A Brief History of the Orient Express
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, more commonly known as the Orient Express, is something that conjures up visions of mystery and intrigue. It has been the subject of many books, and many movies and novels have taken their settings from this luxurious train. It has a powerful grasp on the imagination, and in many ways, it is still the epitome of luxury travel.
The tradition of luxury train travel goes back to the mid-1800s, with George Mortimer Pullman creating a train that was the first of its kind in providing riders with every convenience and luxury of the nineteenth century. Ten years later, the first train cars with sleeping space and parlour space were available. It was around this time that Georges Nagelmackers started to create luxury trains that were intended for continental travel.
The Orient Express first run was from Paris to Giurgiu, Romania, stopping in Strasbourg, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest along the way. The train quickly acquired a reputation as a luxurious means of reaching the then-exotic (for travellers from Western Europe) destinations of Hungary and Romania. By 1900, the Orient Express was running an extended route travelling all the way to Istanbul via the Simplon Tunnel.
The early decades of the 20th Century were good ones for this luxury train; but the beginning of WWII shut down the Orient Express for a time. Following the war, the Orient Express resumed operation but with air travel becoming increasingly common, its days were numbered and the Orient Express made its final Paris to Istanbul run in 1977.
However, the Orient Express is now back in operation. Two of the train?s carriages were purchased at an auction at Sotheby?s and 16 million dollars of restoration and further investment in buying the remaining 35 cars of the train later, the Orient Express is in business again.
It runs today and taking a trip in this historic train is for many one of the most romantic and historic trips that they will ever take. You can enjoy a truly international experience as you take the train to all of the cities that the train once travelled to. While the cities have changed, the loving recreation of the train allows you to step back in time.
When you board the train, you will make the acquaintance of your personal steward, who will show you to your compartment and direct you to your appointed compartment. You will enjoy meals that have been prepared by skilled French chefs using ingredients that have been picked up fresh at each stop, and you’ll be able to enjoy your dining experience in one of three dining cars that give you an unrivalled and impressive sense of atmosphere.
You?ll be able to select a single compartment, a double compartment or even combine two cabins into your own cabin suite complete with private lounge, sleeping compartment and sofa!
Now that the Orient Express is back in operation, you can finally stop dreaming of riding this piece of living history and experience it for yourself. Riding the Orient Express is a one of a kind way to travel Europe and take in the sights of its most beautiful cities. It?s not every trip which allows you to visit the Notre Dame in Paris and Istanbul?s Blue Mosque; along with every sight in between!
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