired her for her crime story, that made the ORIENT EXPRESS the more famous than it was at her time - with or with out death and murder.
Other writers had been writing too about the ORIENT EXPRESS, before and after, but failed her fame. Several films had been made about this fictional crime, staging on board the ORIENT EXPRESS - November 2nd in Great Britain and 10th in the USA, this year (2017) a new film, filled again with stars, will be released. Most of us may have in mind the film with Albert Finney.
And boarding the ORIENT EXPRESS you will see the coupé once used by Agatha Christie, and the places where her story was staging.
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| Murder on the Orient Express, theatrical release poster - courtesy 20th Century Fox |
The ORIENT EXPRESS in his beginning and his later prime, was an equivalent for todays High Speed Trains, as ICE, TGV, THALYS and EUROSTAR. But its luxuries are no longer offered when it comes to travel from A to B.
The legend still is living
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| BELMOND´s ORIENT EXPRESS en route in the Alps - courtesy BELMOND |
The ORIENT EXPRESS of today has another purpose, no longer carrying people for urgent business across Europe - today, the way is the target.
Back in its prime, there was the pressure of time for the passengers of the ORIENT EXPRESS, and the other luxury trains of CIWL´s rail service network, accompanied by a "certain hectic". I had the luck observing such, when taking with my grandmère branch trains of CIWL, as the TRAIN BLEU to the Cote d´AZUR.
ORIENT EXPRESS travelling in Style
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| Adjoining coupés of the ORIENT EXPRESS, VSOE - courtesy BELMOND |
Today the ORIENT EXPRESS is a luxury hotel on wheels - with finest damask, exquisite glasses, cutlery and plates, outstanding menus and over the top service - which take its passengers like a time machine to a time travel without any stress (except for the crew), but with stories, with or without murder ...
The ORIENT EXPRESS himself is the goal to be part of and be with, the target is the travelling in style, where the destination becomes less important, despite the highlights to be seen.
Georges Nagelmakers dream, that his ORIENT EXPRESS became the synonym for luxury and ultimate comfort came true.
Other ORIENT EXPRESSes
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| The NIOE 1988 in Japan - Source: Wikipedia |
The ORIENT EXPRESS was copied by many, but those copies never reached its fame. Eventually because the train became part of history and politics, as well dramas - political and private. And countless stories about the train and its passengers, real and fictional, had been written and published. ORIENT EXPRESS became a legend and world heritage.
The new ORIENT EXPRESS
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| Conductors of BELMOND´s VSOE, the ORIENT EXPRESS at a station - courtesy BELMOND |
In the last years SNCF, which bought the trademark brand, fought for its brand rights. Countless products had been related to the ORIENT EXPRESS for partaking of its glamour. BELMOND changed its brand name, but still is offering under license the luxurious train. ACCOR, owner of CIWL (COMPAGNIE INTERNATIONALE des WAGONS-LITS), quarreled with SNCF, but bought 50% of the brand and is starting a new luxury hotel brand named ORIENT EXPRESS. The two companies partner with the service on board the ORIENT EXPRESS day trains, that are offered by SNCF.
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| Salon and bar coach of the BELMOND VSOE, ORIENT EXPRESS - courtesy BELMOND |
The epithet of ORIENT EXPRESS is strictly guarded by SNCF now. Some ventures branded with `ORIENT EXPRESS´ had to close as AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS or NIOE, later branded GRAND EXPRESS EUROPEAN - but for nothing, they finally had to close their business.
The actual BELMOND, the licensed ORIENT EXPRESS with its original coaches, started with James B. Sherwood in 1982. After the collapse of the SHERWOOD Group, the remains ended with now BELMOND.
If you are interested in a voyage of style on board the ORIENT EXPRESS may look at Great Rail JOURNEYS´ 8night/day tour.
Your holiday begins with a flight to Pisa, home to Italy's
famous Leaning Tower. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in
Florence, a city synonymous with Italy's art culture, often
referred to as the 'jewel of the Renaissance.' After time to settle
in at our hotel, the 4-Star Starhotels Michelangelo, we enjoy
dinner together in the hotel's restaurant this evening.
We enjoy a guided tour of Florence's many treasures today,
including the Duomo with its iconic red-tiled dome, and the
beautiful Ponte Vecchio - a 14th century bridge that is home to 43
jewellers' shops.
Your afternoon is free to explore Florence at leisure.
Picturesque narrow streets and squares, including the Piazza della
Signoria - the people-watching centre of Florence - are only part
of the city's charm; much of the beauty of the city is found
indoors. One fifth of the world's Renaissance art is kept and
displayed in Florence's museums, galleries, churches, monasteries
and palaces; many in the Basilica Santa Croce and as many as 1,700
masterpieces in the world-famous Uffizi Gallery.
Our excursion today is to delightful Siena, a remarkably
well-preserved medieval city that boasts a mix of narrow streets,
pretty open spaces and magnificent buildings focused around the
great central Campo, a shell-shaped piazza. Although many of the
oldest remaining structures date back to the medieval period, the
town itself has a much longer history, having developed under the
Etruscans, before Roman occupation around the first century BC. We
take a guided tour of the city's enchanting streets, enjoying it's
delightfully traffic-free winding streets and haphazard layout,
lined with terracotta-roofed houses and dotted with small community
churches. Sights of interest in Siena include the magnificent
Duomo, one of Italy's great cathedrals with a nave flanked on both
sides by intriguing giant striped columns, constructed from black
and white marble.
After exploring Siena, we move on to a typical winery in the
rolling hills of Tuscany. Here, we have a tour of the vineyard,
uncovering the secrets to Tuscan wine production amidst some of
Italy's most famous countryside scenery, before enjoying a tasting.
Later, we visit the striking walled town of San Gimignano, where
you are free to explore. The village is perhaps best known for the
thirteen towers dominating the skyline, visible for miles around,
which were built by competitive Tuscan families in the Middle Ages.
After time to discover the town's charms, we return to Florence
this evening.
After breakfast today, we travel by rail (Standard Class) to
Pisa, where we have a guided tour that includes the city's
beautiful Field of Miracles. Here we see the world famous Leaning
Tower, which began to lean as soon as it was built and was used by
Galileo to study gravity, and the marvellous white marble Duomo.
The cathedral is often overlooked by tourists who flock to see the
bell tower, one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture.
After free time for lunch, we continue to Lucca - Tuscany's
best-kept secret; a place of true beauty that has managed to escape
the tourist crowds. You are free to wander through the ancient
streets at your own pace, before we return to Florence.
Day 5 - On to Venizia in First Class
Sit back and enjoy our First Class train journey to Venice, the
floating city of shimmering waterways, elaborate bridges and ornate
palaces. Arriving at the city's Santa Lucia station we are greeted
by a truly glorious view of the shimmering Grand Canal, before we
transfer to our hotel, the Hotel Splendid Venice. This afternoon,
we enjoy a guided tour of Venice, including the magnificent St
Mark's Square, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful city squares
in the world. Overlooked by St Mark's Basilica, the large open
space is surrounded by the Doge's Palace, the Procurator's
residence, the famous Sansoviniana Bookshop and the iconic bell
tower, as well as the waters of the lagoon.
Our local guide takes us on a walking tour of the city, leading
us around the narrow streets and small squares to visit some of
Venice's main sights, the famous Rialto Bridge, completed in 1591
and an architectural gem that spans the Grand Canal.
Today gives you the opportunity to further explore Venice.
Perhaps visit the nearby island of Burano, famous for its
lace-making and full of colourful streets lined with pastel-painted
houses, or the island of Murano, which is renowned for its gorgeous
glassware. Explore Murano's sparkling art history at the Museo del
Vetro, which houses some of the best examples of locally-produced
glass artworks. With Roman pieces dating back 1500 years, to 17th
century works adorned with delicate gilt work, to modern-day pieces
and an explanation of the glass-making process available in an
adjoining salon, this is the best way to experience Murano's
greatest claim to fame. Tonight we enjoy a four-course farewell
dinner in a local restaurant.
This morning we embark on the highlight of our adventure, as we
board the world-famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. This glorious
train harks back to the 'Golden Age' of rail travel in its
sumptuous interiors and exceptional service. We are welcomed on
board with a glass of sparkling wine, after which your steward
settles you into your comfortable private vintage cabin. All we
need to do is relax and watch the stunning scenery unfold before
enjoying a delicious three-course lunch, as we pass through the
magnificent Italian Dolomites, with tea and pastries served later
this afternoon in your cabin, as the train travels through
picturesque Austria. Then it's soon time to dress for dinner in one
of the stunning three restaurant cars. We are treated to an
indulgent four courses, prepared by talented on-board chefs and
enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Afterwards, why not linger over a nightcap listening to the
sound of the baby grand piano? Retire to your cabin when you're
ready, which has now been transformed into a cosy bedroom.
We wake up on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express this
morning, where a continental breakfast is served at a time of your
choosing in your private cabin. Sit back and watch the final
landscapes pass by, before we pull in to Paris. Here, we have a
chance to disembark and stretch our legs, before we continue to the
French coast for the Channel Tunnel crossing. En-route we enjoy a
fantastic brunch in one of the restaurant cars, and as we disembark
in Calais, a luxury motorcoach is waiting to take us under the
English Channel.
On arrival in the UK, we join the Venice
Simplon-Orient-Express's sister train, the Belmond British Pullman,
an iconic vintage train that takes us on the final leg of our
journey. The height of 1920s elegance and style, the Belmond
British Pullman sails serenely through the stunning English
countryside - a truly genteel way to pass through the best of
British scenery. Each carriage is individually named and steeped in
its own history, with some carriages having been used extensively
by the British royal family, and wherever you are on board, you
will be subject to the greatest of luxury. As we pass through the
great British countryside, a traditional afternoon tea accompanied
by English sparkling wine is served, as a final highlight of our
tour. On arrival in London, we disembark, and our tour concludes
here in the capital.
Click here luxury rail travel 2018
Click here luxury rail travel 2018
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