The luxury train ride from Paris to Italy that will cost $8,500 for a one-way ticket

The luxury train ride from Paris to Italy that will cost $8,500 for a one-way ticket

 Straight on the heels of Europe’s most iconic train route striking the UK capital from its list of destinations, the “Orient Express” has scheduled a trip to the Ligurian coastline for summer 2024. The train – whose full mouthful of a name is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe – will pootle from Paris to Portofino across two days in June. In November, the company stopped running its British Pullman service which linked the Paris-Venice route to London.

Despite the name, this new route won’t go anywhere near Venice. The VSOE, as it’s known, will start in Paris at 3 p.m., wind through France past Dijon, Lyon and Avignon, and then trundle along the Côte d’Azur, before crossing into Italy. The end of the tracks will be in Santa Margherita Ligure, the gateway town to Portofino at 1 p.m. the following day. Guests will be transferred to Portofino and check in for two nights at the famous Splendido hotel – full name Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino.

Prices start from around $8,525 per person for the three nights, but this being Belmond, passengers will get a lot of swank for their buck. Menus are planned by Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert, and any imbibing will be accompanied by either the resident pianist or a swing band in the evening. For those wanting to really push the boat (or train) out, there are eight new suites onboard that debuted in 2023.

Meanwhile, at the Splendido – a 16th-century monastery overlooking Portofino’s famous harbour, complete with newly renovated rooms and a saltwater pool – guests will get a five-course tasting menu by Imbert (who’ll be there in person), followed by cocktails, on Friday night. On the Saturday, they’ll get a private outdoor film screening on Portofino’s famous Piazzetta. It’ll be the first time that the train has visited the Italian Riviera, but it won’t be the last. It’s planned to be an annual event, with 2025 dates to be confirmed.