When the modern globe-trotters evoke the golden age of travel, they’re usually referring to the sophisticated jet-setters of the 1950s and ’60s. And yet even that model of luxuriantly civilized air transport pales in comparison to the extravagant trains of the Orient Express during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Operated today by Belmond (and not to be confused with the Accor-managed Orient Express brand), the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a study in opulence from the moment uniformed porters greet you at the station entrance to escort you to your gold-trimmed carriage. With access to three dining rooms and a bar car, you needn’t worry about being confined to your suite—though once you’re ensconced, it’s remarkably easy to spend hours marveling over the details in the captivating space. Each Grand Suite is named for cities along the route—Istanbul, Venice, Budapest—and showcase beautifully inlaid panels, delicate marquetry work, Venetian-style lanterns, and myriad hidden compartments. Large..
