New friends on the Orient Express
Venetië
Italië
Kimalderden
New friends on the Orient Express
Stiletto’s on the Train
A true ‘once in a lifetime’ experience; Amsterdam – Venice on the famous Orient Express. Normally you embark this train in London or Paris en route to Venice but for the first time in history this train took off from Amsterdam. Traveling on board of this historic train makes you feel like being part of movie playing in a bygone era.
James Sherwood is the man who made it all happen. In 1978 he visited together with his wife Shirely some old and abandoned Pullman carriages. It was then and there that he felt something could be rescued from the mess they saw.
For a century the Orient Express has been a symbol of luxury travel in Europe. Stories where excitement, romance and intrigue play a part are well known. Mr. Sherwood tracked down over 30 carriages from the 1920’s and had them lovingly restored by expert craftsmen.
How lucky are we today with this decision of Mr. Sherwood and how lucky I was to join this inaugural trip from Amsterdam to Venice. The maximum capacity of the train is 180 guests in double cabins. Every cabin carry out wonderful details such as fresh flowers, a handwritten invitation for lunch and dinner, a small hand basin and dressing gowns for him and her. However no shower or toilet facility and two single beds. But who cares? With a smiling host who is available 24/7, the exact timing of this adventure, you feel like a princess.
Dress code obliged; I love it! Everyone in Black tie & fabulous dresses which perfectly matches the table silver and Chrystal. With a magical French chef on board the dinner is a highlight and after dinner? The bar carriage; a grand piano, gin-tonics or Pimm’s, great stories and new friends. The next morning our host serves breakfast in our cabin and we are going to enjoy a gorgeous day through the Austrian mountains. There is time to read or stroll along the carriages and chat with other guests. Again the chef and his equip surprises us with a lovely lunch followed by an afternoon tea in our cabin. At 6 pm sharp our adventure on board is over and I walk down the central station of Venice on my stiletto’s. Time to change shoes.
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