How luxury trains perfect the art of travel

Like a private party bus — only ultra-luxurious and on rails. From the Simplon-Orient-Express to the British Pullman: trains have become the new icons of the ​“art of travel.” And those with something to celebrate book private carriages. And what carriages they are.

A hidden library filled with hundreds of books that, upon closer inspection, reveals itself as a secret door. Behind it: a private tea salon — with a fireplace and oculus-shaped skylights opening up to the sky. An en-suite bathroom with a freestanding marble bathtub, a private lounge. Add 24-hour butler service and every imaginable — and unimaginable — form of opulence. ​“L’Observatoire,” designed by Parisian street artist JR, is not a classic luxury compartment but something entirely new: an entire carriage of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, transformed since 2025 into an ultra-exclusive suite. You don’t simply travel from A to B here — you merge the act of travel with the luxury of time.

The interior continues this idea and takes it further. At first glance, it seems like a tribute to the 1920s — and to some extent, it is. Fine woods, inlays, geometric elegance, exquisite craftsmanship — it all fits. Yet in L’Observatoire, time does not stand still; it begins to reinvent itself. Rooted in Art Deco, the design transcends it — something you notice on the second and third look, time you have when the world slowly rolls by. L’Observatoire becomes a kind of modern cabinet of curiosities — a space that surprises and reassembles the world in miniature. Routes vary: from the classic Paris – Istanbul journey to the popular London – Venice connection. But that’s almost secondary. Trains of this caliber place the journey itself at the center, after decades dominated by speed and efficiency.

Behind the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express stands Belmond, a brand with British roots, now part of the global LVMH group. That alone is a promise. And this May, Belmond raises the bar again — this time with the British Pullman, which operates exclusively in the UK. With ​“Celia,” a dining carriage has been introduced that truly deserves the phrase ​“a cinematic masterpiece.” Director Baz Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge,” ​“The Great Gatsby”) and award-winning production designer Catherine Martin have created far more than a train carriage for private events — though that is its purpose. ​“Celia” is not just a name; it’s a tribute to a fictional West End icon from 1932. The Hollywood creatives emphasize real influences, such as Sir Laurence Olivier, who often took the Pullman train home after theatre performances. In their narrative, Celia herself travels with friends after a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—naturally on this very train.

A completely different approach defines the ​“La Dolce Vita Orient Express,” launched last year by the Accor Group for journeys across — unsurprisingly — Italy. To clarify: the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is Belmond’s historic luxury train, while Accor’s new Orient Express brings the brand into the present with modern journeys, future routes to Paris and Istanbul, hotels, and even a yacht. La Dolce Vita bears the signature of Milan’s Dimorestudio — and they delivered. The project captures the spirit of 1960s Italy: Dolce Vita, Riviera glamour, jet-set travel, cinema culture, social elegance — without falling into cliché. Polished surfaces, brass details, and refined materials create a warm, luxurious atmosphere. Whether private soirées or everyday indulgence, the train can be fully chartered or enjoyed carriage by carriage. Even the lounge at Rome’s station is spectacular — every detail has been considered. And while L’Observatoire, Celia, and La Dolce Vita may not be attainable for everyone: even securing a regular ticket — no small feat, as in Japan some luxury trains require winning a lottery — offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With Belmond, for instance, that might include a Dior spa on board — pure privacy included.

The book ​“Legendary Train Journeys” (Lonely Planet, October 2025) is a visually rich compendium of the world’s most remarkable rail journeys — from simple to luxurious, slow to fast, historic to futuristic. Includes a practical guide section — but be warned: wanderlust guaranteed.

Don’t miss a thing — we’ll keep you up to date!

Sign up for our newsletter.