When you think of luxury, mystery, and intrigue there is only one form of travel that comes to mind, a journey on The Orient Express. Winding its way through majestic mountains and along beautiful mountain streams the traveler is treated to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Catering to Kings and Queens as well as Hollywood’s royalty, The Orient Express embodies all that is glamorous and sophisticated, but it wasn’t always that way.

            The inaugural run of the famed Orient Express was on October 4, 1883. The Original route started in Paris and progressed through Munich and Vienne to its final stop in Giurgiu, Romania. The passengers then ferried across the Danube to Rousse, Bulgaria where they boarded another train to Varna and from there they ferried to Istanbul. The route changed many times over the ensuing years, but most people remember the Paris to Istanbul route.
            Service was suspended during World War I but resumed in 1918 at the end of the war. The 1930’s saw a rise in rail travel and the Orient Express now ran three routes: The Orient Express, The Simplon Orient Express, and The Arlberg Orient Express. Up to this point The Orient Express was more or less ordinary in its service and accommodations. It was in the 1930’s that the train acquired its reputation for luxury. Royalty, nobility and not a few of Hollywood’s great frequented the train. Its reputation for mystery and intrigue came at the pen of Agatha Christie famous for her many mystery stories not the least of which was “The Murder on The Orient Express”.
            Service was suspended a second time at the start of World War II. Limited service resumed at the end of the war, but service to Greece was impossible because of the closing of the boarder between Yugoslavia and Greece. As communism moved across central Europe train travel through the traditional routes for The Orient Express became impossible. The service aboard The Orient Express suffered and by 1962 only the Simplon Orient Express line remained. In 1971 the Wagon-Lits company, owner of The Orient Express, sold or leased its rail cars to other companies.

            The Orient Express remained but a shadow of its old glory days until in 1977 James Sherwood bought two of the original carriages at auction following the termination of The Orient Express service. He spent a whopping $16, 000,000 acquiring another 35 of the original sleeper, Pullman, and restaurant carriages. The Venice-Simplon Orient Express was born. On May 25, 1982 the first run was made from London to Venice.
            Today the Venice-Simplon Orient Express Company embraces the quality, luxury, and history that one thinks of when one remembers the Orient Express at its best. Most of the carriages date from the 1920’s and 1930’s and have been carefully restored to their original form. Special care is given to every detail and the service is impeccable. The price is high, the journey is leisurely, and it is a wonderful way to spend a honeymoon!

            For more information on The Orient Express and vacation packages please see:  Venice-Simplon Orient Express Company