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The Iconic Journey – Istanbul to Paris aboard The Venice Simplon Orient Express.
Following the route of the original Orient Express and immortalised on the silver-screen in the film “Murder on The Orient Express” we’ve created an Iconic Trip from Istanbul to Paris.
This 8 night / 9 day holiday to Istanbul, which includes the journey on board the legendary Venice Simplon Orient Express train, has very limited availability – so please contact us now to secure your place or to register your interest for travel.
You will fly from London to Istanbul with British Airways, staying 3 nights with breakfast in a luxurious 4 or 5 star hotel in Istanbul, before you board the legendary Orient Express train for your 5 night journey to Paris, with 3 nights on the train and 2 nights in 5 star hotels in Bucharest and Budapest, ahead of your return from Paris to London on Eurostar.
This adventure, including economy-class flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Istanbul, 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe room at the top-rated Sultania Hotel (4 star) in Istanbul, an historic twin compartment on the Orient Express from Istanbul to Paris with overnight stays at 5 star hotels in Bucharest and Budapest, all meals from Istanbul to Paris (either on the train or at hotels/restaurants), sightseeing and transfers in Bucharest and Budapest, plus Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from Paris to London is from £17,995 per person, based on 2 people travelling together in August 2023 and sharing a twine compartment on the train.
Step back in time with this classic and iconic journey aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express.
Departing from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, you’ll travel through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany and France as you experience the romance and charm of four stunning cities; Istanbul, Bucharest, Budapest and Paris.
Your time aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express promises to be every bit as enchanting as the locations you’ll be visiting. From the moment you settle into your private cabin you will be greeted by a world of luxury, marked by stunning cuisine and peerless levels of service.
Your Orient Express holiday includes:
Your holiday begins as you take to the skies and fly from London to Istanbul with British Airways.
On arrival, make your way to the highly-rated Sultania Hotel (4 star) for a three-night stay.
Enjoy two full days to take in the many attractions of Istanbul, the Turkish metropolis which marks the meeting point of Europe and Asia, and actually sprawls across both continents.
Highlights of this fascinating city include the Blue Mosque (pictured), Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Check in at Istanbul’s Sirecki station and board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train.
Dinner is served in one of the luxurious restaurant cars.
Choose to enjoy a nightcap in the Bar Car, set to the sound of the resident pianist, before retiring to your cabin for the evening.
Delicious continental breakfast is served in your cabin as the train travels through Bulgaria and onwards into Romania.
After lunch on board, you will arrive in historic Bucharest. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city on the way to your hotel.
Dinner this evening will be at a private venue, after which you’ll return to the Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel for your overnight stay.
Rejoin the train for the short journey to the mountain town of Sinaia, enjoy a delicious three-course lunch en route.
Visit Peles Castle, the summer home of the former King Carol. Return to the station late afternoon as your journey continues towards Hungary.
A leisurely four-course dinner is served, prepared on board by skilled French chefs. Enjoy a liqueur with convivial company in the Bar Car before retiring for the night.
Continental breakfast is brought to you by your steward in the comfort of your private cabin before arrival in Budapest this morning.
Spend time enjoying a sightseeing tour of this city, split into two parts by the Danube river.
Later relax on a Danube cruise with lunch, before transferring to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Dinner will be taken at a private venue in the city.
Transfer to the station mid-morning to rejoin the train.
Lunch is served as the train makes its way to Lake Balaton in the Transdanubian region of Hungary, through vineyards and forests.
Later this afternoon, you are invited to disembark for an aperitif by the lake at sunset before re-joining the train for dinner and your final night on board.
Enjoy your final breakfast in your cabin while the train travels through Austria and Germany before entering France.
A delicious farewell lunch is prepared by your skilled chefs before all too soon the train arrives into Paris Gare de l’Est.
From here it is a short change to the Gare du Nord for your onward arrangements on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class to London and the end of your iconic Orient Express adventure.
Travel in a private compartment, attended by Cabin Stewards throughout your journey, where you are assured of attentive yet discreet service.
Each compartment has its own original washbasin cabinet with hot and cold water, and at night-time becomes a comfortable bedroom, complete with soft towels and crisp linen.
Your double compartment converts in moments from daytime seating to a comfortable bedroom. A private lounge during the day with a banquette sofa, footstool and small table, it is transformed to night configuration with an upper and lower bed.
A washbasin with hot and cold water is enclosed in a cabinet and towels and toiletries are provided.
You may wish to upgrade your twin/double cabin on board the Venice Simplon Orient Express to a suite.
Formed of two interconnecting double cabins, the suite offers additional comfort and extra space.
By day, guests can stretch out and relax with two lounges, and by night a choice of bed configurations are available depending on your preferences.
Why not make your journey of a lifetime on the world’s most famous train even more special, by travelling in one of just three exclusive Grand Suites?
Each luxurious suite is beautifully appointed with its own individual theme, and comes with its own private bathroom, double bed and spacious living area. Other additional touches are also included.
If you have a specific Venice Simplon-Orient Express question – why not review our Venice Simplon Orient Express FAQs here?
For information and booking:
Tel: 01347 825292 or email info@planetrail.co.uk
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