Art at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna
Vienna is a delightfully graceful and elegant city with
Embark on the most iconic rail journey in the world from Paris to Istanbul in unmatched luxury.
Step aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for an extraordinary six-day voyage from Paris to Istanbul. This legendary journey crosses Europe in timeless style, with stops in cities rich in culture, history, and charm. From elegant dinners in restored 1920s dining cars to relaxing in your art deco cabin, every moment is steeped in glamour and detail. Limited to just a few departures each year, this is a rare opportunity to relive the golden age of travel on one of the world’s most celebrated trains.
Step aboard the iconic blue-and-gold Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l’Est and unwind as your journey to Istanbul begins. Settle into your elegant cabin and embrace a slower pace. Savour a nourishing, chef-prepared dinner in a serene dining car, accompanied by calming piano melodies.
Later, enjoy mindful conversation or quiet reflection in Bar Car ‘3674’ before retreating to your cabin, transformed into a peaceful sanctuary as the train glides through France and Germany overnight.
Awaken to a peaceful French breakfast served in your cabin, with serene views of Austria unfolding outside your window. As the train glides into Hungary, enjoy a light three-course lunch before arriving in Budapest, where local guides escort you to your hotel. This evening, unwind with a mindful cocktail reception and nourishing dinner on the tranquil River Danube.
Begin your day with a gentle exploration of Budapest’s historic sights, followed by a wholesome lunch of Hungarian specialities. Visit the elegant Parliament Building for a guided tour steeped in calm reflection. Re-board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and unwind with a nourishing dinner as the train drifts into Romania. End the evening with a quiet moment and a classic cocktail in the soothing ambience of the Bar Car.
Enjoy a calming French breakfast in your cabin as the train enters Romania. After a light brunch, travel to Sinaia for a serene visit to Peles Castle, a peaceful retreat once favoured by royalty. Wear comfortable shoes and a warm layer for your gentle exploration. Rejoin the train and journey on to Bucharest, where local guides accompany you to your hotel. In the evening, unwind with a soothing dinner and live music in an intimate setting.
Settle in for the final leg of your journey to Istanbul, soaking in peaceful views as the train crosses the Danube into Bulgaria. Enjoy a light lunch, then pause for a tranquil aperitif at a private estate in Varna by the Black Sea. Back on board, savour a mindful farewell dinner as the train glides across the Thracian Plain. End the evening with gentle music, a glass of something special, and relaxed conversation in the Bar Car.
Begin your final morning with a peaceful French breakfast in your cabin as the train enters Turkey. While customs are completed at Kapikule, take time to unwind in your suite or browse the elegant onboard boutique. Enjoy a light lunch featuring refined Turkish flavours before arriving in Istanbul, where a shared transfer takes you calmly to your city centre hotel.
Take in Europe from the romantic setting it deserves with your own private historic twin cabin. Banquette seating offers the perfect vantage point to watch the landscape by day, while convertible sleeping berths – with soft, luxurious bedding – transform the cabin into an intimate retreat by night. Morning breakfast can even be served to your bed, should you desire.
Each of our suites is inspired by a fusion of the landscape our train travels through and design from the Art Deco period.
Each will immerse guests in diverse European scenery through glorious colours, patterns and textures. Plush fabrics and furnishings channel famed Art Deco designers, such as Dufrene and Lalique.
Encounter the decadent world of Grand Suites – where handcrafted interiors and free-flowing champagne are simply a way of life – and be swept away in an indulgence known only to the royalty of travel’s golden age.
Le Meurice in Paris offers a serene wellness retreat with La Maison Valmont pour Le Meurice, the city’s only Valmont spa. Signature treatments like the Grand Hydrafacial and Primary Veil nourish and protect skin, while four tranquil treatment rooms, a hammam, sauna, and terrace enhance relaxation.
A Technogym-equipped fitness studio supports your routine, and its location on Rue de Rivoli, overlooking the Tuileries Garden, makes Le Meurice a luxurious haven of calm and well-being in the heart of Paris.
The Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul offers a refined wellness escape, blending Ottoman heritage with modern luxury at the redesigned Sanitas Spa & Wellness centre. Highlights include a traditional Turkish hammam, VIP baths, massage rooms, fitness centre, sauna, and indoor and outdoor pools overlooking the Bosphorus. Signature experiences like the Sultan’s Bath Ritual and targeted massages restore balance, while advanced skincare treatments such as Aquapeel and I Beauty Purity revitalise the skin. Set within a historic palace, this is a serene sanctuary in the heart of Istanbul.
Vienna is a delightfully graceful and elegant city with
