VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT EXPRESS
It is hard no know where to start when introducing the trip that you had always dreamed of but you never dreamt would actually materialise.
The historic, unique, exceptional and incredibly indulgent ORIENT EXPRESS..
PARIS - VENICE
This smile sums up just what this trip meant to my husband & I.
An actual dream come true..
Through my husband’s work with Belmond (he is a Belmond chef) he was able to surprise me for my 40th and take me aboard the amazing ORIENT EXPRESS.
It was all that we hoped that it might be, and more!
To cut a long introduction short, my husband surprised me with a trip on the Orient Express for my 40th Birthday.
We jumped onto the train to Paris and our adventure started..
We were met on Platform 14 at Gare d’Austerlitz by the very welcoming staff of the Semplon-Orient Express and the moment you were greeted you knew that this was going to be a once in a lifetime experience.
No request was too much, no question too silly. No photo request was sneered or scoffed at and every guests individual excitement was encouraged and embraced.
There were photos at the carriage entrance, snaps with your steward and of course all done with a crystal champagne glass in hand, discretely but continuously topped up with free flowing Veuve-Cliquot. HEAVEN!
Once all the passengers had arrived, we set off for a 15.10 departure.
Guests were encouraged to explore the different carriages if they wished or to sit in their cabins and indulge in more champagne and exquisite nibbles. Again, nothing was too much trouble for the delightful staff on board.
Our steward Jonathan made us feel like we were the most important and appreciated passengers on board, as I am sure that he did to everyone of the passengers in his carriage.
Lukasz & I felt like kids at Christmas, we were desperate not to miss a moment or any detail. Trying to soak in all the incredible details, from the impeccably polished brass in our historic carriage to the very snazzy toiletries that we of course immediately packed away into our carry ons to take home to our kids as souvenirs!
After polishing off our nibbles we headed to the bar carriage. Again we were served with a smile but a beautifully dressed waiter, who handed us an extensive drinks list and a lovely selection of nibbles. We opted for an old fashioned and a classic Italian spritz. Looking around in wonder, excited for what was to come..
No detail was not considered and the service was one of the most outstanding details of the trip.
Over the intercom we soon heard that an evening aperitif would be served in our cabins. Not wanting to miss a thing, we quickly finished our drinks and dashed back to our cabin to a selection of sweet treats and a cup of coffee. Much needed at this point as we had been living off alcohol and adrenaline!
We sat back in our cabin and attempted to relax into a book. I read about 2 pages as I was still buzzing!
Soon Jonathan appeared, popping his head round the corner and asking if we might fancy a Gin & Tonic as our cabin neighbours had just ordered one..rude not to we thought!
So Gin & Tonic it was and then a little tour of the train before we started to get ready for dinner.
The dining experience onboard the Orient was absolutely magical. The atmosphere of old school glamour, you are told to dress ‘fabulously’ and gentle informed that if you cannot meet that standard them you will be asked to dine in your cabin!
The attention to details and quality of the service was unmatched. We enjoyed a drink in the bar prior to our meal and whilst we sat amongst the glitz and glamour, we enjoyed live music and the buzz of excited passengers.
The meal was stunning, perfectly cooked ravioli, pink duck breast and when I gently inquired as to whether their might be an alternative to the tiramisu (the one dish I cannot enjoy as it made me sick once and it still haunts me), I was immediately assured that chef would Crete an alternative for me, ‘‘would fresh raspberry & chocolate tart suit me?"… most definitely!
Paired with more champagne of course, a glass of chablis and then followed by a bottle of Chateau Laroque. We ended with an espresso and then back to the bar cart for Genepi & more live music..what a night!
A very happy chef..
When we returned to our cabin, it had been made up for our night ahead. Our sofa had been transported into a luxurious and beautifully adorned bunk bed. The sheets of the highest quality and on top of the turned down sheet lay a pack of cards. I had mentioned to Lukasz in the bar cart earlier that I wish that we had brought some cards..someone had clearly heard and made sure to provide us with some! Amazing!
We asked Jonathan for a pot of tea and we settled into our bunk beds for the night. Excited to wake up and see the views of Austrian mountains as we soared through the stunning scenery.
We awoke like kids at Christmas, expectantly looking for traces of Father Christmas. We peaked out of the blinds and were met with the most wonderful views. Feeling quite extraordinary, being that we were lying horizontal whilst this train raced through the mountains, headed for Venice. A feeling unlike any that I had felt before..
We had chosen our breakfast tray prior to bed time and were excited for a hot coffee and a refreshing juice. Alongside fresh pastries and cereals.
The day ahead was one for a slow pace, sitting back and enjoying the views and looking forward to another fabulous meal prior to our arrival in Venice.
After breakfast we were visited by the fabulous Massimo, Guest relationship Manager on the train, who asked us if we would like a tour of the train. He generously took us into one of the stunning suits and explained a wealth of the history and details found in each and every carriage.
Lukasz was then asked by Chef if he would like a tour of the kitchen so he nipped off and chatted to the other chefs for a while, while I returned to the bar carriage with my book and settled in with a Bloody Mary.
The relaxed glamour of the bar carriage.
At lunchtime we headed to the dining carriage for our lunch. I was thrilled to find out that they had placed us in the L’Etoile Du Nord carriage, my favourite carriage. Adorned with green and emerald blue. The cut crystal sparkling in the sunlight which was streaming through the windows.
The tables were dressed incredibly. Only fine china, crystal and solid silver will do. French linen table clothes and napkins lay across the tables and of course champagne was flowing.
We asked if we might have a different champagne for lunch and of course it was not a problem. We enjoyed a bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose with 2 friends who joined us from the next door cabin to us and sat back excited for another fabulous meal.
The meal started with fresh bread and homemade butters. The starter was a beautifully succulent and well balanced Venetian Villeto, capers & parmesan. Perfect light and well flavoured.
The main course Les St. Jacques roasted, collected fresh from the Paris markets the day prior. Then finishing with apple & Piedmont hazelnut choux pastry.
The most wonderful meal, enjoyed whilst the sun streamed through the windows and the mountains soured past us, or atleast that’s how it felt!
After lunch, we headed back to our cabin to rest and relax, by this point, after this much indulgence and service we were very much feeling relaxed.
We sat back and enjoyed the view. One last beer in the bar carriage and chat to the wonderful staff, before we pulled into Venice to explore the city for 3 days!
This experience was exceptional, it was once in a lifetime and the memories shall life with me forever. I felt so fortunate to have been able to experience this incredible train journey and as much as I love the food (it was incredible) and loved the train (it was spectacular) it was in large part the staff who really made this experience a truly memorable one for us.
We were treated like royalty, everyone that we came across seemed genuinely thrilled for our opportunity to experience this wonder. We met some wonderful people and we couldn’t be more grateful for the generous nature of the Belmond staff and their desire to really make this a time to remember forever.
What a time, what a joy!