Belmond, the luxury company behind the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), made a historic announcement this week that will delight those who love luxury European luxury train travel. The company said that in June 2024, the VSOE will travel to the Italian Riviera for the first time on a three-night experience that links Paris and the Ligurian coastal resort of Portofino. Once in Portofino, guests check into the Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, for two nights.
I was fortunate to take the VSOE back in the early 90s, from London to Venice, on one of the most memorable journeys of my life. The experience of traveling in beautifully appointed Art Deco vintage train carriages made a deep impression. So did a languorous cocktail hour as we slipped through the French countryside and a multi-course dinner as we glided through Paris. I awakened to vistas of the snow-covered Swiss Alps as the train paused to take on fresh croissants and, in those days, newly printed copies of that day’s International Herald Tribune. The onward to Italy. It was and is the only way to arrive in Venice for those given to superlatives with a touch of snobbery.
A year or so later, I first stayed at the Splendido, one of the world's most spectacular and romantic hotels. This former 16th-century Benedictine monastery is perched on the lush hillside above the town and the bay of Portofino. There is nothing remotely monastic about the place. Sybaritic would be a better description. A favorite of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton, as well as contemporary celebrities like Madonna and George Clooney, it offers one of those rare hotel experiences where the total of luxury, location, and views make you feel like the star in your movie.
Combining these two experiences is genius and should appeal to those who think luxury rail is the way to go. This train trip is not remotely about merely getting from A to B. It’s about savoring the onboard experience, traveling in vintage cars, being waited upon by a top-notch staff, and enjoying this Agatha Christie-era mode of train travel.
The three-night experience will be offered only once next year, from June 20-23, 2024.
The trip commences in Paris and then travels leisurely through the French countryside. In time, everyone gathers in Bar Car ‘3674’ for handcrafted cocktails and live music by the VSOE’s resident pianist. The train slips past the cities of Dijon, Lyon, and Avignon, and a new summer menu by Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert will be served in the VSOE’s restaurant cars: Côte d’Azur, L’Oriental, and Étoile du Nord. Wines from the train’s extensive collection accompany each course. Post-dinner, The Uppertones, a three-person band playing Swing, Boogie, and
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New non-stop flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Verona (Italy), Narvik-Lofoten Islands (Norway) and Kalamata (Greece). Resumption of service to Minneapolis (Minnesota, USA). Extension through summer of service to Raleigh-Durham (North Carolina, USA), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and Tromsø (Norway).
“Creating a new home for Café Boulud has been my focus and priority for the last year,” Chef Daniel Boulud explains. “Given the special place it holds in my heart, I feel very fortunate to be able to bring it back to the Upper East Side and look forward to sharing it with our guests, The restaurant will be a vibrant celebration of my French roots and love for New York.”
The city of Boston is equipped with a wealth of historic neighborhoods, with districts ranging from the dazzling Back Bay to the ultra-Italian North End—but the Bay State charm doesn’t end once you hit the edge of the waterfront. East of the city’s coastline, the waters of Boston Harbor are peppered with idyllic islands, many of which sport fascinating forts and scenic landscapes. During the warmer months, visitors are welcome to hop on a ferry and explore the region, but in the dead of winter, there’s one fascinating event that’s particularly suited for both local and visiting birders.
The Vietage by Anantara announces the introduction of a second railway carriage, which will operate a daily return journey between Nha Trang and Quy Nhon commencing its first journey on 15th May 2024.
Ask people to name the places they’ve visited in the Caribbean and Bequia isn’t the first name you’ll hear. That’s an advantage — especially when you want all the beaches, beauty and local charm of an island vacation without feeling like you’re surrounded by more tourists than sand. And for the ultimate escape look no further than the newly opened Grenadine Villas overlooking Friendship Bay Beach, from the island’s top resort Bequia Beach Hotel.
Situated around 20 miles from Spain on the tip of North Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, Tangier has been a coveted naval prize for centuries. Phoenicia, the Roman Empire, various Islamic caliphates, Portugal, Spain, England and France all laid claim to this hilly port town. After World War II, the city was an international zone — administered by several countries — until Morocco achieved independence in 1956 and regained full control of it. It was this colorful heritage and these scenic surroundings that helped to entice a steady stream of writers, artists and eccentrics in the mid-20th century, the city’s bohemian heyday.
“That’s the restaurant I could never get into in Rome,” said the woman walking behind me on Soho’s MacDougal Street to her friend. “Now I can’t get into the one in New York either.” Roscioli, the restaurant in question, a mixed street level trattoria/salumeria and basement level tasting menu dining room has definitely been a tough table to get since its phased opening: the downstairs dining room in July and the A La Carte street level space in October. But for those who persevere (for walk in tables and a few reservations on Resy), lively, authentic, classic dishes will transport them instantly to Rome.
Safety is top of mind for many travelers as they plan out their trips for 2024 and beyond. But for those in the LGBTQ community, and their allies, knowing which countries are welcoming towards gay travelers is an important consideration. Part of measuring that sentiment is knowing where residents stand on rights, including same-sex marriage. The Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about issues and attitudes shaping the world, released a new study showing which country’s residents support same-sex marriage the most, and which countries have the lowest level of support.
WHY IT RATES: As the world collectively strives for a more environmentally conscious future, The Nordics presents a compelling tapestry of new and enhanced experiences across the region to propel this effort. —Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Managing Editor
Paris is the global capital of romance but the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games bring yet another reason to summer in the City of Lights. The Games is that rare sporting event that works its magic on all kinds of travelers and adds a unique twist to a vacation. In addition to the Olympic Village in the suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, major landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Place de la Concorde will be transformed into venues. Pencil in a date night at one of these romantic Airbnbs close to the Paris Olympic sites.
The countdown has begun: France will welcome the 2024 Summer Olympic Games from July 26 until August 11 with the Paralympic Games following from August 28 to September 8. Paris and the Île-de-France region form the cradle of the action where the spectacle will kick off at 8:24 p.m. sharp (or, 20:24 – touché).
Ready to depart next Summer, the extravagant Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, will travel to the Italian Riviera for the very first time in its four-decade history, connecting Paris and Portofino. The new, annual overnight journey will see the train winding through the French countryside and along the coastline of the Mediterranean Riviera, concluding at Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino, where guests will stay for two nights.