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Riding The Orient Express: What It’s Really Like On The Iconic Train

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

• Destinations
• Orient Express
• Types of Travel

Iconic, indulgent, unforgettable: these three words immediately come to mind when one thinks of the Orient Express. The service that began in 1883 exuded elegance and style and inspired writers (including Agatha Christie, of course), filmmakers, and the jet set.

While the original service no longer exists, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) was established in 1982 with a fleet of restored vintage cars and an eye toward impeccable service. It retraces many of the routes run by its predecessor, including the Venice-to-London run.

Now owned and operated by the luxury brand Belmond , the VSOE is still committed to excellent service. Riding the rails on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is an unforgettable experience. Here are a few of the reasons why.

The Train Is Truly Over-The-Top

We arrived at Venice’s Santa Lucia station in plenty of time for an 11:30 a.m. departure. The VSOE’s porters retrieved our bags from the gate and delivered them to our compartment. When it was time to proceed down the platform and approach the train, we were absolutely starstruck by the dazzling colors. All of the coaches — restored vehicles from the 1920s, ’30s, and ’50s — were painted a glossy, rich blue with gold embellishments. There is no other train like it on the rails, and we felt like royalty just walking up.

When we found our car, we were greeted by a smiling steward wearing a blue uniform adorned with shiny gold buttons. As I climbed the stairs into the train, he reached out his white-gloved hand to help me aboard. The gesture made an instant and indelible impression; I knew this was going to be a magical travel experience. Our steward walked us down the aisle to our room and asked us what lunch seating we’d prefer. We told him we’d prefer lunch at noon, and he left to attend to other passengers.

We took a few moments to poke around our compartment (our bags had already arrived and were stowed) and then explored the rest of train before lunch. Our room was small but richly appointed with dark cherry wood accents, a jacquard-upholstered sofa, a small table with a lamp, and a corner cabinet that concealed a washbasin. There was also a large picture window.

Belmond has done an incredible job of maintaining an Art Deco flair onboard the VSOE. There were three dining carriages, all accented with Lalique glass panels and rich black lacquer and impeccably set with silver, crystal, fine china, and crisp white linen. We took a quick peek at the bar car, also an Art Deco vision with brass accents, velvet curtains, chaise longues, and a baby grand piano tucked into the corner. By then, we realized it was already time for lunch. We had been on the rails for nearly 30 minutes and had hardly noticed, since the ride was so smooth.

Important: We looked the part as well. The VSOE is not the place for shorts or flip-flops! Plan on looking sharp for the trip’s duration; black tie is recommended for dinner.

The Service Is Second To None

From the moment we stepped onboard, we felt the pride and professionalism of the VSOE’s staff. We were on the train for 36 hours, and not once did we need to ask for a single thing. Every need was anticipated and provided for in an efficient yet friendly manner.

Every surface, from our compartment window to the floor in the dining room, had been polished to a gleam. The stewards all wore white gloves, and any inch of the VSOE would have passed a white-glove cleanliness inspection. The train was as clean as the whistle that blew as we pulled away from Santa Lucia.

Our steward served our in-room high tea, took care of our dining reservations, and transformed our room into sumptuous sleeping quarters while we were in the bar car after dinner. The next morning, we had newspapers waiting, and when we came back from breakfast, the room had been converted for day use. Our steward made it very clear — from the moment he showed us to the compartment until just before we disembarked — that if there was anything he could do for us, we had only to push the steward button. We never needed to, which speaks to the level of service we encountered.

We experienced the same level of care and attentiveness when taking our meals and in the bar car. The service was simply perfect.

The Dinner Is A Foodie’s Dream

We enjoyed several meals on the VSOE: a three-course luncheon, high tea in our compartment, a multicourse dinner, breakfast, an afternoon nosh, and another high tea. All meals were included in the price of our VSOE ticket. Passengers are assigned a dining car; each serves a similar menu.

The food was, in a word, exquisite. An entire team of chefs worked to prepare the food, which was French-inspired. The presentations were gorgeous, the portions were generous, and the food was of gourmet, five-star quality.

While lunch and breakfast were both delightful, dinner was the standout. The ambiance was elegant and chic, with passengers from all over the world dressed to the nines. The evening’s four courses were seasonally inspired and lavishly prepared with many indulgent ingredients, including lobster, caviar, and truffles. And like on trains anywhere else in the world, we had the chance to meet new friends while dining. We chatted with a British chemist and her nuclear physicist husband — and even caught a glimpse of a famous footballer — during dinner.

The Bar Car Is As Fantastic As It Sounds

Another spot where we spent time was 3674, the bar car. While alcoholic beverages were not included in the price of our ticket, the well-mixed drinks and the people-watching were worth the extra cost.

We headed to the bar car for a pre-dinner cocktail and returned for a nightcap before slipping back to our compartment. In addition to a full bar that churns out beautifully crafted cocktails, 3674 has a separate champagne bar stocked with vintages including Taittinger and Cristal. Still in a food coma from the sumptuous dinner, we sat in our plush wingback chairs, sipped our drinks, and looked out the window at the incredible Alps. A member of the staff played the baby grand. It was one of many pinch-me moments.

You’ll Never Forget The Sights

We were captivated by the route. From Venice, it cut across the Italian Dolomites, headed north and then west through the Alps in Austria and Switzerland, and then took us through the French countryside to Calais, France.

As the train pulled away from Venice, we looked out at little Italian towns and adjacent fields planted with grapes and other crops. As the terrain became rocky and steep, we saw that the farmers had cut their fields diagonally into the mountainside to make the most of the land. The Dolomites, which were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009, are popular with skiers, hikers, and climbers. These jagged, gorgeous peaks are showstoppers, and the lush valleys dotted with villages we passed along the way were charming. With its tall pines and tranquil meadows dotted with wildflowers, the scene looked like the backdrop for The Sound of Music . We half expected to see Maria come singing down one of the hills!

The train headed north, and after high tea, we found ourselves in Innsbruck, Austria. We briefly stepped out onto the platform to stretch our legs. The air was crisp, clear, and chilly, even though it was summer. The mountains towered over us, and most were capped in white. As we looked about, we could only imagine how busy the winter ski season must be!

One more forget-me-not moment: We stopped briefly in Switzerland, and as the train came to a halt, we lingered at an observation window opposite our compartment. We found ourselves looking straight at the most picturesque Swiss chalet, right down to the red geraniums in the window boxes. An elderly couple, both wearing thick sweaters, stepped out onto their porch to wave at the train. We saw them, grinned, and waved right back.

We slept through most of France and woke up outside Paris, where we took our breakfast on the train. Once we reached Calais, we disembarked and boarded a luxury coach for the Channel crossing. Then we boarded a British Pullman train for the short trip to London. The white cliffs of Dover were an interesting sight, but honestly, they lacked the wow factor after our incredible journey.

It’s A Bucket-List Item Worth Repeating

For so many reasons, we would take this trip again. Our experience onboard the VSOE was everything we could have imagined and more. It was not a point A to point B trip — you’re certainly not paying premium for simple transportation. Rather, the VSOE provided a trip back in time to an era where glitz and glamour reigned supreme. Getting there — in high fashion and fabulous style — was more than half the adventure.

Singles, twins, and suites on a variety of routes are available on the VSOE; you can find more information, including 2019 schedules and pricing, here .

Communication done well has always been Erika’s career focus. She’s served as a publicist and PR expert for several non-profit organizations based in St. Louis. Prior to that, she was an Emmy Award–winning television newscast producer.

When she’s not training for her next race or packing for another trip, you’ll find Erika hanging out with her husband, son, and personal zoo, which includes a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, two cats, and a grumpy pygmy hedgehog.

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Home > What to See and Do > Orient Museum

Orient Museum

Visitor's guide.

The Orient Museum is in a 1940s warehouse on the waterfront

P ortugal was the European power with the longest presence in Asia (Macau was only handed over to China in 1999), so it has quite a story to tell about how its culture influenced and was influenced by the East. This is the museum to know all about it, with a permanent collection dedicated to the Portuguese presence in Asia . Spread over two floors, it includes Indo-Portuguese furniture, Japanese screens, paintings, porcelain, masks, textiles and religious artifacts. The exhibition space is completely dark, with the light focusing on the pieces on display. It’s divided by countries, including Japan, China, India, and East Timor, which all had Portuguese colonies or trading posts. Everything is labeled in Portuguese and English.

The dark interior of the museum is divided by country

The foundation that runs the museum also puts together temporary exhibitions, covering a variety of themes related to the different Eastern cultures (ranging from Asian gods to Chinese opera).

The museum covers a variety of themes

The museum took over a 1940s warehouse in 2008, and is also a cultural center hosting events and conferences. On the fifth floor is a restaurant, which, naturally, serves Asian food. On the ground level is the museum shop.

How to Get to the Orient Museum

Bus 728 stops by the museum, but you must then use an overpass to cross the train tracks, and the museum is not immediately visible. The easiest way to reach it is by train, which departs every 20 minutes from Cais do Sodré Station . It’s the train to Cascais, which stops at the Alcântara-Mar station in just four minutes. Exit the station to the left, and the museum is about a 3-minute walk away. With the Lisboa Card , you may ride the train and the bus (as well as the city’s metro, trams, and funiculars) for free.

Avenida Brasília (Doca de Alcântara), Alcântara www.museudooriente.pt

Admission and Tickets to the Orient Museum

Tickets are €6.00, but it’s free on Friday evenings (from 6pm to 10pm). There’s a 20% discount with the Lisboa Card .

It's closed on Mondays

Attractions Nearby

Walk west out of the museum, towards 25 de Abril Bridge, and you’ll reach Docas de Santo Amaro . A short walk from across the train tracks (using the underpass), is Lx Factory and Pilar 7 - Bridge Experience , the exhibition inside one of the bridge’s pillars explaining the history and mechanisms of the landmark.

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10 simple rules for the Responsible Tourist

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2023

Categories Green Travel , Travel Tips

I probably don’t need to tell you why travelling is one of the most enriching experiences of life: we all need to understand though that travelling in a responsible way is possible, easy and doesn’t require any compromise. You might be wondering though, what you can do concretely, in your own small way, to be a responsible tourist anytime you travel.

Here it’s the answer: these are my personal 10 rules to follow before and during your travels .

1- Read, study, do your homework ! It doesn’t take much to be prepared when traveling: read a book, rent a travel guide at your city library or watch a documentary about the country you’re going to visit, then learn some basic words of the local language ( hello , please , thanks …trust me, people will thank your effort with huge smiles!) . Also, look online for the local tour-operators organizing excursions and day-trips, and go for one operating in a responsible way. On site, try and talk to some locals about the culture and the country traditions: you will treasure these encounters years later.

Photo by essentialtravel.co.uk

2- When possible, take a train or a bus rather than the plane . If you can’t, do you know that some airlines are more sustainable than others ? Here it’s a list you can consult before booking your plane. At destination, avoid as much as possible taxis and cars: local buses, bikes and simply walking are eco-sustainable transportation solutions, inexpensive and often more fulfilling.

Photo by Irunurun.com

3- Respect the environmen t and don’t destroy it: do not pick up ‘souvenirs’ from national parks, game reserves or archeological sites (in other words, don’t act like this tourist !!). Don’t abandon your garbage : keep it with you until you find a trash can and recycle, when possible.

4- Water is such a lacking resource in many parts of our planet: don’t waste it , always close the faucets. When you get out your hotel room, make sure you have switched off all of the lights and the air-conditioning.

5- Protect the fauna : don’t buy items or accessories manufactured with leathers, furs and animals’ parts. Don’t eat meat of endangered animals, even if it’s considered a local delicacy.

Photo by Susan Renee, Flickr

6- Respect the customs and local traditions : for example, in a conservative country dress adequately and if necessary cover your head. Recently in Morocco I found out that Berber women really appreciated me covering my head, and were more willing to talk to me. In the poorest countries, moreover, avoid showing off your wealth (avoid wearing watches, jewelry and designer bags).

7- Now more than ever ‘volontourism’ has become fashionable, especially among young travellers. To leave and help a far away community is a beautiful idea, but unfortunately there are companies profiting of this kind of tourism and of travellers with a big heart. It’s not uncommon for associations to ask volunteers thousands of dollars to participate in a program, and where does this money go? Not always to local communities. Then, how do I choose the right program? Check out the Ethical Volunteering Guide to help you choose the right program and website, and ask questions to the associations! If they are a serious company, they won’t have any problem giving you all kind of informations.

8- If your next destination is a third world country, with economical problems, you will be surrounded by children begging for money, and it will be difficult to say “no”: it may sound cruel, but avoid giving money to kids , because what for us might me a very small amount, will contribute to them leaving school. We all know how important is education! If you want to donate some money, do your research and donate through recognized humanitarian associations that will make sure your money will go to those more in need.

9- In developing countries it’s easy to feel you need to give a handout: better than this, though, is to contribute to the country’s economy by buying some gifts for friends and family: of course choose handmade goods made by local artisans!

10- During your travels, to near or far away countries, you will want to capture a moment or a smile with your camera. Do it, but always remember that locals aren’t animals in a zoo: before snapping the picture ask for permission .

Are you a responsible traveller? What are your personal rules to be one?

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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Mark Lindstrom

Friday 6th of January 2023

If you really care about green tourism, then stop promoting activities like swimming with turtles and whale sharks. Any time there is a great concentration of wildlife (especially in the ocean) it means there is an imbalance in nature. The Akumal turtles are getting tumors from too many tourists. The whale shark industry is rent with abuse.

The other abuse is drones. It's disruptive and not green at all. It's selfish.

Hi Mark, I didn't know about the turtles in Akumal, I visited a few years ago and the situation at the time was OK for what I could see. I will research the topic and make any necessary edits to my content.

Regarding drones, I don't know where you read that drones affect wildlife. I'm yet to find an article that highlights this aspect - in fact, most associations say that the use of drones can help the environment in multiple ways. I personally only use a drone in areas where it's allowed by the law of the visiting countries. I wouldn't use a drone over a national park or a place where it was specifically not allowed (for example, over some hotels for privacy reasons):

Regarding the whale sharks, swimming with them is not inherently bad, I'm not sure why you have that idea. It can be absolutely done ethically by respecting the distances and by choosing the right tour operator. It's actually encouraging conservation by eliminating the illegal fishing that happened before the tourists arrived.

Tourism that involves wildlife is not necessarily bad - in fact, even some zoos can be ok. I only recommend tour operators taht actr in sustainable ways and respect the rules that were made to protect the environment. Would you say taht riding horses is unethical? What about camels? It's not black or white, it can be good or bad depending on how the animals are treated and respected.I suggest you research the topic a bit more.

7 Reasons Why Responsible Tourism is Better for Everyone

Tuesday 14th of March 2017

[…] we, as travelers, follow the rules of Responsible Tourism, we’ll go out of our way to support locally-owned businesses and […]

Wednesday 4th of March 2015

Here, instead of giving money to the kids (who are often offering a service like polishing shoes or selling peanuts), we buy them a snack. Share a cookie with them, offer a piece of mango, something they wouldn't normally get.

GiselleandCody

Tuesday 3rd of March 2015

#1 is a huge one for us. Just learning a few words in another language makes a huge difference. We shop locally as much as we can weather it's buying handicrafts/art or even buying groceries. It's important to spread your money out.

Sunday 1st of March 2015

Such a great post with so many true points.

For me, #1 and #6 are such important parts of travelling. When I visit a new country, I make sure I understand as best I can their culture to ensure that I do not cause offence while travelling - wearing head scarves in Indonesia, dressing respectfully at religious sites, not leaving chopsticks in my rice in Japan, not facing my feet towards people in Thailand. Its not difficult but some people just don't seem to understand the importance of respecting local culture and beliefs.

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