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!

1. In the station; 2. In the mountains; 3. Woman in cabin; 4. View through window; 5. Afternoon tea; 6. Dining car; 7. The lounge; 8. Floor plan.; 9. bedroom ; 10. Train bunk; 11. Luxury cabin