cheryl
Administrator
Staff member
These Incredible Luxury Trains in Europe Are Sparking a New Trend in Train Travel - Travel and Leisure
Shiny new trains and exciting itineraries have summer travelers taking a second look at the rails.
A luxurious champagne-and-caviar ride through Europe on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a celebratory splurge. But this year, it will be even more spectacular: Belmond (Grand Suites from $15,800 per person, per night, all-inclusive), which operates the trains, has just added three over-the-top Grand Suites that wouldn't be out of place at one of the company's grande-dame hotels, such as the Cadogan or the Cipriani.
Designed by Wimberly Interiors, each of the three new, Art Deco–style compartments has a double bed, an en suite bathroom, and heated floors. Guests can call on round-the-clock butler service for in-room dining or a nightcap; they can also dine in the train's spacious restaurant or pop in to the bar car. The iconic London–Venice–Istanbul route remains an option, but the trains will also hit other cities this year, including Amsterdam, Brussels, Florence, Geneva, and Rome.
While few trains can compete with the glamour of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, rail travel is also on the upswing in the U.S., as some travelers remain skittish about flights and are opting for the space and privacy of couchettes instead. Overall Amtrak ridership is down because of the pandemic, but certain routes are in huge demand, says Frank Marini, the president of Yankee Leisure Group, which owns Amtrak Vacations and Railbookers.
Shiny new trains and exciting itineraries have summer travelers taking a second look at the rails.
A luxurious champagne-and-caviar ride through Europe on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a celebratory splurge. But this year, it will be even more spectacular: Belmond (Grand Suites from $15,800 per person, per night, all-inclusive), which operates the trains, has just added three over-the-top Grand Suites that wouldn't be out of place at one of the company's grande-dame hotels, such as the Cadogan or the Cipriani.
Designed by Wimberly Interiors, each of the three new, Art Deco–style compartments has a double bed, an en suite bathroom, and heated floors. Guests can call on round-the-clock butler service for in-room dining or a nightcap; they can also dine in the train's spacious restaurant or pop in to the bar car. The iconic London–Venice–Istanbul route remains an option, but the trains will also hit other cities this year, including Amsterdam, Brussels, Florence, Geneva, and Rome.
While few trains can compete with the glamour of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, rail travel is also on the upswing in the U.S., as some travelers remain skittish about flights and are opting for the space and privacy of couchettes instead. Overall Amtrak ridership is down because of the pandemic, but certain routes are in huge demand, says Frank Marini, the president of Yankee Leisure Group, which owns Amtrak Vacations and Railbookers.