Explore Europe in style aboard the Belmond Express

Luke Abrahams
·2-min read
Photo credit: David Noton
Photo credit: David Noton

From Town & Country

Long train journeys are the epitome of old-school glamour, and after being cooped up indoors for months on end there will be no better way to get out and explore the world again. And, right on cue, the luxury travel brand Belmond has just announced new Grand Tour routes across Europe on board the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train.

The new journeys will take you to some of the continent’s classic spots, including Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, in the train’s elegant art deco carriages. Travellers can now also join from new boarding points too, from the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome to the Renaissance city of Florence, lakeside Geneva, Brussels and the Dutch capital, Amsterdam.

Photo credit: Richard James Taylor
Photo credit: Richard James Taylor

The 2021 season also sees the addition of three Grand Suites. Named after the cities that have inspired the design – Vienna, Budapest and Prague – the opulent guestrooms can be found in the train’s oldest carriage (built in 1926), and each has its own character.

Guests will also get to stay at some of Belmond’s greatest hotels along the route, including at the former monastery Belmond Villa San Michele, with mesmerising views over Florence, and at Castello di Casole hidden in between the vineyards of the rolling Tuscan countryside.

Gary Franklin, the vice president of Trains and Cruises explains: “During 2020, while the train was unable to operate, we identified some exciting new destinations and routes, offering an increased number of ways to see Europe whether for a long weekend or as part of an extended European tour and reflecting the storied history of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.”

For more information and to book, visit www.belmond.com, or ring 020 3117 1300.

Photo credit: belmond
Photo credit: belmond

Belmond’s European Grand Tour dates are as follows:

26 May and 14 July 2021

VENICE – ROME – FLORENCE – PARIS *Guests can board the train in Venice, Rome and Florence, but not disembark.

27 May and 15 July 2021

PARIS – GENEVA – INNSBRUCK – VENICE *Guests can board the train in Paris and Geneva, but not disembark.

21 June 2021

VENICE – PARIS – BRUSSELS – AMSTERDAM *Guests can disembark in Paris and Brussels, but not embark.

24 June 2021

AMSTERDAM – BRUSSELS – PARIS – VENICE * Guests can embark in Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, but not disembark.

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