While Europe has an abundance of exciting new sleeper trains, none are as glamorous or legendary as the Orient Express. And to add to the roster of all the dazzling new routes set to glide through the continent this year, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has just launched a brand-new service.
Taking passengers from the bustle of Paris to the stunning coast of Portofino, the stylish route is pretty exclusive – it will have its inaugural launch on June 20, but it will only run once a year.
It might not come as a surprise that a ticket won’t come cheap – other services start at £3,530 ($4630, €4,080), but tickets for the Paris to Portofino train start from £7,920, ($8,525, €7810). While that is for double occupancy, luxury does come with a pretty hefty pricetag.
And just take a look at the route – from Paris, the train journeys through the charming French countryside to the Mediterranean coast, breezing past Cannes, Nice and Monaco, before crossing into Italy through Ventimiglia, Savona, Genoa and terminating at Santa Margherita Ligure.
But you won’t be spending all three nights on the rails. Guests are lucky enough to spend just one night on the train, before two nights at the aptly named five-star Splendido hotel, which overlooks the Portofino Gulf.
The chance to enjoy unmatched views of the Italian coast from a former sixteenth-century Benedictine monastery sound well worth the cash? You can have a read of some more info on the website.
Check out our round-up of the exciting new sleeper routes launching in Europe this year here, or read up on other dazzling routes set to trundle through Italy in 2024.
Did you see that a dazzling new train route just launched in Mexico?
Plus: Venice is banning large tourist groups this year.
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