Latest news with #VeniceSimplon-Orient-Express
India.com
03-05-2025
- India.com
World's most luxurious train has fare of more than Rs 4 lakh, not Maharajas' Express, Belmond British Pullman, Golden Eagle, it is…, runs from…
World's most luxurious train: Today, the rail network around the world is among the best transportation systems. Trains have seen significant development. Where there used to be only seating, trains now offer an experience akin to traveling in a moving hotel. Sitting in these trains feels like you are journeying from a place resembling a palace. You may have heard and read about many luxury trains, but today we are going to tell you about a luxury train that is ultra, mega, and super luxury, all rolled into one. This is a train that allows you to comfortably view the world during your journey. Let's learn more about this train. This is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), a private luxury train service operating from London to Venice and other European cities. Currently, the train is owned by Belmond. It was established in 1982 by James Sherwood from Kentucky, USA. The first London-Venice train was run on May 25, 1982. Facilities available on the train The Venice Simplon Orient Express is perhaps the most famous luxury train in the world, featuring lavish coaches built in the 1920s, marble bathrooms, 24-hour butler service, and complimentary champagne for passengers. This train travels to major European cities like London, Paris, Venice, Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. The amenities available on the Venice Simplon Orient Express are exceptional, but it's worth noting that the facilities on this train are comparable to those of India's Maharajas' Express, which is a luxury tourist train owned and operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC). Fare of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train The fare of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train can go up to Rs 406,479.54 rupees per journey. If you want to travel on this luxury train, you can follow the instructions provided on the website to book your ticket. When compared to Maharajas' Express, the most expensive ticket is for the Presidential Suite, which costs approximately Rs 2,101,619.51 rupees per trip.
West Australian
03-05-2025
- West Australian
Europe cities, five for 2025
Amsterdam. Paris. Brussels. Just some of the storied destinations you can reach on the Eurostar from London. But from July there will be another tempting train to ride, a new luxury sleeper service by Belmond, the company behind the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Departing from London Victoria, the Britannic Explorer will offer upscale multi-night rail journeys to some of the most picturesque pockets of England and Wales. Three and six-day itineraries will showcase gorgeous slices of coast and countryside in Cornwall, the Lake District, Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia. The window scenery will be complemented by lots of swanky features and flavours on board. Each of the train's 18 elegantly-furnished cabins have ensuite bathrooms — and you'll get a butler if you book a grand suite. In the dining cars, there's afternoon tea and modern British menus curated by Simon Rogan, chef-patron at L'Enclume, a three Michelin star restaurant in Cumbria, with Sven-Hanson Britt, formerly of The Ritz in London, now the Britannic Explorer's executive head chef. There's one catch for this train. Fares are not exactly inexpensive. Bank on paying from around $13,000 per passenger. It's expected that services will run annually on dates between March and November. Distinctly less taxing on the wallet, but requiring a bit more intestinal fortitude, is the prospect of swimming in the Seine. Inspired perhaps by watching the triathletes crawling through the river in last year's Olympics, ordinary folk will be able to test out their strokes in Paris' famous waterway this northern summer following the completion of a $2.4 billion clean-up project to enhance the water quality. There are three new quayside sites where members of the public can swim freely from, including Bras Marie, which is in the heart of Paris, within strolling distance of the rejuvenated Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Seine swims will add an extra layer to the Paris-Plages project, which has tried to bring a touch of the Cote d'Azur to the French capital's river and canals since 2002, with pop-up beaches and activities from July to early September. If you're still wary about ducking beneath the surface of the Seine — this will be the first public swimming allowed in the river since it was previously banned in 1923 — you could go kayaking or canoeing instead. Krakow may hog the tourists, but those who make the effort to visit Warsaw are usually impressed by Poland's phoenix-like capital. In ruins after World War II, and under communist rule until 1989, the city has rebounded in recent decades and is now spoken about in glowing terms, similar to when it was dubbed the 'Paris of the East' before all the 20th century turmoil. From the buzzy cafe terraces in the meticulously-restored old town (Stare Miasto) to the promenades and natural beaches hugging the Vistula River, to the sprinkling of Michelin-starred restaurants and slick galleries, Warsaw is also the setting for one of Europe's most keenly-anticipated cultural openings in 2025. After being shifted around from temporary home to temporary home for two decades, the city's Museum of Modern Art finally has a permanent base: a purpose-built, light-filled space facing the Palace of Culture and Science, a towering landmark from the Soviet era. Designed by New York-based architect Thomas Phifer, the museum exhibits pieces by late Polish icons Magdalena Abakanowicz and Alina Szapocznikow (who was a Holocaust survivor), as well as from overseas talents like Sandra Mujinga, a Congo-born Norwegian abstract artist who's making waves with her inventive audio-visual installations. Birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, backdropped by snow-dusted alps, stirring tunes enlivening its postcard-pretty streets and gardens, Salzburg is rarely anything other than a delight. This year it's upping the ante further with a medley of themed events, exhibitions and experiences to mark the 60th anniversary of The Sound Of Music, a much-loved movie shot in and around the Austrian city. Whether you're attending a live performance of the musical in one of Salzburg's endearing theatres — such as the Salzburger Marionettentheater, with puppeteers pulling the characters' strings — or admiring the nostalgia-inducing filming locations with charismatic guides (or on new self-guided audio tours), don't be surprised to find yourself grinning and humming along to classic tunes like Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss and My Favourite Things. Malta is a perennial favourite on the Mediterranean cruise ship circuit, both a port of call and a hub for embarking and disembarking, But the dreamy UNESCO sites, cinematic coastline and quaint fishing villages of this sun-baked archipelago makes it worth sticking around for several days at least. You could easily spend a week here, hopping between the three main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. From mid-2025, you'll be able to base yourself at the Romegas Hotel, a snazzy 23-room boutique number in a converted 500-year-old aristocratic palazzo in the honey-hued streets of Valletta, Malta's compact yet vibrant capital. Many of the building's original features have been preserved, including the traditional enclosed Maltese balconies, while there will be a contemporary fizz to the hotel's bar, restaurant and rooftop pool, which looks out towards the sparkling Med. Step out the front door and you're just a five-minute amble from St John's Co-Cathedral, built in the 16th century for the Order of the Knights of St John and renowned for its breathtaking baroque interior and paintings by Caravaggio.
India.com
27-04-2025
- India.com
World's most expensive train has ticket worth millions, it runs in..., not US, UK, UAE, Europe, name is...
(Representational image: World's most expensive train: How far can you think and imagine luxury and opulence can go? Ultra, mega, or super and beyond. There are a few things that are more mechanical, controlled by motors and physics from the inside but are pure artistry from the outside. They are capable of giving jolts to even the most seasoned connoisseurs of luxuriousness. For example, the entity we are going to talk about here is one such product that is more about metal as it uses its wheels to run on tracks. It is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), a private luxury train service from London to Venice and other European cities. It is currently owned by Belmond. It was established in 1982 by James Sherwood of Kentucky, United States. On 25 May 1982, the first London–Venice run was made. The Venice Simplon Orient Express is perhaps the most famous luxury train in the world that features restored coaches from the 1920s, with marble-clad ensuite bathrooms, 24-hour butler service and free-flowing champagne. This train goes to major European cities like London, Paris, Venice, Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. The cost per trip is Rs 4,06,479.54. But there is one train that is much ahead of the Venice Simplon Orient Express and that is India's Maharajas Express which is a luxury tourist train owned and operated by The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The most expensive ticket on the Maharaja Express is for the Presidential Suite, which is about Rs 21,01,619.51 per trip. It offers luxurious amenities, beautiful decor, and stunning views of historic and natural destinations. The duration of one trip is 6 nights, offering a luxurious experience with private butlers, Michelin-star dining, and palace-like suites. Maharajas Express operates different itineraries from October to April of which two are short-term Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra) tours and the others are week-long Pan-India voyages. Maharajas' Express gives its passengers an authentic feel and essence of royalty. It was voted 'The World's Leading Luxury Train' seven times in a row at The World Travel Awards from 2012 through 2018. Maharajas' Express also received recognition from the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Travel Award in 2022. Maharajas' Express offers a vivid glimpse of heritage, legacy, comfort, luxury and extravagant indulgence making your journey an amazing experience. The air-conditioned ambient provides full comfort. Suites with attached bathrooms that are Wi-Fi-enabled so that you have your personal space for hygienic purposes and making sure that you are never out of touch. There are separate cars with astonishing restaurants and bars and carriages that are inspired by the royal lifestyle. Maharajas' Express makes sure you get an unforgettable experience. With accommodation options ranging from deluxe to presidential suites, the train offers a lounge, a bar, and two restaurants—Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal, with a hand-painted fresco ceiling. (Disclaimer: All information provided here has been collated from the most reliable sources. However, we strongly recommend that you check and verify the latest status for any updates.)
New York Times
18-03-2025
- New York Times
Immersed in Elegance as the World Rolls By: Luxury Sleeper Trains
If you've longed to indulge in elegant rail travel, but thought the days of lavish cars and live music were over, you're in luck. New trains as well as new routes, amenities and special events are rolling out, enticing travelers to sit back, Champagne in hand, and glide through some of the world's most beautiful landscapes. Be it the Lake District in England or the mountainous island of Kyushu in Japan, these journeys offer suites that rival rooms in high-end hotels, and dishes from chefs whose restaurants have won Michelin stars. Here's where to climb aboard. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond Train, Europe Beginning in May, this opulent train, with its restored 1920s and '30s carriages, will offer a new, three-night journey called Paris to Tuscany by a Legend of the Rails. Step into Bar Car 3674 to enjoy live piano music before retiring to your jewel-toned room. Options include a 'historic cabin' with seats that convert to berths (communal restrooms are at the end of each sleeper carriage); a suite with its own marble bathroom and a double or twin bed that converts to a seating area; or a grand suite with a marble bathroom, double bed, dining area and 24-hour butler service. During your travels, you'll visit Siena, Italy, where you'll tour the Gothic-style historic center. You'll stop by a 13th-century palace in the Piazza del Campo where you can savor an aperitif while taking in panoramic views of the city, and spend two nights amid vineyards and olive groves at Castello di Casole, a Belmond Hotel, Tuscany. While there, stroll the grounds, join a stargazing session at the outdoor amphitheater and unwind with live music in the courtyard. Prices (including meals with wine) are from 9,350 pounds, or about $12,100 a person, based on two guests sharing a historic cabin and two nights in a junior suite at Castello di Casole. In June, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will begin traveling to Portofino from Paris again (last year was its inaugural journey), this time with an added carriage: the L'Observatoire sleeper carriage, designed by the French artist, JR. The train's largest accommodation will have its own library with more than 1,000 books, a tearoom with a fireplace, even a skylight so you can watch the clouds as the train moves along. The trip concludes at Splendido, a Belmond Hotel, which, beginning in June, will unveil renovations and updates to communal spaces, including a breakfast area, cocktail bar and Dior spa. Prices (which include meals and wine) for Paris to Portofino are from £10,400 a person, based on two guests sharing a historic cabin and two nights in a premium room at Splendido. La Dolce Vita Orient Express Channeling the allure of Italy in the 1960s and 70s, this sleek train will begin offering eight round-trip itineraries in April, each departing from Rome, where you'll find the new La Dolce Vita Orient Express lounge, at Roma Ostiense train station. From there, depending on your itinerary, you'll travel to places like Tuscany and Piedmont. Some itineraries may appeal to train buffs, such as the Rome-to-Sicily trip during which you'll see the train decouple and be loaded onto a ferry to cross the Strait of Messina, then get reassembled on the other side. Indulge in meals overseen by the chef Heinz Beck, perhaps best known for La Pergola, the three Michelin-starred restaurant in Rome. At night you'll sleep in one of 12 deluxe cabins with mirrored walls (a sofa unfolds to a double bed, and ottomans can be used as coffee tables) or in one of 18 suites with beds, sofas, tables and armchairs. An additional suite, meant to be the grandest on the train, is in the works. Prices for a one-night itinerary from 3,500 euros, or about $3,800, a person in a deluxe cabin. Should you wish to supplement your train travels with stays in Rome or Venice, the first ever hotels from Orient Express are also opening this year, including the Orient Express La Minerva, a former 17th-century palace in Rome, and the Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice. The Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train, United Kingdom Billing itself as the first luxury sleeper train touring England and Wales, this new train is scheduled to take to the rails in July. Departing from London, it will offer three-night journeys with three different routes through Wales, Cornwall and the Lake District. Inside you'll find bright cars and 18 playful, soft-hued cabins, including 15 suites and three 'grand suites' that take their inspiration from the scenic views beyond the windows and have double beds, en-suite bathrooms and butler service. The British chef Simon Rogan, whose restaurants have garnered Michelin stars, will offer dishes with seasonal ingredients inspired by Britain's various regions. Indulge in massages and facials in the wellness suite, sip a cocktail at the bar, and take part in off-train activities, including swimming in the Lake District, visiting Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Cornwall, and touring the Hauser & Wirth Somerset gallery and arts center along with dinner at the on-site restaurant, Da Costa. Prices from £11,000 (for a double cabin), including a three-night itinerary, excursions, meals and alcoholic beverages on board. Seven Stars Plan ahead for a journey on the sumptuous Seven Stars in Kyushu, the island in southern Japan known for its hot springs, mountains and mouthwatering cuisine. A glamorous sleeper train with just 10 guest rooms, Seven Stars includes eight suites and two deluxe suites, one at the end of the last car with breathtaking views through a wall-to-wall window. Savor a cup of tea in the tearoom, enjoy piano music at the Blue Moon bar, or try the new Kaz Bar, a private bar in a cabin available for use by reservation only. Itineraries, some of which include stays at a ryokan, vary with the season. All depart from and return to Hakata Station in the city of Fukuoka. To reserve, apply online (the next application period will be in the spring for journeys for fall 2025 to winter 2026) or book through a travel agent (some sell tickets as part of a package). March to June 2025 prices for a two-day journey are from 680,000 yen a person, or about $4,575, and from 1,300,000 yen for a four-day journey. Prices include meals and beverages (excluding some vintage wine and Champagne), as well as excursions. The Kaz Bar is not included in the price. Kanpachi Ichiroku For day-tripping sightseers in Kyushu, the new Kanpachi Ichiroku train enables you to gaze at the countryside while enjoying bento box meals that look (almost) too good to eat. Offering a soothing, minimalist atmosphere, the train has two runs. The Kanpachi service departs from Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, then travels to Oita prefecture; stops include Tanushimaru station, where part of the building has a head-and-beak design meant to resemble a kappa, a water creature from Japanese folklore, and Era station, where vendors sell local specialties. The Ichiroku service, begins at Beppu and ends at Hakata, with stops at Amagase station, where you can buy fortunetelling tickets that reveal their message when soaked in the hand and foot baths at the station, and Ukiha station, where you can try produce from this region. Choose from sofa-style seats, cozy box seats and private tatami rooms that can accommodate up to six with mats, seating, tables and big windows from which to watch the landscape roll by. Prices, sold only as one-way trips, include a bento box: From 18,000 yen, for adults and from 15,000 yen for children 6 to 12. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025.
