Some Journeys are the Celebration Itself
For couples marking a wedding , a landmark anniversary or a special birthday, there are few experiences that capture the romance and occasion of the Orient Express – a train that’s been synonymous with glamour since 1883. If you’re dreaming of gliding across Europe in restored Art Deco carriages here’s a rundown on how to plan it right – from choosing your route to the small touches that turn a fantastic trip into one you’ll never forget.
Why the Orient Express is Ideal for a Celebration
The beauty of the Orient Express is that the journey is the event. You don’t rush to a destination – days unwind slowly, with long lunches afternoon tea served in your cabin and evenings of cocktails and dressing up for dinner. That unhurried intimacy is the point for a honeymoon or milestone – you’re not ticking off sights, you’re spending quality time in surroundings designed for just that. Dressing up for dinner, in particular, brings every evening a genuine feel of occasion that couples remember for years to come.
Picking the Right Journey
The name “Orient Express” now covers more than one train, so the first decision is which experience is right for your celebration.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, run by Belmond, is the classic experience : original 1920s & 1930s carriages travelling across Europe from Paris, with the overnight London to Venice route the most popular and romantic. Crossing the Alps at night and arriving into Venice by water is hard to beat for a honeymoon.
If Italy is calling the newer La Dolce Vita Orient Express offers a different vibe – a brand-new train designed to evoke 1960s Italian style, with itineraries through Tuscany Sicily and beyond, and private bathrooms in every cabin. That’s perfect for couples who want to explore one country in depth rather than travelling across a whole continent.
Beyond these the same specialists who arrange Orient Express journeys can also plan special celebrations on board the Royal Scotsman through the Highlands, or further afield in South Africa – worth knowing if you want the same style of journey somewhere new.
Choosing the Right Cabin for a Special Occasion
This is the decision couples most often get wrong, so it’s well worth understanding. On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Historic Twin cabins are beautifully restored but stay true to the era : they have a wash basin in the cabin and share a loo at the end of the carriage. They’re part of the train’s charm but, for a honeymoon, most couples prefer a Suite or Grand Suite which add a private en-suite bathroom, more space and a double bed. If you can stretch to it, the newest L’Observatoire carriage is the most extraordinary way to travel. Decide early on – the best cabins are limited and book up fast, particularly for peak dates.
When to Travel
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express runs from spring to late autumn, rather than all year round, so your celebration will need to fit within the season. Late spring and early autumn are usually the best combo of pleasant weather and beautiful light over the Alps. The most in-demand departures – and , of course , the best cabins on them – sell out months in advance, so if you have a fixed date like an anniversary, have a chat with the team as early as you can.
The Touches That Make it Memorable
A bit of planning turns the journey into a story you’ll be telling for years. If you’re marking the occasion on board, let the team know in advance – champagne a special dinner or a quiet word with your steward can all be arranged. Couples planning a proposal often choose the bar car in the evening, or the moment the train hits the mountains. Pack with the dress code in mind, too – evenings tend to be black tie, and embracing the glamour is half the fun. Bring a good camera – the light through the windows as you cross the Alps is simply stunning.
Getting there from the UK
For British couples the journey usually starts with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, where you join the train for the overnight run to Venice. It’s worth keeping the whole trip on the rails – no airports, no rush – and a good specialist will sort the timing so the connection is seamless. Many couples add a night in Paris beforehand to kick off the celebration in style.
Make it a Complete Trip
The train is the centrepiece but the destination completes it. Most couples spend two or three nights in Venice afterwards, arriving relaxed and stepping straight from a vintage carriage onto a private water taxi through the canals. Building in that time – a hotel, a guide, a special dinner – turns a single journey into a proper honeymoon or celebration break.
How to Book
Booking an Orient Express holiday is a bit more complicated than just booking a regular get-away : there’s only so many cabins to go around, departure dates are rigid & all the supporting details – Eurostar tickets ,Hotel reservations , transfers – have to fall into place like clockwork .
That’s where a specialist really earns their stripes – a UK based luxury rail specialist like Luxury Trains can sort the whole shebang out for you, help you pick the right cabin & do the legwork, leaving you free to simply sit back & enjoy the ride
But however you choose to label it , an Orient Express trip has one thing that makes a celebration truly special : its not just a place to remember – but an actual shared experience that lingers on long after you set foot back on solid ground .
