Friday, December 16, 2011

Fantasy Travel Friday - The Orient Express


When I hear the words "Orient Express", I think of elegance and Agatha Christie. How can you not? When I decided to write this Fantasy Travel Friday post, I was shocked that the Orient Express train still existed. When I think of the hey day of train travel, I think of the early to mid-20th century, and the fact that people slept and ate sumptuous meals in the comfort of a train. I take the train at least three to four times per year here in the Northeast U.S., but it pales in comparison to the luxury of the Orient Express (and it's only for four hour rides).

Train travel is still a major part of travel in Europe, but I think the Orient Express (now called the Venice Simplon Orient Express) goes beyond getting you from Point A to Point B via the rails. I'm adding this to my "Wow! This pretty expensive, and I need to win the lottery list" of travel dreams.

The Orient Express has a variety of routes, but I would choose the Paris to Istanbul route leaving from Gare de l'Est and arriving at Sirkeci Station a week later with stops in Budapest and Bucharest.



I know that I'd be staring out of the window a lot like this woman.


Catching views like this....

A lazy afternoon of staring deserves some afternoon tea to go along with it.

Knowing me, even with all of the pretty scenery, I would go exploring through the train to discover as many of the public and private spaces as I could.

One of my first stops would have to be the dining car, of course.


In the early evening, I suspect people sip cocktails here in the lounge.

I will say that the Orient Express knows how to use space well. Each cabin has both a daytime and nighttime configuration. Your personal steward changes the room over while you are "out" for the evening.


I would love to lie in bed watching the world go by.

Maybe a bunk wouldn't be so bad (I don't see Husband J going for this)?

Do you think I could get Husband J to agree to splurge on a luxury cabin?

I can't think of a more fun way to see Europe.

Have you ever been on an overnight sleeping train? What has been your most memorable train trip?


Happy Weekend!



7 comments:

Geek in Heels said...

I have always wanted to go on the Orient Express too! (It also doesn't hurt that I prefer train travel to air.) Everything about it seems so posh and old-school glam — it's no wonder it costs so much. :-(

Daphne said...

I agree with Geek in Heels. Alas, I've never been on an overnight sleeping train.

Train travel in the US is almost nonexistent, save for the Northeast and maybe the Pacific Northwest. If we had a more extensive system, I'd definitely prefer to travel by train than plane.

Erin said...

I've checked out this itinerary before. Ah, looks so amazing. I actually know someone who did this with his wife. They're an older couple who are among my travel role models. They're in their 70s but still travel a lot. I should add that they are rather well-off, so that helps ;)

Try Anything Once Terri said...

@ Geek In Heels & Daphne - I wish we would actually invest in infrastructure here in the good 'ol U.S.A. and make train travel a viable option. Plus, if it could be this plush, why not, right?

@Erin - Yes, I am putting this in my back pocket for later in life. Husband J is on notice. :)

Ashley said...

I have been on an overnight train, but it wasn't this pretty!! :) I REALLY wanna ride this!

Ashley said...

BTW, I see that you've been to Turkey and that makes me mighty happy :)

Try Anything Once Terri said...

@Ashley - LOL! Yes, that's right. I've got LOTS of Turkey posts, so please take a look.

 

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