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If there’s one rail journey luxury travellers dream of making, then surely it’s the classic passage from Turkey to Italy onboard the most prestigious locomotive in the world. Departing from the cultural melting pot of Istanbul, en route to Venice you will call at Romania’s beautiful capital, see the faded grandeur of Budapest and finally arrive at the iconic city on the lagoon, where you will be free to explore this majestic townscape at your own leisure. A true pan-European odyssey.
Check in at Istanbul’s Sirecki train station, where the steward will be ready to escort you to your cabin onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express. Enjoy spectacular views over the Sea of Marmara as you make your way from one of the most fascinating cities on the planet. Next head to the Restaurant Car for a sumptuous four course meal prepared by our highly trained French chefs before either retiring to your cabin, which has been transformed into a cosy cabin, or heading to the Bar Car for indulgent late night drinks.
Wake at your leisure to enjoy a continental breakfast served in the room at a time to suit you, to be enjoyed as you pass through the stunning landscape of Bulgaria and onwards into Romania. Next, it’s time for a splendid three course lunch on board before the Venice Simplon-Orient Express reaches its next destination, the Romanian capital of Bucharest, where you will enjoy an afternoon tour followed by dinner and overnight stay at the Athenee Palace Hilton Hotel.
After breakfast in the hotel, rejoin the Venice Simplon-Orient Express at Bucharest train station to make the short journey to the picturesque mountain town of Sinaia. Once there, lunch will be served in a traditional local restaurant, before you have the chance to visit the historic Peles Castle, summer home of King Carol. Next, return to the station for your journey to Hungary, with an overnight stay on board, another splendid four course meal and, if you so wish, more elegant drinks in the Bar Car.
After waking to a breakfast on the move, served in your cabin at a time to suit you, step off the train in the centre of Budapest, one of Europe’s grandest cities, to take in the sights and landmarks on a tour of the town, before indulging in a delicious lunch and then transferring to the Sofitel Hotel for an overnight stay with dinner.
Enjoy breakfast in your hotel before rejoining the train at Budapest station. Lunch will be served as you cross the border to Austria for a late-afternoon arrival in wonderful Vienna, with free time to relish in the majesty of this incredible capital. After you have wandered the historic streets, head back to the station for a four course dinner onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, then enjoy the final night in transit either relaxing in your room or partaking in pre-bedtime drinks in the luxurious bar.
Wake to a final breakfast onboard, served in your cabin at a time of your choosing, whilst watching Venice approach in the distance. Crossing the lagoon, you will arrive at Santa Lucia station mid-morning, leaving you free to enjoy one of Italy’s crowning glories.
