Enter a world of timeless glamour, where each carriage holds a new experience to be discovered.

I saw the Orient Express just a few weeks ago stopping at the train station in my Village, Erstfeld, URI,  I was waiving at the Travelers sitting by the window in their sleeping cabin, dressed in their shower robes!

In the 1970s, American James Sherwood, Belmond’s founder, bought several dilapidated carriages at an auction. By 1982, he had located — and restored to their former grandeur — enough original carriages to form the Venice Simplon-Orient Express that still operates today.

STEP ABOARD A LIVING LEGEND

When the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express embarked on its first voyage, a new era of travel was born. It was an iconic moment in time, inspiring artists, socialites, and actors alike.

Throughout the twentieth century, our train has held a distinguished role in the art of continental travel. With grand interiors and flowing champagne, we pioneered the most magnificent mode of transport to tour Europe and its finest cities.

The most popular Orient Express route starts in London and takes you through Paris to Verona or Venice. Still, you can also leave Venice with destinations of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest and back to Paris or London. Once a year, the train travels from London to Berlin and back.

How long does my journey take? Journeys on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train can last from one to several days. The traditional and most popular route between London and Venice takes two days, with one night on board.

This once-a-year, six-day luxury rail voyage from Paris to Istanbul or from Istanbul to Paris on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is a true ‘trip of a lifetime

Be wined and dined in meticulously restored 1920s dining cars, before raising sparkling toasts in iconic Bar Car 3674’. Between plush cabins and palpable history, an astonishing journey awaits.

;

Navigate through our opulent carriages and discover the wonders that await aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

The cost from Istanbul to London, The Guide price starts from £19,235 pp including a Flight from London to Istanbul (other UK departures available. Transfers in Istanbul.

The final leg is a grand finale for many travelers paying £3,785 for an overnight train journey from Venice to London. They arrive at Calais aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express. The antique carriages, up to 100 years old, are not allowed to go through the Channel Tunnel for safety reasons.

Luxury Train Tickets

https://www.luxurytraintickets.com/venice-simplon-orient-express-prices

Train Schedules

https://www.luxury-trains.co.uk

Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express

https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/venice-simplon-orient-express/

Orient Express-Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient_Express

Planning a trip to Europe, Italy, or Switzerland? Look here first!

His last project: “The Woodward” in Geneva.

We wanted to meet for dinner. Not in a star restaurant, Joël Robuchon had enough of that himself; It was 32 Michelin stars in a good year. A fondue evening was planned with a successful Swiss hotelier from Macau, in the Carnotzet of an always cheerful Valais winemaker. Topic: Robuchon’s first engagement in Switzerland. The “boss of the century” had to cancel the appointment due to illness. He died of cancer on August 6, 2018, in Geneva, his adopted home.  However, what Joël Robuchon was planning will open next spring after all: “The Woodward”, a magnificent palace right on the lake. With a «Atelier de Joël Robuchon», of course.

Robuchon was the first address in Paris. Exactly until his 50th birthday. Then he got out and devoted himself to projects that fascinated him more and burdens him less. His “studios”, for example, opened all over the world. The formula: black & red. No pomp and no arrogance. Signature dishes, are straightforward and served quite cheaply in most countries. Preferably at the bar, with a clear view of the kitchen and its pots. My favorite “atelier” is “L’Atelier Joël Robuchon Etoile” in Paris, under the Champs-Elysée, difficult to find in the windowless basement of a drug store.

Joël Robuchon, like his friend Frédy Girardet (Swiss), was an incredibly good, incredibly product-obsessed, and incredibly strict boss. But he was also a pioneer and trendsetter. Traveling to all continents and often to Japan had shown him that there are alternatives to the classic French “fine dining” temples. “A restaurant is not a church,” he used to say, pleading for a lot of happiness at the table. Robuchon was right: “Fine dining” has to be fun, otherwise the guests stay away. (Almost) everyone has understood that by now.

Read what is being created in Geneva here: an elegant luxury hotel, a “masterpiece”, managed by the excellently working “Oetker Collection”. With two restaurants that bear Robuchon’s signature (“L’Atelier”, “Le Jardinier”). It is sad that the great master can no longer experience how lovingly his last dream is implemented.

by Urs Heller

Editor-in-chief GaultMillau, Switzerland

Waiting over pain au chocolat in a walkway bistro, chilling after a romantic day of roaming around the Seine and wondering about symbols like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the ultimate Paris experience needs both leisure and liveliness and enough time to feel some of the world’s most exquisite and artistic cuisine. Paris is like a capital of the art of cookery some of the best food and haute cuisine can be enjoyed in everyone’s budget from a humble boulangerie or café.

So, here are some foods that you must try before leaving the World’s most romantic city.

Baguette

Paris is the home of the best quality artisanal baguettes, even a prestigious competition is held every to select ‘Meilleure Baguette de Paris’ (Best Baguette of Paris). So, Don’t miss the warmed crusty tip and nibble in your romantic walk.

Steak-Frites

The heart of the bistro dish, this basic matching of grilled steak with various sauces and chips is one of the most delicious and classic cuisines. With carefully matured meat and potatoes, this classic French dish can make you happy anytime.

Jambon-Beurre

Like all others, sometimes Parisians also need to eat on the go. Jambon-Beurre is a delicious Parisian sandwich which you can buy from corner bakeries or any café counter. It comes with a fresh half-baguette coated with creamy delicious butter and seasoned with ‘jambon de Paris’, a juicy grilled ham.

Croissant

In Paris, every bakery can make your morning divine with an amazing Croissant. You will be spellbound by its magical creamy buttery smell. There is a little debate in Paris to figure out who makes the best croissant.  Pierre Hermé, Triomphe, L. Duchêne, Mulot, Lenôtre, Boulangerie de Monge, and Delmonte. Pierre Hermé and Mulot are some bakeries making the best croissants for a long time.

Paris-Brest

We all know Paris is known for its lovely pastry shops, Paris-Brest is the best seller in those pastry shops. Named after an old bicycle race in Paris, this wheel-shaped pastry crust is garnished with praline buttercream and sprinkled with caramelized almonds is like a dream come true to every sweet lover.

Macarons

Today we all love Macarons but Paris is the birthplace of this delicate pastry. In Paris, the delight pastry comes with two almond meringue shells sandwiched with warm buttercream. Available in all flavors and colors this delicious pastry will satisfy your taste.

Street-Stand Crêpes

Paris as a food capital it has some of its own street foods like crêpes. While walking around Paris crêpes can be the best afternoon snack for you. This true native Parisian street food is loved by all for its yummy taste but makes sure that your crêpes are well cocked spotlessly clean. You can also enjoy this Street-stand crêpes with various stuffings but the traditional beurre-sucre (butter and sugar) is the most popular stuffing.

The Eiffel Tower