Verona to Paris: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – A Tale of Two Cities
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From the Gates of Verona to the Heart of Paris
Begin your journey in Verona, the city of star-crossed lovers and ancient Roman grandeur. While most associate the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with its namesake city, departing from Verona offers a uniquely intimate start to this world-famous voyage. As you board the midnight-blue carriages at Verona Porta Nuova, you aren’t just taking a train; you are stepping into a living history of 1920s glamour.
The Verona to Paris route is a celebration of the senses. As the Italian lakeside and mountain foothills begin to roll past your window, you’ll settle into a cabin defined by polished wood, plush velvet, and the attentive service of your personal steward. Your day evolves from a refined afternoon tea to a night of high-fashion and high-gastronomy in the dining cars, eventually culminating in a grand arrival in Paris. The world’s undisputed capital of style.
Itinerary
DAY ONE: Italian Romance and Midnight Revelry
The Grand Departure
Your journey begins at Verona Porta Nuova station in the early afternoon. As the gleaming blue-and-gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express pull into the platform, you are welcomed by your personal steward and shown to your historic cabin. As the train departs the city of Romeo and Juliet, settle into your plush armchair for a traditional afternoon tea while the evocative Italian countryside and the foothills of the Alps begin to unfold outside your window.
A Gastronomic Evening
As evening falls, the train transforms into the world’s most glamorous social club. Dress in your finest black-tie attire for a magnificent four-course dinner in one of the three 1920s restaurant cars, where Chef Jean Imbert’s seasonal menu takes center stage. The night continues in Bar Car ‘3674’, where the resident pianist plays as cocktails are served.
The Midnight Brunch
For those who wish to linger, a unique “Midnight Brunch” is served in the Bar Car. This is a signature of the northward route, featuring lobster rolls and truffled sandwiches—the ultimate indulgence as you criss-cross through the night toward the French border.
DAY TWO: Alpine Dawns and a Parisian Finale
Breakfast in the Clouds
Wake to a new day as the train traverses the lush landscapes of the French countryside or the soaring peaks of the mountains. A classic French breakfast—consisting of fresh coffee, fruit, and hot pastries—is served in your cabin by your steward, allowing you to breakfast in bed as the scenery evolves from Italian peaks to rolling vineyards.
The Midday Feast
Spend your final morning exploring the train’s opulent carriages or visiting the onboard boutique. A celebratory three-course lunch is served in the dining cars at noon, offering one last chance to enjoy the train’s world-class gastronomy and fine sommelier-selected wines.
Arrival in the City of Light
All too soon, the train glides into Paris Gare de l’Est in the early afternoon. Your journey concludes in the heart of the French capital, leaving you perfectly positioned to continue your adventure in the world’s most stylish city.
Explore the complete guide to cabins, dining, and the storied history of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
About this trip
The Romantic Northbound Crossing
A journey that begins in the city of the world’s most famous lovers and travels through the dramatic Italian landscape and Alpine passes, concluding with a grand midday arrival in the French capital.
3 countries: Italy, Austria, France
Departure Months
Select Months – Contact us for live availability
What's included
1 NIGHT ONBOARD THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Retreat to a private cabin within the train’s original 1920s and 30s Wagons-Lits carriages. Each cabin is a masterpiece of Art Deco design, featuring polished wood marquetry, plush upholstery, and luxury linens. By day, your cabin offers a comfortable lounge seat; by night, it is expertly transformed into a cozy bedroom.
TRAVEL & ATMOSPHERE
Experience the “Golden Age of Travel” as you traverse the continent in a living museum. You have full access to the train’s historic social spaces, including the legendary Bar Car ‘3674’ with its resident pianist, and the three uniquely themed dining cars—Côte d’Azur, Etoile du Nord, and L’Oriental.
À la carte meals
Afternoon tea, a 3-course Lunch, a 4-course Dinner with wine and a Celebration Breakfast
COMPLIMENTARY STATION TRANSFER
As a signature inclusion for this route, enjoy a private transfer from your Verona accommodation to the station for departure.
DEDICATED STEWARD SERVICE
Full attendance throughout your journey to transform your cabin from day-to-night configuration and assist with every request.
Sightseeing highlights
The Italian Lake District & Foothills: Departing Verona in the early afternoon allows for a stunning daytime transition through the Italian countryside. Keep your camera ready as the train passes the edges of the northern lakes and begins its climb into the dramatic foothills of the Alps.
The Brenner Pass or Arlberg Route: Depending on the specific seasonal path, the train traverses the spine of Europe. This northward climb offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the world, featuring high-altitude viaducts and sweeping views of snow-capped peaks.
The Rolling Vineyards of France: On Day Two, the rugged mountain scenery softens into the romantic, undulating hills of the French countryside. This is the perfect backdrop for your final three-course lunch as you approach the outskirts of Paris.
Art Deco Dining Carriages: Each meal is a journey in itself, hosted in one of three meticulously restored 1920s cars. Admire the floral marquetry of Étoile du Nord, the exotic black lacquer of L’Oriental, or the world-famous René Lalique glass panels found in the Côte d’Azur carriage.
Gastronomy by Jean Imbert: Experience a new era of culinary excellence. Celebrated French chef Jean Imbert has reimagined the onboard menus, blending classical precision with seasonal ingredients sourced from local artisans along the route to Paris.
A Grand Parisian Entrance: There is no arrival quite like pulling into Gare de l’Est. The station’s grand 19th-century architecture provides a fittingly cinematic end to your journey as you step off the blue-and-gold carriages and into the heart of the “City of Light.”
The Bressenden difference
HERITAGE & HISTORY – Step into a Living Time Capsule.
Every carriage on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has a story, from transporting royalty across Europe to surviving the shifts of the 20th century. Bressenden Travel provides guests with detailed insights into the train’s historic “consist,” helping travelers discover the secret past and unique craftsmanship of the very cabin they occupy.
LOCAL SPECIALIST – Maître d’ & Head Chef Jean Imbert.
While on board, you aren’t just a passenger; you are a guest of world-renowned culinary experts. Learn about the provenance of your meal during an informal “Kitchen Talk,” where the staff explain how they source fresh lobsters from Brittany or seasonal salt-marsh lamb to be prepared in a kitchen no larger than a walk-in wardrobe.
ICONIC AMBIENCE – The Social Heart of the Journey.
Evening begins in the legendary Bar Car ‘3674,’ where the “Golden Age” of travel remains a daily reality. The resident pianist performs jazz standards on a baby grand piano, while the clink of crystal and the hum of conversation create a sophisticated atmosphere that has captivated travelers for over a century.
AUTHENTIC DINING – A Gastronomic Gala on Rails.
Passengers experience three distinct dining environments, each with its own personality. From the Lalique glass-adorned Côte d’Azur to the exotic black-lacquered L’Oriental. Meals are multi-course events paired with exceptional wines, ranging from elegant silver-service breakfasts to the famous midnight brunch.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE – Seamless Planning & Protection.
Bressenden Travel manages the intricate details of the booking process, from cabin selection to advice on station transfers. Benefit from expert guidance, low deposit schemes, and the peace of mind that comes with booking a luxury journey through a protected travel partner.
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