The Orient Express gets its name because its final destination (or starting point depensding on which way you were travelling) was Instanbul. Indeed, Agatha Christie wrote Murder On The Orient Express while staying in the city that straddles both Europe and Asia.
The 1930s was the heyday of the Orient Express, with three parallel services running: the Orient Express, the Simplon Orient Express, and also the Arlberg Orient Express, which ran via Zurich and Innsbruck to Budapest, with sleeper cars running onwards from there to Bucharest and Athens.
It was during this time that the Orient Express acquired its reputation for comfort and luxury, carrying sleeping-cars with permanent service and restaurant cars known for the quality of their cuisine. Royalty, nobles, diplomats, business people and the bourgeoisie in general patronised it.
As train travel declined in popularity, the Orient Express and Arlberg Orient Express stopped running, leaving only the Simplon Orient Express. This was replaced in 1962 by a slower service called the Direct Orient Express, which ran daily cars from Paris to Belgrade, and twice weekly services from Paris to Istanbul and Athens.
In 1982, the Venice-Simplon Orient Express was established as a private venture, running restored 1920s and 1930s carriages from London to Venice.
This service continues to this day and runs between March and November. The company also offers occasional services between Venice and Istanbul, as well as routes to other European cities.
The two day journey between London and Venice begins when you board the gleaming carriages of the British Pullman train at London Victoria station. You can then sit back and enjoy a three-course lunch with wine and a glass of champagne as you travel through the Kent countryside.
After crossing the channel, you board the blue and gold carriages of the Continental Wagons-Lits. As well as a private compartment you also will be attended by your own personal Steward throughout the journey to Venice.
Dinner is served in one of the fully restored restaurant cars. Here you will be served a four course dinner andf afterwards can enjoy a drink or two in he bar car while being entertained by the pianist there. When you are ready, retire to your compartment, you will find your Steward has transformed it into a bedroom.
The following morning, breakfast is served in your compartment as you journey through the Swiss Alps. A three-course lunch is served in the beautiful restaurant cars and later, afternoon tea is served in your compartment as you travel. All the while you journey through Italy en route to Santa Lucia station in Venice.
It is most certainly a journey of a lifetime, but this kind of luxury travel doesn't come cheap. Expect to pay in the region of €2180 one way or €3160 return (2008) and €2230 one way and €3350 return (2009).
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