24 Fancy Things That Happen on the Most Luxurious Train in Europe

By Ryan Roschke

Updated on 5/25/2018 at 5:31 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Ryan Roschke
POPSUGAR Photography | Ryan Roschke

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is perhaps one of the most recognizable trains in Europe, and I was lucky enough to ride it. If you're not familiar, the original Orient Express was a staple of European travel, with nightly travel between Paris and Bucharest. Over the decades, it became a famous institution and a bucket list item for many avid travelers. In 2014, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express launched a once-in-a-life-time luxury experience. Recently, as part of a press trip to promote the adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express, I was invited to experience the iconic train in all its glory. And let me tell you, "fancy" doesn't even begin to describe those 24 hours. Curious to know what kind of crazy stuff happens on the tracks? I'm outlining the most extra of the extra things that went down.

A Warm Welcome

A Warm Welcome

  1. As soon as you board the train, there's already a full snack tray waiting for you. Fruit, bread, cheese, vegetables, and more.
  2. On your comfy seat, there's a small setup: an envelope with a welcome note, an authentic silver "guard's whistle," and a luxury travel kit.
A Ridiculous Amount of Self-Care

A Ridiculous Amount of Self-Care

  1. I knew you'd actually be wondering about the travel collection. Inside the fancy box, you find hand lotion; skin lotion; a "dry shower" in a tube; a lip balm; three different "mists" that clear the air, your skin, and your smell; and two fancy facial creams. Yeah.
  2. That's not all, either. For nighttime adventures, you get a gorgeous patterned robe (with pockets) and a pair of slippers.
A Champagne Toast and Expert Service

A Champagne Toast and Expert Service

  1. Just minutes after the train departs, your car attendant will come through and pour Champagne. Best way to start the journey.
  2. By the way, each car has its own 24/7 attendant. All you have to do is ring the bell, and he or she will be at your service in a minute.
  3. Your luggage has already been placed carefully in the cabin before you even step on board.
  4. The attendant will bring you any food you want to order off your room menu (including a selection of Champagne bottles that goes up to 400 Euro). They'll also convert your space to sleeping arrangements while you're at dinner and will wake you up (at your desired time) with breakfast.
Very Luxe Accommodations

Very Luxe Accommodations

  1. This is what the little sink area looks like in every small cabin. There are three mirrors, towels, glassware, and even fresh bottles of water. For the record, there's a communal toilet at the end of every train car.
  2. The cabin itself is a little small (so small, I couldn't get a proper picture to denote size); it's comfortable and cozy but definitely pretty snug for two people.
  3. All of the sleeper cars look pretty similar, but each has a different stylish carpet running along its length. The same goes for the fancy dining cars and the bar car; there's uniformity in the style but uniqueness in the upholstery.
A Phenomenal Black-Tie Dinner

A Phenomenal Black-Tie Dinner

  1. In the evening, we all dressed up for a fancy black-tie dinner. Just check out the menu.
  2. Also, let's just start with the EUR 510 and EUR 350 caviar. Like, wow.
  3. The thing about dining on the train is that the servers are insanely attentive, and the chef is willing to meet your needs. If you want the prix fixe menu, you can still sub in a dish for a dish you don't like. Or you can simply build your own three-course meal, and they'll oblige.
  4. The chef comes out the end, everyone applauds.
Ridiculous Food Offerings

Ridiculous Food Offerings

  1. Here's a sample of what we got with lunch. The first thing you can see is smoked salmon with caviar cream and toast, and it only got more ridiculous from there. I also ordered a duck foie gras ravioli (not as photogenic but just as delicious) and a dark chocolate and banana confit pyramid for dessert.
  2. The macarons were provided for the table without request.
  3. We had an early seating for the (black-tie) dinner, and you can see all the food offerings in the menu shared earlier.
  4. There was a small continental breakfast offering with a fresh pastry basket, fruit salad, coffee and orange juice, plus cheeses and jams.
Insane Glassware and More

Insane Glassware and More

  1. All it takes is one look at this Champagne bottle chiller to know that the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express means business. This was maybe the most extravagant of the things I saw.
  2. You could see the supreme detail in the other places, like unique lunch and dinner china or the bar car's glassware.
Something to Literally Write Home About

Something to Literally Write Home About

  1. And now, for some fun miscellany! Our welcome package came with postcards that the train would mail on our behalf, free of charge.
  2. There was a baby grand piano (and a pianist) on the bar car. He played for us well past midnight.
  3. There were an assortment of exciting drinks on the bar car's cocktail menu, including an Agatha Christie. This Champagne had 12 secret ingredients and a single blueberry, meant to represent the murder in Murder on the Orient Express.

All press trip travel expenses and accommodations were paid for by 20th Century Fox.