I had lunch the other day with one of my new colleagues, a very interesting and likeable man, who told me about a trip he and his wife had recently on the Orient Express, from London to Venice. They aren't, I think, crime fans, but he is very well travelled and appreciates authenticity in his trips abroad, and seemed very happy to have done the trip.
To me, it all sounded fascinating (though evidently expensive) and I have a feeling that a Christie fan such as me really ought to do it once in his life. Murder on the Orient Express, after all, remains one of the classic crime titles, though it's by no means my personal favourite among Christie's books.
But, I'd be interested to find out whether other readers of this blog have actually ventured aboard the Orient Express, even if only for a short trip. Did it live up to expectations? Is the atmosphere still reminscent of the days of Poirot? Is the Christie connection featured on the journey in any way? I'd love to know!
I have not done this trip but I did know a couple who did it in its early days (in its new incarnation of course!) and who said it was a rip-off, and not very enjoyable. But that was some years ago. I think it is sensible to get a bit of (more recent than mine!) feedback before deciding, though, as like a cruise one is kind of stuck once started.
ReplyDeleteThe nearest I've been to The Orient Express is a glimpse of it going past. I would like to do the oriiginal journey: Paris to Istanbul.
ReplyDeleteIt's on my bucket list. :) I'd absolutely love to go on the Orient Express. I have a feeling that, if I do, the trip will be far into my future!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on the Orient Express so nothing to report. I'd like to though.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking that, although Christie "owns" it, it is also Graham Greene's Stamboul Train. Not one of his better books but it has these (very dated) lines:
'You are English?'
'How did you know?'
'I always like to think the best of people.'
That's from memory so may not be an exact quote.
Seth
Dear Richard,
ReplyDeleteThe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is an unforgettable experience, we have a full schedule of trips planned for the upcoming 2012 season, we travel to destinations such Venice, Paris, Prague and Budapest, if you would like to find out more please visit our site: www.vsoe.com.
We also have the British Pullman which is one of our sister trains to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express that travel around the UK. Some of our key journeys this season on the British Pullman are Cheltenham Gold Cup Races, 1920s Dinner and our Signature journey The Golden Age of Travel. To see our full schedule please visit: www.orient-express.com/uktrains
I have also included a couple of links from bloggers who have travelled with us on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the British Pullman:
http://www.pret-a-voyager.com/2011/10/journey-like-no-other-on-orient-express.html
http://www.candaceroserardon.com/2012/02/valentines-day-ideas/
If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact us at oereservations.uk@orient-express.com.
Have you read Andrew Eames's THE 8:55 from BAGHDAD? Its subtitle is, From London to Iraq on the Trail of Agatha Christie and the Orient Express. Eames follows the Orient Express (as much as is possible in the modern day with so much trouble in the mid-east) that Christie herself took in 1928. There are lots of interesting side stories (I thought Eames's take on modern-day Trieste could have been a book in itself) as Eames (a travel writer rather than a mystery fan) attempts to follow the route that obviously gave inspiration to Christie's book.
ReplyDelete