This summer, travelers can experience the Italian Riviera like never before—by arriving on Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE).
In June 2024, the luxury train will launch its first-ever route to Portofino, the postcard-perfect coastal town on Italy’s Ligurian Sea. The glamorous new itinerary will be an unforgettable journey, departing from Paris in the afternoon and gliding through the French countryside. The next day, travelers arrive in Portofino—but the experience doesn’t end there. Instead, guests will be whisked away to one of Belmond’s iconic oceanfront hotels for a two-night stay.
Here are all the details about this ultimate European summer rail journey.
Coastal views from your private train suite
As the train begins its journey, guests will settle into their private cabins and snack on a French goûter course. Once outside of Paris, passengers will be treated to views of iconic French regions, including Burgundy and Provence. See snapshots of French cities of Dijon, Lyon, and Avignon as the train meanders past.
But don’t spend too long admiring the scenery from your seat—there’s dinner and drinks to be enjoyed inside the train's elegant restaurant and bar cars. Passengers will want to put on their best black-tie ensembles before grabbing a pre-dinner drink in Bar Car 3674, the heart of the train that offers electric atmosphere along with handcrafted cocktails and live piano music.
When it’s time for dinner, guests will be guided into one of the train’s three sumptuous dining cars for a special summer menu designed by chef Jean Imbert. The acclaimed culinary artist earned a Michelin star at his Paris restaurant Plaza Athénée and is known for “throwing a new light on France’s culinary heritage,” according to the renowned dining guide.
The party will continue into the wee hours back in Bar Car 3674 with a live band called The Uppertones, described by Belmond as “an energetic three-man-band of trombone, vocals, piano, and drums playing Swing, Boogie and Calypso tunes."
When it’s time to call it a night, passengers will return to their cabins to find them thoughtfully arranged by their round-the-clock room attendant, with any sleeping berths converted and all beds prepared with cloud-like linens before falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the train cars.
Passengers will awake to dazzling coastline views along France’s Cote d’Azur, so named for its glittering bright-blue waters. Enjoy a continental breakfast in bed as the train winds by the elegant riviera cities of Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, and across the border into Italy. Later in the morning, guests will be served brunch in the dining cars while views of the charming Italian towns Ventimiglia, Savona, and Genoa whoosh past.
The train is scheduled to arrive at Santa Margherita Ligure, a picturesque seaside commune just north of Portofino, in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, passengers will be escorted to the historic Belmond Splendido hotel where the adventure continues.
An Italian hotel from the Golden Age of travel
Splendido is a seaside resort is a former 16th century monastery that’s perfectly placed in the hillsides above the Gulf of Portofino—in fact, it's known for its sweeping vistas of the water. First opening as a hotel in 1901, the property has hosted old Hollywood stars including Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardener, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Travelers, too, will be treated like movie stars at the resort, with a gala-style dinner in the hotel’s al fresco restaurant, La Terrazza, which overlooks the Gulf of Tigullio. (The menu will once again be prepared by chef Imbert.)
And on the last night, the Belmond team will ensure the journey is completed on a high note: For the trip's “grand finale," guests will be invited to a private outdoor film screening in Portofino’s famous town square, the Piazzetta. Imagine sitting under the stars, watching a movie surrounded by the town’s colorful buildings as the waters of the harbor lap at the shore behind you.
For now, the new three-night itinerary is only being offered on June 20-23, 2024, with plans to repeat the journey annually. Passengers would depart Paris on the VSOE at about 3pm on June 20, arrive in Portofino at about 1pm on June 21, and check out of the Splendido hotel on June 23.
Fares for the three-night sojourn aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express start at £7,920 (approx. $8,525.09 USD), based on double occupancy. In addition to the train transport, that price includes all meals, sommelier’s pick of wines, soft drinks, and 24-hour steward service on board the VSOE; the two-night hotel stay; the gala dinner; and transfers to the train station in Paris and from the train station in Portofino to the Splendido.
