Orient Express today

Very early, during the World War I, Orient Express service introduced new routes. Since the usual route from Paris to Istanbul was suspended, a new route over Milan, Venice and Trieste was allowed instead. Soon after, the Orient Express was running parallel services.

Today, Orient Express, no longer offers the original well-known route. They are running somewhat shorter routes all around Europe but with the quality and the experience that stays remembered by anyone who takes one of those remarkable trips. The closest route to the original Orient Express that you can take today is the one that starts in Paris and then passes through Budapest, Sinaia, Bucharest and ends in Istanbul.  But there are many other that include The UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Watch the video of an old English couple traveling through The UK on Orient Express train Southern Belle.There are some really great scenes that show the landscapes.

Once you begin your journey, your personal steward will show you your compartment and help you with everything you need. All dishes are freshly prepared on board andOrient served in front of you. Breakfasts and afternoon teas are served in compartments. Special requests, like asking for vegetarian or vegan menu, can be made at the time of booking. In the evening your steward will transform your compartment in a bedroom. And, of course, except from the spectacular scenery and amazing menus, you can enjoy the bar and the boutique. Here is a video from the Orient Express passengers about their experience while travelling…

Remember there is only one rule, you can never get overdressed and never enjoy too much…

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

History of Orient Express

Probably the most popular train in the world travels through Europe. You already know its name – it’s Orient Express. I believe many travelers around the world have at least once wanted to get on board and travel the famous route, taking the role of a passenger that travelled that way at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. I know I have…

The original journey, as we know it, started in Paris and passed through (Strasbourg, Munich) Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest and ended in Istanbul. It first ran in 1883. But the route changed many times. During World War I Orient Express service was even suspended. At the end of the war it ran again, but changed it’s route; Istanbul – Sofia – Belgrade – Venice – Milan – Lausanne – Paris. During World War II, similar thing happened. It couldn’t run properly because some areas were closed and in other parts it was sabotages because of political issues. Eventually it was cut to Venice to Paris part only.

The coaches of the authentic Orient Express were the place of many historical scenes and intrigues. One of the sleeping coaches, no. 3309, was a part of the train that was in 1929. stuck in snow for 10 days about a 100 km from Istanbul. The passengers only survived because the locals from the villages in the neighbourhood helped. Some of the coaches were a German loot during World War II. Even Bulgarian king Boris the Third was a train enthusiast and sometimes drove it himself.

But I’m sure that a lot of you remember Orient Express by Agatha Christie’s novel Murder in the Orient Express. Another amazing story led by the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The journey with Orient Express was called “The birthplaces of the Empires”. Very early its name became a synonymous of luxury travel. Today, the train is, of course, completely restored but the route from Paris to Istanbul no longer exists.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

Train travel enthusiast

By now you probably  know I love travelling by train. Very often when someone asks me what is the best way to see the countryside, or how to get to know more of the country except the final destination, I suggest the train. Well, there are always the benefits and the limitations. Looking at the overall picture, when I was reading a blog called cool travel guide where Lara was talking on a series of posts about it, I got myself into thinking why I liked it so much…

There’s always the dreamy, romantic point of view that reminds you of the long hours spent travelling, looking out the window, getting inspired by the amazing scenery. Some might add a book, some might write, but sometimes a cup of coffee or perhaps a glass of wine with a little cheese is just what you need to make your journey special. Maybe I’m taking it too far now, but I just remembered the movie “French kiss” with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. It’s an old one, do you remember it? When they travel by train in France to Cannes where he plans to grow his own vineyard?? That does it for me…

Other than that…do you like travelling by train? What is your favorite thing about it, why do you do it? If I compare it to other types of travel…hm, lets see. Travelling by car is tiring and can be stressful if it’s a long trip. It get uncomfortable but you have the freedom that you don’t have when you’re travelling by train. I don’t like buses at all, so that rules them out. Travelling by plane is quick and comfortable…well, depends where you are sitting. I like when a plane takes off and lands. Some of you right now are probably thinking “What?? Are you kidding me?!”, but I do. It’s interesting at first, then you easily become bored of the clouds and mountains or if you’re stuck flying for hours and hours over Syberia, I think you get the picture. And finally…cruising. Not the biggest fan though I think it all depends on the size of the ship and where you are cruising. People most of their cruise spend inside, not being aware that they are on the sea. It’ s just one big open space. What I can recommend for sure that you’ll enjoy is Croatian side of the Adriatic sea and Norwegian fjords. Nothing like it…

And here we are, at the beginning again… the ever changing scenery that you can only experience travelling by train wins. It’s the best way to get the know the country a little better, to see and experience more of it all.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

Eurail Passes – train travel

This is for all non-European residents travelling across Europe by train. Eurail passes are basically the same as InterRail passes. The company cooperates with 30 European railways and shipping lines which makes Europe accessible for everyone.

There are 4 types of passes you can purchase:

- Global Pass is valid in 20 countries

- Select Pass is valid in 3, 4 or 5 countries (which ever you decide)

- Regional Pass is valid for one or more countries situated in the geographical area (ex. Scandinavia – includes Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden)

- One Country Pass

Prices depend on the type of the pass; you can choose between continuous passes (valid throughout a certain number of days) or a regular, decide how many days you’re going to travel/use train transportation during your vacation and find the best option.

Youth passes are valid for people under 26 and are cheaper but available only for 2nd class. Adults can buy 1st or 2nd class tickets. What I like about Eurail is that they provide Saver passes – if you are travelling with one or more people, you can get a discount.

You order your passes online and they send it to you by FedEx. Eurail website also provides you with timetables, maps, you can make reservations and a lot of good detailed information. Eurail includes travel with high-speed, scenic and hotel trains. Find out what your options are and take advantage of all the benefits.

Research alternative routes or use domestic trains if you need to save some money. They are slower but cheaper.

If you are planning to travel with a European friend that has to use InterRail pass you can. You are both allowed on most trains. InterRail and Eurail don’t have the same product range so sometimes you can find yourself in a silly situation. Make sure you plan your trip and check all the railroad companies.

For more information about train travel and passes go here.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

InterRail review – travel by train

Maybe not the first idea that pops on your mind when travelling through Europe but let me change your mind. Europe has over 40,000 railway stations. Yes, you heard right…

Before I go into reviewing a website that I chose to show you today, let me state a few benefits of travelling by train. Train stations are usually situated in the centers of large cities because most of the railways are old and a few hundred years ago, cities were a lot smaller. Newer parts grew around stations. Central stations were and still are railway stations. That knocks out additional transportation from airport, sometimes bus stations etc. When travelling by train you have the possibility to see a lot more of the scenery of the countries you travel through. Imagine that, to actually be able to get to know a lot more places and get a certain feeling; than to just read a paragraph from a paperback guide about it. They are a lot more comfortable that buses and if you take a long distance train or a night train at some point of your trip, you can relax and sleep in couchettes (mixed compartments usually with bunk beds). You can, almost always, take as much baggage as you want; but also think of it in a way…how much can I carry around with me? Trains are not necessarily slow, you can choose high-speed trains, where possible. And, don’t forget, trains are a green choice!

InterRail is a company and a really great website that has all the necessary information about European train travel and provides you with InterRail passes. Passes connect 27+ countries and come as two types: Global and One Country. Global pass is a kind of a general pass; where ever you want to go in Europe, while the pass is valid, you can. And One Country pass is available only for foreigners travelling through one country.

The pass concept is that you buy a number of days during your vacation you want to spend travelling. That means, if you choose 5 in 10 days, 10 days is the period you’ll spend in Europe and 5 of those days you can hop on and off trains with your pass. Or you can just buy a 22 days/ 1 month continuous pass if you want to be more adventurous. For prices go here. Students and generally young people under 26 can get a cheaper pass but it has to be 2nd class. You must order a pass 3 months before your first day of travel and it will be sent to you by mail.

Reservations are not required, but I still would recommend to do so for busy times and routes. They are only required for TGV (high-speed trains) and long distance trains. Baggage is not limited, only by Eurostar and some other hotel trains; always search for that information to make sure.

Your InterRail pass includes even ferry/boat passes where possible. Children under age of 12 get 50% off. Their website also provides all timetables and maps of all railways in Europe. That’s why I love it. They provide all information so you can easily plan your trip. Enjoy InterRail!

*InterRail passes can only be used by European residents. You must have been staying in Europe for more than 6 months on your first day of InterRail pass validity. But, don’t worry, I have found the same train pass for all of you travelling from outside of Europe. I will cover it in my next post.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor