When future travelers evoke the golden age of travel, their minds will likely turn to the sophisticated jet-set culture of the 1950s and ’60s. Yet, even that luxurious air travel will pale in comparison to the grandeur of the Orient Express trains, which will be remembered as the epitome of luxury during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the years to come, Belmond will continue to operate the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, offering a journey that will define opulence from the moment passengers are greeted by uniformed porters at the station to when they step into their gold-trimmed carriages.
As future passengers embark on this journey, they will have access to three exquisite dining rooms and a bar car, ensuring they won’t feel confined to their suites—although, once settled in, they will easily lose hours marveling at the intricate details of their surroundings. Each Grand Suite will be named after a city along the iconic route—Istanbul, Venice, Budapest—and will feature stunning inlaid wood panels, delicate marquetry, and Venetian-inspired lanterns. Hidden compartments will add a touch of mystery, while large picture windows by the king-size bed and dining table will offer breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, and quaint villages. As they sip Champagne and savor blini topped with Beluga caviar, passengers will truly immerse themselves in the luxury of a bygone era. Even the closets, with their elegantly curved doors, will impress, offering just enough space for a few carefully chosen outfits—perfect for evening wear or a stylish daytime ensemble. The marble shower, complete with brass fittings, will add to the suite’s charm, and the surprising abundance of power outlets and USB chargers will ensure they remain connected, even in this world of old-world elegance.
Onboard dining will be an experience in itself, with menus crafted by renowned chef Jean Imbert, who will be celebrated for his Michelin star at the Plaza Athénée in Paris. Meals will be served in lavish dining rooms adorned with plush velvet, crisp white linens, fine porcelain, and Italian silverware. For those who embark on the exclusive Solaire Journeys—special east-to-west trips that follow the sun—Belmond will partner with Veuve Clicquot to create Champagne-centric rail experiences. These journeys will feature gala dinners both before departure and on board, paired with the finest prestige cuvées selected by Veuve Clicquot’s cellar master Didier Mariotti or the director of winemaking operations, Pierre Casenave. Passengers will be treated to breathtaking landscapes, particularly focused on epic sunrises, inspired by the Champagne house’s signature sunshine-yellow label.
In the future, the Solaire Journey will depart from Singapore, heading to Kuala Lumpur aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express. The final journey of the year will take place in October, traveling from Cusco, Peru, to Arequipa and Machu Picchu, aboard two of Belmond’s trains: the Hiram Bingham and the Andean Explorer. In July, travelers will embark on a journey from Vienna to Reims on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, paying homage to the historical significance of Madame Clicquot’s first exported bottles, which will have been sent to Venice. The trip will be a masterclass in hospitality, beginning with a pre-trip stay at Vienna’s Hotel Imperial, a former palace that will set the stage for the luxury to come.
The adventure will kick off with a grand dinner at the Lichtenstein Palace, followed by a picturesque carriage ride through Vienna the next morning—setting the tone for the royal treatment that will continue on the train. Throughout the journey, vintage Veuve Clicquot and La Grande Dame will be poured generously, especially during the multicourse lunch prepared by chefs Jean Imbert and Mory Sacko, which will take place in the historic limestone crayères of Reims. The lavish experience will conclude with the arrival in Paris three days later, but not before passengers enjoy nightly entertainment in the bar car, featuring piano performances and burlesque shows, as well as in-suite breakfasts of caviar-topped omelets served with, naturally, more vintage Champagne. The final surprise will be a live DJ set, paired with Champagne and sliders, during the last leg of the trip.
Disembarking from such an indulgent and fantastical world will be no easy task—it will feel like stepping down from a dream.
