Travel and Vacations

Orient Express Origins

Story Published on April 16, 2009 ⋅  Email this Story ⋅  Print this Story ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

More commonly known as just the Orient Express, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a luxurious train which most of us know best through movies and books, especially mystery and suspense novels by Graham Greene and Agatha Christie. These and other works have given the Orient Express a prominent place in our imagination and although most of these images are from a bygone era, the Orient Express remains a luxurious means of European travel.

The idea of luxury train travel has been with us for some time, with George Pullman creating trains with amenities and luxuries for travel in the UK and Georges Nagelmackers in Europe. By the mid 19th century, luxury travel by rail was available for affluent travelers with parlors for lounging and comfortable sleeping accommodation.

The first run of the Orient Express would travel from Paris to Giurgi, in Romania, with stops in Strasbourg, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest. Even at that early date, the train had an impressive reputation for taking Western European travelers to exotic places, and by the turn of the century, the route was extended to Istanbul through the use of the Simplon Tunnel.

The twenties and thirties saw the reputation of this luxury train come into full flower, but the advent of World War II put a halt to it, and due to economy constraints and the advent of air travel, the train made its final run in 1977.

The train received a new lease on life when two of the carriages were bought at a Sotheby’s auction, and over the next few years, 16 million US dollars were spent restoring and purchasing the 35 cars that made up this legendary train.

A trip on the Orient Express is an unforgettable experience; you can travel to all of the European cities, which were part of the route from Strasbourg to Vienna, it’s a one of a kind way to see Europe. While the cities have changed since the old days of this historic route, the train itself provides an experience, which is like stepping back in time.

When you board the train, you will make the acquaintance of your personal steward, who will show you to your compartment and direct you to your appointed compartment. You will enjoy meals that have been prepared by skilled French chefs using ingredients that have been picked up fresh at each stop, and you’ll be able to enjoy your dining experience in one of three dining cars that give you an unrivaled and impressive sense of atmosphere.

You’ll be able to select a single compartment, a double compartment or even combine two cabins into your own cabin suite complete with private lounge, sleeping compartment and sofa!

Now that the Orient Express is back in operation, you can finally stop dreaming of riding this piece of living history and experience it for yourself. Riding the Orient Express is a one of a kind way to travel Europe and take in the sights of its most beautiful cities. It’s not every trip which allows you to visit the Notre Dame in Paris and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque; along with every sight in between!

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