Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Cities

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express destinations

There are various routes covered by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.This article is an introduction to the capital cities that are visited by the Venice Simplon-Oreint-Express train - London, Paris, Venice, Budapest, Prague, Istanbul and Berlin.

History of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury train

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express remains the journey of a lifetime. Its rich heritage, stunning interiors and world-class food have enamoured the world over and its journeys can't fail to capture the imagination. The original Orient Express ran between Paris to Istanbul, but it is now possible to experience over 20 routes throughout Europe each year.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train is a work of art in itself. Romance, adventure and the mystery of the past are all intimately bound up in journeys that visit some of the most alluring continental cites. Few trains still exist from a more gracious, elegant age of travel. Connecting western and eastern Europe since 1982, the luxury train has resisted modernisation which means that passengers could be forgiven for thinking that they have been taken back to the 1920’s or 1930’s.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Cities to explore

Full details of the itinerary of the Vencie Simplon-Orient-Express trips are her.

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Capital City - London (England)

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London Victoria Station is set in the heart of Westminster City and serves the south of the city. It serves the south and is found to the east of Buckingham Palace. You’ll find Westminster Palace majestically towering above nearby Trafalgar Square where you can go a short distance to Horseguards Parade where you can watch the changing of the guard in St James’s Park. Stay a while and listen to the iconic strike of Big Ben on the hour as you decide your next move. The elegant Guards Museum is an interesting gem in the vicinity or you could take a trip to the scales of justice which hang over the Supreme Court London. You could also admire the city from the London Eye and get a feel for your bearings or visit the botanical gardens at Kew to soak up the tropical atmosphere before you head south into the beautiful Kent countryside, home of the Hop and Oast Houses in Kent.

Capital City - Paris (France)

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Paris is a cultural capital of Europe and a cultural melting pot as well as home to a plethora of art galleries and cultural icons such as the Eiffel Tower. The famous Champs Elysées where the Elysée Palace sits is one of the most breathtakingly elegant streets in the capital. The Louvre is home to some of the most amazing Egyptian antiquities, as well as Islamic art and sculpture and of course the Mona Lisa and the Venus De Milo. With over 23 million visitors annually, they come to see the ruins of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Rodin museum, Picasso museum and the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur on the hill of Montmartre. No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Palace of Versailles one time home of Louis XIV and XVI at the start of the French revolution when France ultimately became a Republic as celebrated on Bastille day on 14 July each year.

Capital of Northern Italy’s Veneto Region - Venice

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Venice is the ultimate city of romance with its canals and central piazza of St Mark’s Square. Walk through the square and see its beautiful Byzantine mosaics and marvel at the centuries old St Mark’s Basilica and climb the stairs of the beautiful Campanile Bell Tower, where you can admire the roofs of this stunning water city. There are 118 small islands in the lagoon which are intricately linked with a series of bustling canals. This city is an audacious feat of engineering with its marble palaces and stunning venetian architecture. The Gallerie dell’Accadameia is also a not to be missed venue and no visit to Venice would be complete without a trip on a gondola.

Capital City - Budapest (Hungary)

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Capital of Hungary, Budapest is a tale of two towns, Buda and Pest. Buda was designed as a fortress town set on a hill with reinforced stone walls to protect it from invaders. The city is greatly influenced by the Italian renaissance and Buda was also conquered by the ottoman empire in the 1500s. The city hosts the breath-taking parliament buildings and baroque architecture overlooking the river and is home to a multitude of art galleries and museums. The Budapest castle is particularly beautiful and a great stop to drink coffee on the terrace overlooking the city. It may be one of the most expensive but it’s worth it to sit in the shadow of the Romanesque towers and watch the world go by.

Capital City - Prague (Czech Republic)

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Settled along the shores of the Vltava river, Prague, a World Heritage site, is home to stunning Byzantine architecture. With the Charles Bridge taking centre stage, it forms a bridge between the old and new town in this city of 100 spires. The bridge itself is lined with Catholic saints and was constructed in the 14th century and forms a walkway for buskers and tourists alike. In The old town square, make sure you visit and watch the astronomical clock , which faces the beautiful town hall, strike on the hour. The old Jewish quarter known as Josefov dates back to the 13th century when Jews were banned from the city. There are several synagogues located here also. Prague castle located in Hradcany or Castle district is a jewel in the crown as is St Vitus Cathedral which houses the chapel of St Wenceslas. You will never tire of Prague and will want to return many times to soak up its historical atmosphere.

Here is a useful guide - The 30 Most Instagrammable Places in Prague + 1 to Skip

Old Capital City - Istanbul (Turkey)

Sited on the Bosphorous strait which separates Asia from Europe, black sea from the sea of Marmara. Istanbul was the capital of Turkey until 1923. The heart of Byzantium, Istanbul was formerly known as Constantinople and was famed for being the seat of the roman empire. It then became the seat of power for the Ottoman empire and was transformed from a bastion of Christianity into an Islamic cultural symbol. No visit is complete without a visit to Hagia Sofia. A trip to Topkapi museum will let you see which was the effective administrative headquarters of the city and now a stunning museum. Admire the architectural treasures of the 15th century Basilica Cistern, one of hundreds that lie beneath the city. Dolmabahce Palace is also another example of stunning architecture. One of the best ways to view the city is via an evening sunset tour where you can admire the romance of the city’s architecture at night.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Luxury Train

The Venice Simplon-Orient Express train is a work of art in itself - a true Art Deco icon that is famous the world over.

Romance, adventure and the mystery of the past are all intimately bound up in journeys that visit some of the most alluring continental cites. Few trains still exist from a more gracious, elegant age of travel. No other train is as lovingly maintained as this worthy inheritor of the legend that is 'Orient Express'.

Delightful air-conditioned vintage cabins, delicious afternoon teas and exquisite dining with lively on-board entertainment make a journey aboard this icon, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, one of the world's finest travel experiences.

Dining on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is an unforgettable delight. All dishes are freshly prepared on the train by skilled French chefs, with the finest supplies taken onboard during the train's journey.

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