Across literary history, authors have captured the allure and mystique of traveling on the Orient Express, weaving it seamlessly into their narratives to create a sense of adventure, luxury, and intrigue. I recall my first encounter with the luxurious carriage from Ian Fleming’s From Russia with Love, “The famous Wagons-Lits of the Simplon-Orient-Express. The train was exactly like all sleeping-car trains anywhere in the world.” But his interpretation was a conceit, after-all the Orient Express was not “like all sleeping-car trains in the world”, no, the Orient Express was best described by Agatha Christie as a journey where, “one saw the old, legendary civilizations, as the train raced through the night.” Consider her positive impression of the famed train journey even though her inspiration for Murder on the Orient Express stemmed entirely from being stuck onboard due to engine troubles. Indeed, travelling aboard the Orient Express is like stepping into a bygone era of elegance and sophistication, where every detail is crafted to indulge the senses and evoke a sense of grandeur.
All Aboard: Champagne and Caviar Dreams on Rails
Entering the train, you’re greeted by a wave of opulence that envelops you like a warm embrace. The corridors are lined with rich mahogany paneling, softly lit by ornate brass fixtures casting a warm glow. The air is infused with the aroma of fine leather and freshly cut flowers, creating an atmosphere of refinement and of course, indulgence that extends beyond the travel experience and stay but to its cuisine and tipple.
Founded by Philippe Clicquot, a fabric merchant in Reims. The House of Veuve Clicquot was the OG (read: original pioneers) of the #GirlBoss concept. When his son, François Clicquot, died suddenly in 1805, François’s 27-year-old widow, Barbe Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, took over the company – no small feat for this bold and audacious 19th-century woman. The first bottles of Veuve Clicquot were shipped from Reims, the heart of Champagne, to Venice and of course the Orient Express was already plying these routes.
How do you suppose a great Champagne house celebrates its own birthday? With Champagne, naturally, and plenty of it. To mark its 250th anniversary, Veuve Clicquot has conceived an exceptional journey with Belmond on board its mythic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. In 2022, guests spent two days discovering the history and savoir-faire of the Champagne Maison, retracing the route of the first bottles shipped abroad by the Maison in 1772.
Entitled “Voyage Solaire”, a name inspired by the signature sunburst yellow colour of Veuve Clicquot labels since 1877, the celebratory journey begins at sunrise in Reims, with a visit to the chalk cellars and a tasting of the Maison’s most prestigious cuvées, accompanied by Cellar Master Didier Mariotti. Then, the sophisticated adventure continues on board the legendary train. As if frozen in the ambers of the golden days of yore, its passengers were immersed in an authentic décor elevated by art deco details, anticipating an evening repast of champagne pairing. The next morning, as they luxuriated in the company of lovers or friends, the sun would rise over the Alps visible from their cabins or the platform at Innsbruck station. At its journey’s climax? A sunset dinner at Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, on Giudecca island.
Eastern & Oriental Express: A legendary train adventure from Singapore
1859 was a year of milestones in Singapore. Commercial Place was renamed Raffles’ Place in honour of its founder. Major General Sir Orfeur Cavenagh was appointed as the Governor of the Straits Settlements. The Singapore Botanic Gardens was founded and it was the year we received our first bottles of Veuve Clicquot. Contrary to popular belief, Singapore was not a “swampland” pre-Independence. Instead, as a colonial territory, we were considered an economic powerhouse and a cultural crossroads courtesy of sitting dead centre in the world’s busiest trade routes, hence the copious amounts of champagne consumed by the city’s burgeoning elite in the Southeast Asian metropolis.
Last month, February 2024, the Eastern & Oriental Express broke four-year hiatus with a new journey. The iconic Belmond train’s 15 dark green carriages left Singapore’s Woodlands station, taking in destinations like Penang, Langkawi before heading back to the garden city. With restyled interiors, elevated on board experiences, and enthralling journeys encompassing culture, gastronomy, architecture and the arts, the Eastern & Oriental Express was a return to the golden age of railway travel in the region.
Speaking to Belmond Global Head of Brand, Marketing and Communications Arnaud Champenois (full interview in April print issue), he shared with Augustman a new Wild Malaysia itinerary for the Eastern and Oriental Express, showcasing an excursion into the Taman Negara National Park, where guests can choose between three activities: an educational tour of the park to learn about the endangered Malayan Tigers, a wildlife photography class or an exploration of the rainforest’s ancient caves.
The revamped Eastern & Oriental Express boasts eight sleeping carriages, two restaurants, a Piano Bar, and the open-air Observation Car. The cabins – Pullman, State, and Presidential – are air-conditioned, cherry-wood panelled sanctuaries whose designs reflect the different landscapes the train travels through. The Pullman cabins draw inspiration from Kuala Lumpur, featuring red and blue accents resembling the city’s skyline, the State cabins reflect Penang’s marine locale with a blue and green palette, and the Presidential Suites exude opulence with hues of gold and embroidered elements.
Like Europe, we too enjoy our own celebratory Solaire Journey, an unforgettable three-night adventure taking you through Singapore and Malaysia where from 22 to 25 April 2024, guests will get to indulge in ultra-rare Veuve Clicquot champagnes, savour culinary delights by André Chiang, embark on private tours and more.
Find at more about the Belmond Eastern & Oriental Express
