When anyone mentions the words train travel to you, would you instantaneously think of lines of InterCity carriages in grubby railway stations being boarded by gray faced commuters? That has been lone side of traveling by rail, admittedly, the business side - necessary, but about as much fun as being a jump into cold porridge. Even so, travelling by means of rail beats automobile journeys hands down - no queues, no road rage and also a journey smooth enough to be able to peruse, work or drink a coffee devoid of spilling it.
But perhaps you have thought there’s another side to Train Travel going on holiday by train just for the fun of it and travelling to fabulous getaways throughout the UK and Europe. Think of romance, imagine luxury, think of comfort, imagine excellent cuisine and top quality wine served in lavish surroundings; the trappings of a bygone ages of elegance that you simply thought had vanished forever.
Imagine the Orient Express.
Taking a trip on the Orient Express is like travelling to a new and thrilling world. Imagine visiting great European metropolitan areas like Venice and Prague over the historic Simplon Orient Express that still uses the original carriages built in the 1920s complete with fabulous Lalique Glass panels, wonderful Art Deco interiors plus antique wooden burning stoves.
It seems erroneous to set the Orient Express being merely a train; this is more like a five-star hotel on rails. If you take the trip from Venice to London you can travel passing through Prague, spending a few days in that amazing, historic city within the luxury of its only five-star hotel. Try cycling or hiking in the sweeping Bohemian countryside where you feel you can see to the end of the earth, or have a less active day having a drive in an open carriage ending with a picnic. In the end of the day go back to the Orient Express for a fabulous meal served by white- jacketed waiters whose only job is always to anticipate your every need. What a life!
The romantic charisma and splendor of the Orient Express calls for you back in time; everybody dresses for ceremonial dinner, then afternoon tea is served each on top of fine china that Agatha Christie herself would have approved of. Without a murder in sight ?.
It must be admitted that travelling on the Orient Express is absolutely not economical (did you suppose it to be?), however it could become better price than you first think, with rates including all meals, service and personal accommodation. Hence if you crave for the romance and luxury of a trip over the Orient Express, rates begin from approximately £500 for London to Paris (one day), up to £5,000 for the ultimate five night trip Paris to Istanbul. Definitely the trip of a lifetime!