The Orient Express first departed on October 4, 1883. The train was created by Belgian entrepreneur Georges Nagelmackers and his company, Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. The route connected Paris and Constantinople (now Istanbul), passing through Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest. It was the first train to offer Europeans long-distance travel in true luxury.
Interesting information
– The interiors of the carriages were decorated in the Art Deco style: rare types of wood, velvet, crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows by René Lalique.
– The restaurant’s menu included oysters, beef fillet, game dishes and the best European wines.
Kings, diplomats, writers, and artists have traveled on the train, including Franz Joseph, Elizabeth II, Leo Tolstoy, and Mata Hari.
Agatha Christie was inspired by a trip on the Orient Express and wrote the novel Murder on the Orient Express, making the train part of world culture.
Facts and figures
– The first train consisted of only 5 cars: two passenger cars, a restaurant car, a baggage car, and a service car.
– In 1919, a new Simplon-Orient-Express route was opened via Milan and Venice, which made it possible to avoid the unstable Balkans.
– In the 1930s, the train was considered “the most luxurious in the world” and carried up to 120 passengers.
– The last direct flight from Paris to Istanbul took place in 1977.
Stories
The Orient Express has witnessed many historic events. Service was suspended during World War I, and during World War II, the train was used to transport troops. During the interwar period, it became a symbol of the "golden age of travel," when wealthy tourists discovered Europe in an atmosphere of refined luxury.
One legend is that it was in the Orient Express carriage in 1920 that the armistice document between Bulgaria and the Entente countries was signed.
Tourist places
Today, the original Orient Express route can be recreated as tourist trips:
– Paris – Venice: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the modern heir to the legend.
– Istanbul: Historical carriages are preserved in the railway museum.
– Brussels: CIWL headquarters and train history archives.
– London: Orient Express Hotel, styled to resemble the interior of train carriages.
Recommendations for tourists
– If you want to touch the legend, choose the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which runs between London, Paris and Venice.
– The best time to travel is spring and autumn, when the views outside the window are especially picturesque.
– The cost of a ticket can reach several thousand euros, so it’s worth booking in advance.
– For a complete immersion in the atmosphere, we recommend bringing evening attire: dinners on the train are held in the style of the “golden age.”
Conclusion
The Orient Express is more than a train. It is a symbol of an era when travel was not just about getting from point A to point B, but also about enjoying the journey. Its history is the history of Europe, its culture, style, and pursuit of beauty. Today, its legend lives on in tourist routes, preserving the spirit of luxury and romance.
The Orient Express first departed on October 4, 1883. The train was created by Belgian entrepreneur Georges Nagelmackers and his company, Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. The route connected Paris and Constantinople (now Istanbul), passing through Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest. It was the first train to offer Europeans long-distance travel in true luxury.
Interesting information
– The interiors of the carriages were decorated in the Art Deco style: rare types of wood, velvet, crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows by René Lalique.
– The restaurant’s menu included oysters, beef fillet, game dishes and the best European wines.
Kings, diplomats, writers, and artists have traveled on the train, including Franz Joseph, Elizabeth II, Leo Tolstoy, and Mata Hari.
Agatha Christie was inspired by a trip on the Orient Express and wrote the novel Murder on the Orient Express, making the train part of world culture.
Facts and figures
– The first train consisted of only 5 cars: two passenger cars, a restaurant car, a baggage car, and a service car.
– In 1919, a new Simplon-Orient-Express route was opened via Milan and Venice, which made it possible to avoid the unstable Balkans.
– In the 1930s, the train was considered “the most luxurious in the world” and carried up to 120 passengers.
– The last direct flight from Paris to Istanbul took place in 1977.
Stories
The Orient Express has witnessed many historic events. Service was suspended during World War I, and during World War II, the train was used to transport troops. During the interwar period, it became a symbol of the "golden age of travel," when wealthy tourists discovered Europe in an atmosphere of refined luxury.
One legend is that it was in the Orient Express carriage in 1920 that the armistice document between Bulgaria and the Entente countries was signed.
Tourist places
Today, the original Orient Express route can be recreated as tourist trips:
– Paris – Venice: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the modern heir to the legend.
– Istanbul: Historical carriages are preserved in the railway museum.
– Brussels: CIWL headquarters and train history archives.
– London: Orient Express Hotel, styled to resemble the interior of train carriages.
Recommendations for tourists
– If you want to touch the legend, choose the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which runs between London, Paris and Venice.
– The best time to travel is spring and autumn, when the views outside the window are especially picturesque.
– The cost of a ticket can reach several thousand euros, so it’s worth booking in advance.
– For a complete immersion in the atmosphere, we recommend bringing evening attire: dinners on the train are held in the style of the “golden age.”
Conclusion
The Orient Express is more than a train. It is a symbol of an era when travel was not just about getting from point A to point B, but also about enjoying the journey. Its history is the history of Europe, its culture, style, and pursuit of beauty. Today, its legend lives on in tourist routes, preserving the spirit of luxury and romance.