BELMOND

A legendary journey

aboard the

Venice Simplon -

Orient - Express

The original icon of the rails , Venice Simplon - Orient -

Express , A Belmond Train , has been at the forefront of

luxury rail travel since its first journey in 1982 . The

history of this legendary train began in 1977 , when

Belmond ’ s founder , James B . Sherwood , bought

two   original Art Deco sleeping cars at a Sotheby ’ s

auction in Monte Carlo with the ambition to bring back

to life the “ golden age of travel ” . Today , guests criss -

cross Europe ’ s most dramatic landscapes and uncover

some of the world ’ s most fabled cities , such as Vienna ,

Rome , Florence , Paris , Venice and Istanbul . In 2025 ,

the   new L ’ Observatoire sleeper carriage was unveiled :

a work of art on wheels , designed by French artist JR ,

celebrating the train s legacy and tradition of fine

craftsmanship With a unique aesthetic inspired by

astronomical observatories and Renaissance Europe s

cabinets of curiosities L Observatoire replicates the

spirit of JR s Parisian art studio with a selection of

distinctive objects and personal keepsakes offering

guests an immersive experience designed to spark

their curiosity