Time travel with the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Our colleague Sietske boarded the Venice Simplon Orient Express. Herewith you can read about her experiences on board, during the beautiful train journey from Venice to Amsterdam.

Venice, one of Europe's most romantic cities, is where my journey begins. The perfect place to step out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the world of glamour and elegance. Venice offers visitors all the charms for a relaxing stay; picturesque pebbled streets, quaint little bridges with beautiful vistas, a tangle of canals full of gondolas, cosy squares with terraces and beautiful old buildings that, no matter how long you look at them, you always discover something new.

A whole range of ristorante, trattoria and osteria offer delicious dishes and wines for a fun night out. Drinking a bellini at Harry's Bar, the iconic 1930s bar, cannot be missed during this visit. This is where Ernest Hemmingway, Katherine Hepburn and Joe di Maggio, among others, have had a drink and the visit offers a small foretaste of my upcoming adventure: from Venice, I will travel aboard the magnificent Venice Simplon Orient Express train to Amsterdam. I can't wait!

I am staying at the Londra Palace Hotel; a lovely base for exploring Venice. A short distance away is St Mark's Square, which houses the beautiful St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, among others. The hotel's classic style and personalised 5-star service totally fit the exquisite class of this trip. And when I open my curtains the next day, I have a beautiful view of the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore bathed in the soft morning light; an added bonus and good start to the day.

By boat, a guide picks me up at the hotel and takes me to the train station. Everyone on the train platform exudes a childlike enthusiasm; as if it were Christmas Eve. For many, this train journey is a dream come true. The luggage is distributed; we only take a hand luggage bag into the cabin, the rest of the luggage goes into the luggage car and is again at our disposal when we disembark in Amsterdam.

On the platform, I am welcomed by my steward and once on board, I step into a world of ultimate elegance and outstanding service with attention to the smallest details. Everything in my historic cabin makes me think I have stepped into the beginning of the last century. The artful finish in the wooden panels, the charming lighting, the decoration of my sofa and cushions, the handwritten welcome card and the luxurious toiletries I find by my sink; everything gives an experience of exclusivity and splendour. It is simply magical.

On the train, you won't find train shoes, jeans, t-shirts and hoodies. The dress code for the trip is 'you cannot be overdressed', so everyone on board has pulled out the best clothes and is 'dressed for the occasion'. The men in neat three-piece suits with waistcoats and designer shoes and the women in stylish dresses or chic long trousers and cashmere shawls. This adds depth to the historical atmosphere of this trip.

After a glass of champagne in my cabin to welcome me, the train leaves Venice and it is time to freshen up for the three-course lunch. Each meal is performed in a different dining car with unique atmosphere and decor. The sommelier always provides a perfect wine to accompany the different courses and afterwards, the steward serves coffee or tea in the cabin. Alternatively, you can relax with a drink in the bar carriage and meet other travellers from all over the world.

As the beautiful landscape of northern Italy passes me by, I enjoy afternoon tea in my comfortable cabin, read my book and chat at leisure with fellow travellers. It's a wonderful way to travel without rushing and where you can really enjoy the experience of the journey itself. The Black Tie dinner this evening is entirely Orient Express style; with the finest attire, most refined Michelin-star-level dishes and outstanding service. Every course is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds are extremely pampered.

The 'roaring twenties' come alive in the bar wagon and continue until the late hours. The bar car is a great place to socialise throughout the trip. The live piano music and cosy bar set the ambiance, while you can enjoy the tastiest cocktails, liqueurs and drinks as well as coffee or tea from the comfortable sofas. While talking and playing cards, time flies by on board. Meanwhile, the steward converts the bench seat in the cabin into a bunk with down pillows and soft blankets. I let the quiet rocking of the train lull me to sleep this evening, already dreaming of the 1920s.

I quietly start my day in the morning with breakfast in bed. Pressing the bell, the steward comes to my cabin who takes care of everything and then also converts my bed back to the sofa. This second day too is all about having an unforgettable travel experience. Once again, I get to enjoy a three-course lunch and afternoon tea before we arrive in Amsterdam in the early evening. In between culinary delights, I relax with my favourite book in my cabin, admire the view, take a look around the boutique and have another pleasant chat with fellow travellers in the bar car.

Boarding the Venice Simplon Orient Express is an absolute once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is an experience where time travel is made possible. The Orient Express is known for a bygone era; where romantic elegance and exquisite service reign supreme. The Orient Express is not just about travelling from point a to b, but more importantly, how you do it; with 5-star status and ultimate glamour.

The Venice Simplon Orient Express runs several routes between Europe's most beautiful cities, including Prague, Budapest, Geneva, Rome, Istanbul and Florence. Ask us about availability and possibilities on your travel dates. We are also happy to arrange a suitable itinerary around this iconic train journey, ensuring your entire trip is done in style.