Belmond announces new routes and suites on Orient-Express

When it comes to luxury travel experiences, Belmond’s iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which inspired Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel Murder on the Orient Express, is definitely one for the bucket list. And the luxury brand has just announced some sensational new Venice Simplon-Orient-Express routes taking in Rome, Florence, Geneva, Amsterdam and Paris for the 2021 season.

On board the train’s 17 restored Art Deco carriages, guests will be whisked along one-night journeys from Florence and Rome, passing the Italian lakes and Swiss mountains, before arriving in Paris.

They can also wind through the Brenner Pass as the train crosses from Geneva to Venice or take off on a grand tour of three European Capital cities – Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam – during a Venice-to-Amsterdam itinerary.  

Some packages offer stays on the train, combined with options for passengers to stay overnight at Belmond sister properties – Belmond Villa San Michele in Florence and the Tuscan countryside retreat Belmond Castello di Casole.

The total trip includes a night in each hotel, plus one night onboard the train. For an extended stay, a six-night offer, including one night onboard and five nights at Belmond Castello di Casole or Belmond Villa San Michele, is also available.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will also debut three new Grand Suites this season, bringing the total to six.

Sitting in the train’s oldest carriage, built in 1926, the new suites – Vienna, Prague and Budapest – channel The Roaring Twenties in their design. The cabins reflect the spirit of each city that the suites are named after while staying true to the original Art Deco design.

Each will each have private bathrooms with showers, double beds and a living area with underfloor heating. Additional amenities include a personal 24-hour cabin steward, free-flowing champagne, in-suite dining and private transfers to and from the train.