Get Ready to Experience the Luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Train to the Italian Riviera

Belmond, the esteemed luxury hotel, train, and river cruise company, has had a remarkable 2023, including the announcement of the return of the legendary Eastern & Oriental Express and the introduction of two new Grand Suites on the prestigious Royal Scotsman. Following the launch of a new route from Paris to the French Alps, the opulent Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will soon unveil a thrilling new rail itinerary that will transport travelers from Paris to Portofino, Italy, for the very first time in its more than forty-year history. Complementing this lavish journey, the experience will also feature a two-night stay at Belmond’s exquisite Splendido hotel and a gala dinner hosted by one of Paris’s renowned chefs. Here’s everything you need to know about this extraordinary rail adventure.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Paris to Portofino route

This new journey will commence in Paris on June 20, 2024. Guests will be collected from their Paris accommodations and taken to the Paris Gare de l’Est station, where they will board and settle into their luxurious cabins or suites on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train.

While onboard, guests can choose from three types of accommodations. Most of the train features Historic Cabins, which provide a daytime lounge that converts into upper and lower berths at night, along with a sink; full bathrooms are located at the end of each carriage. There are also 16 suites (8 of which will debut in 2024) offering twin or double beds and a marble en suite bathroom. Finally, six Grand Suites are available, each uniquely designed to reflect a European capital city (such as Moorish accents in the Istanbul Grand Suite and baroque touches in the Vienna Grand Suite). Each Grand Suite includes a queen-size bed, a marble en suite bathroom (featuring brass showers and a blown-glass sink), a separate lounge area, and a private bar stocked with unlimited champagne.

As the train departs from the station, stewards will offer pastries and coffee for guests to savor while the train glides along the tracks, passing through picturesque countryside and cities like Dijon, Lyon, and Avignon.

That evening, guests will dine in one of three restaurant cars—Côte d’Azur, L’Oriental, or Étoile du Nord—under the direction of chef Jean Imbert, whose Paris restaurant, Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée, has received a Michelin star. While the specifics of the dining experience remain undisclosed, Belmond promises it will “honor the regions and cultures experienced along the way while modernizing classic dishes.” Given that the train traverses renowned wine areas like Burgundy, each course will be paired with wines selected by the train’s sommelier.

After dinner, passengers can choose to retire to their cabins or enjoy the evening in the Bar Car, named 3674, where The Uppertones, a three-piece band, will perform swing and calypso tunes late into the night.

The next morning, guests will awaken in southern France and can savor a leisurely continental breakfast in their cabins as the train glides past Cannes and Nice before crossing into Monte Carlo, Monaco. It will then cross the border into Italy, hugging the coastline as it travels by Ventimiglia, Savona, and Genoa. In the afternoon, the journey will end in Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming fishing village turned coastal resort just three miles from Portofino.

The Italian segment of the adventure continues at Splendido, another exquisite property under the Belmond brand.

Accommodations at Splendido

Nestled on the hills above Portofino and the Gulf of Tigullio, this former 16th-century Benedictine monastery has been transformed into a luxurious seaside resort, featuring 70 rooms and suites that have hosted luminaries such as Elizabeth Taylor, Humphrey Bogart, and Liza Minnelli.

With two full days at Splendido, guests can indulge in the resort's amenities, including a refreshing swim in the new saltwater pool overlooking the harbor, enjoying an open-air massage at the spa, strolling through the tropical gardens, or dining at the two restaurants, Splendido Grill and La Terrazza. Chef Imbert will present a five-course tasting menu on the first night in Portofino at the latter.

Nearby attractions worth exploring include the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, Paraggi Beach, and Castello Brown, as well as La Piazzetta, the historic town square, where guests will be treated to a private film screening on their final evening.

Prices begin at £7,920 (approximately US$10,000 based on current exchange rates) for two guests sharing a Historic Cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and a garden view room at Splendido. This includes complimentary transfers in Paris and Portofino, all meals with wine pairings aboard the train, dedicated steward service, two nights at Splendido, and the gala dinner at La Terrazza. Currently, this exclusive three-night itinerary is available once a year, and tickets can be purchased at belmond.com.