You Can Visit the Italian Riviera on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Starting Summer 2024

14.12.2023 - 15:16 / cntraveler.com / Monte Carlo / Jean Imbert / Express

This summer, travelers can experience the Italian Riviera like never before—by arriving on Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE).

In June 2024, the luxury train will launch its first-ever route to Portofino, the postcard-perfect coastal town on Italy’s Ligurian Sea. The glamorous new itinerary will be an unforgettable journey, departing from Paris in the afternoon and gliding through the French countryside. The next day, travelers arrive in Portofino—but the experience doesn’t end there. Instead, guests will be whisked away to one of Belmond’s iconic oceanfront hotels for a two-night stay.

Here are all the details about this ultimate European summer rail journey.

Cabins aboard the train are arranged and maintained by round-the-clock room attendants, who prepare the beds and convert sleeping berths among other duties.

As the train begins its journey, guests will settle into their private cabins and snack on a French goûter course. Once outside of Paris, passengers will be treated to views of iconic French regions, including Burgundy and Provence. See snapshots of French cities of Dijon, Lyon, and Avignon as the train meanders past.

But don’t spend too long admiring the scenery from your seat—there’s dinner and drinks to be enjoyed inside the train's elegant restaurant and bar cars. Passengers will want to put on their best black-tie ensembles before grabbing a pre-dinner drink in Bar Car 3674, the heart of the train that offers electric atmosphere along with handcrafted cocktails and live piano music.

The train has three dining cars serving food designed by chef Jean Imbert.

When it’s time for dinner, guests will be guided into one of the train’s three sumptuous dining cars for a special summer menu designed by chef Jean Imbert. The acclaimed culinary artist earned a Michelin star at his Paris restaurant Plaza Athénée and is known for “throwing a new light on France’s culinary heritage,” according to the renowned dining guide.

The party will continue into the wee hours back in Bar Car 3674 with a live band called The Uppertones, described by Belmond as “an energetic three-man-band of trombone, vocals, piano, and drums playing Swing, Boogie and Calypso tunes."

When it’s time to call it a night, passengers will return to their cabins to find them thoughtfully arranged by their round-the-clock room attendant, with any sleeping berths converted and all beds prepared with cloud-like linens before falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the train cars.

Passengers will awake to dazzling coastline views along France’s Cote d’Azur, so named for its glittering bright-blue waters. Enjoy a continental breakfast in bed as the train winds by the elegant riviera cities of Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, and