About Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train
The original icon of the rails, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe has been at the forefront of luxury railway travel for nearly half a century, since its first journey in May 1982.
The history of this legendary train began in 1977, when Belmond’s founder, James B. Sherwood, bought two original Art Deco sleeping cars at a Sotheby’s auction in Monte Carlo with the ambition to bring back to life the ‘golden age of travel’ with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train. An enduring symbol of luxury, today the train operates between March and December.
It features 16 painstakingly restored 1920s and 1930s carriages, inviting guests to surrender to the journey as it criss-crosses Europe’s most dramatic landscapes and uncovers some of the world’s most fabled cities, such as Vienna, Rome, Florence, Paris, Venice and Istanbul.
On board, guests can choose between three different accommodation categories – characterful Historic Cabins; lavish newly launched Suites; and opulent Grand Suites; indulge in refined dining by Michelin-starred French Chef Jean Imbert in the colourful restaurant carriages and enjoy an evening of late-night revelry with live performances and handcrafted cocktails in the famous Bar Car ‘3674’.
About Belmond
Belmond was born from a passion for connecting discerning travellers with the world’s most remarkable properties, locations and journeys.
From hotels and trains to river cruises and safaris, Belmond curates incomparable experiences and crafts unforgettable stories. With a legacy spanning over 45 years, since the acquisition of Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has grown into a global collection of 47 properties spread across 28 countries and territories.
Exceptional destinations connected by legendary journeys are the very soul of Belmond, where the path that brings you to a place is as important as the destination itself. As a pioneer of slow travel, Belmond has been operating the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express since 1982.
The group later expanded to include pristine beach resorts, such as Maroma on the Riviera Maya, historic hideaways such as Villa San Michele in the Florentine foothills, urbane icons, such as Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, and gateways to UNESCO world heritage sites, such as Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil’s Iguassu National Park. As proud custodians of storied properties, Belmond is committed to building on the past to create a new legacy: the heritage of the future.
Working with communities and local talents, together with the world’s most respected chefs, designers and artists, Belmond continues its purpose of perpetuating the legendary art of travel. Since 2019, Belmond has been part of the world’s leading luxury group, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton).
