Veuve Clicquot has created three of the most decadent journeys you can imagine on Belmond Trains. Solaire Journeys (a name inspired by the signature sunburst yellow color of Veuve Clicquot labels) follow the sun on three continents, from East to West, accompanied by some of the world’s best champagne and gastronomy.
Unique and rare champagnes are paired with food overseen by Jean Imbert (of Michelin-starred Plaza Athénée) for the ultimate tasting journeys. Two of the journeys have already left the station (the Eastern & Oriental from Singapore and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris) but this autumn, you can join the third, champagne-fuelled excursion on board the Andean Explorer from Machu Picchu, Peru.
The First Journey in 1883
The first journey of the world’s most famous long distance train service, Express d’Orient, was from Paris to Vienna, on 5 June 1883. Belgian company Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits ran the service until 2009 with various routes and expansions through Europe. The service quickly became emblematic of luxury and intrigue in rail travel, even more so after Agatha Christie’s fictional detective Hercule Poirot traveled from Istanbul on the Simplon Orient Express in her 1934 novel Murder on the Orient Express.
In 1919, the classic midnight blue cars of the first Simplon-Orient-Express train, that you still see today, were introduced, as it connected Paris to Istanbul via Milan and Venice for the first time. This route, establishing a new path through the Alps, went through the Simplon Tunnel, a technological marvel which at nearly 20 kilometres was the longest railway tunnel in the world until 1982 when Japan’s Daishimizu Tunnel opened.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
A grand suite on Venice Simplon Orient Express
Venice Simplon Orient Express
If, like most people, an “Orient Express” journey is high on your bucket list, it is possible to take the iconic Paris to Istanbul journey today on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), owned by Belmond. Traveling through seven countries, the five day Istanbul route is offered twice a year from £17,500 per passenger. If this is out of your budget range, there are shorter, less expensive routes throughout Europe each year including Vienna to Paris (1-night journey) from £4,275 per passenger.
The VSOE train, made of restored 1920s and 1930s carriages, is just as opulent and gorgeous as you’d imagine and transports you back to a more elegant age of travel. The interiors feature plush upholstered seats, polished wood paneling and ornate fixtures. The blue dining car 4141, built in 1929, was decorated by René Lalique in the ”Côte d’Azur” style. The French designer’s Art Deco glass panels with Bacchanalian maidens are still on both mahogany sides of the car. Monsieur Lalique was also responsible for the design of some of the chairs and the Tulip lamps throughout the train.
The bar car with grand piano
Paul Allen/Andfotography2
As the longest passenger train in Europe, the VSOE has 17 carriages, including 11 sleeping cars with 6 Grand suites, 8 suites and 40 cabins, 3 restaurant cars, 1 bar car, and 2 staff cars. The sleeper carriages have three levels of accommodation available: Grand Suites, Suites and Historic Cabins. And from 2025, even more opulent, the private carriage “L’Observatoire” is scheduled to be added.
Overnight From Vienna to Paris
The chalk cellars of Veuve Clicquot champagne, Reims
AFP via Getty Images
A one night trip between Vienna and Paris via Budapest or Prague is a regularly scheduled route and will give you the desired bucket list experience. Last month, Veuve Clicquot’s special Solaire journey traveled from Vienna via Reims when guests were able to visit the famous UNESCO-listed crayères (chalk cellars) where “la grande dame de la Champagne” Madame Clicquot created the world’s first known vintage champagne in 1810 as well as the first blended rosé champagne.
Lunch in the Veuve Clicquot cellars was a four-handed virtuoso performance from Chefs Jean Imbert and Mory Sacko (of Paris’s Michelin-starred Mosuke) who each created the same dish of every course in completely different ways.
You can never be overdressed on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with black tie de rigueur. Before embarking on the train in Vienna, guests had a tour of the art collection of the private Palais Liechtenstein (including an entire room of rarely seen paintings by Reubens) and dinner by award-winning Austrian chef Andreas Döllerer. The tasting menu was paired with rare Veuve Clicquot vintages served in magnum: Cave Privée 1998, Cave Privée Rosé 1998, Cave Privée 1985 and Cave Privée Rosé 1985, each chosen by Veuve Clicquot’s cellar master Didier Mariotti who will also be on the Solaire Andean journey in Peru.
Accommodation
Stewards demonstrating suite on Venice Simplon Orient Express
Paul Allen/Andfotography2
Even the entry level cabins on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are luxurious, with rich woodwork and comfortable seating that converts into beds with fine linens. Next level up are suites with sofas that become double beds and ensuite bathrooms with lovely tiling, petite showers and air conditioning. The height of luxury are the Grand suites which have a surprising amount of space for a train, including a separate lounge and dining area.
Dining and Drinking
Dining car
Paul Allen/Andfotography2
You’re spoiled for choice with three equally gorgeous dining cars. L’Oriental (built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company in 1927) features an exotic Eastern design with lacquered panels, plush seating and intricate marquetry. Etoile du Nord (built in 1926) has a more contemporary style while my favorite in blue velvet, the Côte d’Azur (1929) has the Lalique glass panels mentioned above.
Chef Jean Imbert’s cheese course on the Venice Simplon Orient Express
Paul Allen/Andfotography2
“To be written into the story of the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a childhood dream come true. I genuinely feel as though the stars have aligned for me to have this once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am looking forward to sharing my deep passion for the train, through food, with our guests in this season and for years to come,” says Jean Imbert, Chef, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Chef Imbert chooses ingredients sourced from local farmers and producers: from breakfast served in the comfort of guests’ own cabin, to lunch, afternoon tea, canapés during aperitivo hour in 3674 Bar Car, the social heart of the train, and dinner. Superb ingredients aside, the Chef and his team also deserve major kudos for producing Michelin-level food in the train’s tiny kitchen.
The Journey and Experience
When you’re not relaxing in your own cabin and taking in the lovely scenery, before or after meals, passengers can enjoy the congenial atmosphere of the opulent Bar Car. The Veuve Clicquot Solaire journeys offer free flowing champagne plus singers, musicians and cabaret performers gathered around, believe it or not, a grand piano. How the Burlesque dancers manage to look graceful with their high kicks between the narrow aisles is the real unsolveable mystery.
All Aboard The Andean Explorer
The final Veuve Clicquot Solaire trip in October this year will be in Peru, starting with the first night in Cusco at Palacio Nazarenas. A city tour and champagne paired dinner in the gilded chapel of sister hotel Monasterio will complete the first part of the trip.
Day two will be a journey to the famed Inca citadel of Machu Picchu on board the Hiram Bingham, a Belmond train. Peruvian lunch and later dinner with rare Veuve Clicquot vintages will be served with on-board entertainment. After a second night in Cusco, you’ll board the Andean Explorer and settle into your cabin to admire the views including the stunning La Raya mountain range. Another highlight of the trip will be a sunrise experience at Lake Titicaca, before you take a traditional boat ride to the islands of the Uros, extraordinary artificial islands created from carefully woven reeds. The next day, the 8000-year-old Sumbay caves, and the breathtaking scenery of Lake Lagunillas, are sure to leave a lasting impression before the train alights in Arequipa.
Practicalities
The next departure of the Venice Simplon Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul is 23 August 2024, with prices starting at £17,500 per passenger.
The next Veuve Clicquot Solaire journey is 21-26 October 2024. Cusco to Arequipa and Machu Picchu on the Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train and Andean Explorer, A Belmond Train is from US$15,000 per person.
This story was originally published on forbes.com and all figures are in USD.
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