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A unique opportunity to traverse Europe in style, we are delighted to be able to offer a limited number of places on this very special five-night journey from Istanbul to Paris in Autumn 2021 – combined with a stay in both cities and first-class Eurostar from Paris to London. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express makes one journey each autumn across Europe on this historic route – and while places are normally reserved years in advance, recent cancellations mean that there is a rare opportunity to treat yourself to this magnificent travel experience.
Flying from London to Istanbul you will stay for two nights at the landmark Hotel Pera Palace (5*), the official hotel for guests on the original Orient-Express journey in the 1920s, and a favourite with Agatha Christie. Step aboard the gleaming blue-and-gold carriages of the Venice SimplonOrient-Express and enjoy dinner and the first night onboard as you travel through Bulgaria and Romania. The second night is spent at a luxury hotel in Bucharest where there will be time to explore before rejoining the train to travel onwards through Transylvania. You will visit Sinaia and Peles Castle, then cross into Hungary overnight and spend a day in Budapest. Enjoy a final night on board with a celebratory dinner before waking to breakfast as the train travels through the Swiss Alps. Arriving after lunch in Paris, you will enjoy two nights in the French capital before returning to London by Eurostar.
...when you travel with Kirker
Arranged by us exclusively for our customers...
Our holidays to Paris include a two day Museum Pass which gives you complimentary access to over 60 museums, monuments and galleries including the Louvre (timed entrance), the Musée d'Orsay, the Picasso Museum, Musée Rodin, the crypt of Notre Dame and Château de Versailles.
In addition we will provide you with a carnet of five metro tickets and a complimentary Seine river cruise!
Once the original grand hotel of Istanbul the Pera Palace reopened in 2010 after a painstaking restoration, it first opened in 1892 to accommodate passengers from the Orient-Express.
Welcoming guests since 1920, the Grand Powers opened in December 2018 as a member of ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World.’ Following a sensitive restoration, the Powers balances contemporary Parisian chic with the Art Deco touches of its previous heyday within the Haussmann building so typical of the 8th arrondissement.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is more than just a train, it is an iconic travel experience which takes you back to an era when embarking on a journey was a glamorous and stylish affair which required fine-dining, high fashion and impeccable service. Any journey on board the train has the atmosphere of a special occasion, and it is the perfect place to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary in style.
The original 1920s and 1930s carriages formed part of the express trains which traversed Europe in the early 20th century ‘golden age’ of rail travel. Each has been lovingly restored by expert craftsmen, with gleaming livery and immaculate marquetry. The sleeping cars consist of comfortable banquette seating, with a window table and private washbasin concealed behind elegant oak doors. Whilst you are dining, your steward will transform the cabin into comfortable upper and lower berths with crisp damask sheets and fine blankets. Each carriage has its own dedicated steward, available 24 hours a day, and there is a mosaic-tiled lavatory at the end of the car.
For additional comfort and extra space, we highly recommend reserving a Cabin Suite, which is formed of two interconnecting cabins. This offers additional space during the day, and can be converted to two lower berths at night. Alternatively, three extravagant new Grand Suites were added to the train in 2018, each of which is named after a key destination on the route – Paris, Venice and Istanbul. The Grand Suites offer spacious accommodation with a double bed, living area and private en suite bathroom with shower, and passengers can enjoy meals in the privacy of their suites or in the main restaurant cars. Grand Suites sell out fast on peak dates so it is crucial to book well in advance – and supplements, which reflect the grandeur of the suites, are available on request.
One of the highlights of your journey is the delicious cuisine – all meals are included in the price (although drinks are extra). Chef Christian Bodiguel and his expert team take fresh ingredients on board throughout the journey and create varied menus which belie their compact kitchen. Breakfast is served in your cabin at the time of your choice, and includes fresh patisserie and fruits. For lunch and dinner – an occasion for which guests are encouraged to dress in glamorous 1920s style – you can choose to dine in one of the three elegantly restored restaurant cars:
Côte d’Azur: Built in 1929 and decorated with Lalique glass panels.
Etoile du Nord: Built in England with a lining of intricate marquetry.
L’Oriental: Originally a Pullman kitchen car, decorated with black lacquer panels.
After dinner, you may enjoy a cocktail in the stylish piano bar – or perhaps a glass of champagne in the Art Deco champagne bar.
Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.
