Anybody done the orient express?

[gareth h]

My wife has got a big birthday (in a couple of years) I normally leave it until the last minute and never fail to disappoint
I’ve started to investigate the OI, it’s eye wateringly expensive (€8k each) for 3 days / 2 nights, I’m looking at Rome to Palermo.
Just wondering if anybody had done it and how they felt about it after? An experience to never forget, or an expensive mistake?

[Doofus]

We did it in 2010, London to Venice. There's a thread on here somewhere.

Spent about £20k, IIRC, but that included a few days elsewhere in Italy.

I've never been so sure I was going to die.

[Doofus]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[gareth h]

Doofus said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Thanks, I’ll have a browse

[Doofus]

gareth h said:

Thanks, I’ll have a browse

In fact, there's not much in there, apart from my post about the OE.

[Jader1973]

I have. It was murder.

[Every day a journey]

A pal of mine did for his Wife's 60th

Absolutely LOVED it!

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

I have booked it for a (surprise) Silver Wedding anniversary next year - we are flying to Verona, spending a few days there, train to Venice for a couple of days then Orient Express to Brussels. Am debating whether to stay for a day or two in Brussels before returning home via Eurostar.

I should add, we’re just doing the one night, so c. £8.5k between us - I haven’t really looked at other itineraries, but having experienced it for 1 night, personally I think I’d be able to find better things for the money than a second night!

Ridiculously expensive, but hopefully a trip of a lifetime - I will report back next year.

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Friday 26th April 23:54

[gareth h]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

I have booked it for a (surprise) Silver Wedding anniversary next year - we are flying to Verona, spending a few days there, train to Venice for a couple of days then Orient Express to Brussels. Am debating whether to stay for a day or two in Brussels before returning home via Eurostar.

I should add, we’re just doing the one night, so c. £8.5k between us - I haven’t really looked at other itineraries, but having experienced it for 1 night, personally I think I’d be able to find better things for the money than a second night!

Ridiculously expensive, but hopefully a trip of a lifetime - I will report back next year.

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Friday 26th April 23:54

Thanks, I didn’t see a single night option, I’ll have another look

[Doofus]

My wife's reminded me that the train we were on had three (themed) dining cars, but they aren't sufficient for the number of passengers, so dining times are staggered and on one evening our "dinner" was at 5:30pm.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

gareth h said:

Thanks, I didn’t see a single night option, I’ll have another look

From memory we get onto the train in Venice for an 11am departure. We have lunch and dinner on the train, then wake up and have breakfast in the cabin. Then another lunch on the train before finally arriving in Brussels early afternoon.

The original plan was to leave the train in Paris after lunch, but it was the same price to continue on to Brussels and continue the experience with an extra lunch etc, so we took that option.

[andrebar]

Many years ago I got to spend an evening on the Eastern & Oriental Express. Obscenely luxurious surroundings with some of the best food & wine I’ve ever tasted. The full trip would definitely make my lottery win wishlist.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Just thought I’d update on this thread, whilst sitting in my Suite on the Orient Express!

We departed from Venice a couple of hours ago and will soon be taking our lunch un the ‘Green’ dining room.

We have been extremely lucky and been updated to a Suite, from the standard cabin (with bunks) that we had booked - this means we will have a double bed and probably, most usefully, a private bathroom with shower etc.

As you’d expect, the service is exemplary but also very friendly - I’m sure the butlers are experts at adjusting to your preferences, and we just want to enjoy the ambience, we aren’t looking for ‘servants’ to wait on us 24/7.

Obviously the cost of a trip on the Orient Express will fund a very nice holiday elsewhere, but so far, this really has hit the spot for a trip of a lifetime, probably never to be repeated!