Parting from your cruise can be such sweet sorrow – but not if you end your cruise in Venice and escape with a journey aboard the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The northbound train route travelling from Venice to London delivers a wonderfully different experience to that of the southbound journey. You’ll gain fabulous views of the Dolomites, enjoy a lobster brunch and stop to stretch your legs in Innsbruck. And you’ll enjoy the thrill of exchanging the balmy weather of La Serenissima for the dramatically cooler air of Austria’s snowy Alpine landscapes. To really travel in style, stay in one of their Grand Suites – spread out in your own plush lounge with opulent marble bathroom and relish indulgent extras such as free-flowing champagne and private dining.
After crossing the English Channel, you’ll board Belmond British Pullman for the United Kingdom leg of the journey. Make sure to have a peek in Phoenix and Perseus, two carriages recently returned from a major spruce-up in Clermont-Ferrand. Artist Philippe Allemand and his talented team have created beautiful, bespoke marquetry for the art deco carriages. For Phoenix, the design is inspired by the mythical bird’s ascent from the ashes. Admire the polished wood offset by vibrant new upholstery.
On arrival in the capital, your Belmond adventure may now continue at Belmond's first and newly-opened London hotel, a stone’s throw from London's Victoria Station. Set on Sloane Street at the crossroads of Knightsbridge and Chelsea, Belmond Cadogan Hotel is steeped in evocative history. It was here that actress Lillie Langtry had secret assignations with the Prince of Wales and became close friends with fellow resident Oscar Wilde. The bright young people of the 1920s – bohemian artists and socialites – adopted the hotel as their meeting place. In the 1980s, Vogue models and photographers were drawn to its quintessential Britishness.
Today, vibrant past and present meet in the five sensitively restored Queen Anne buildings. Walk into gorgeous wood paneling, mosaic flooring and stained-glass windows to feel both a buzz of anticipation and the calming sensation of arriving home. Staff wearing uniforms inspired by the area’s iconic trendsetters, such as Mary Quant, warmly greet you. Step out of a secret door to enjoy privileged access to Cadogan Place Gardens to sit beneath the 300-year old mulberry tree, or play tennis on possibly the most exclusive courts in town.
Savour Modern British cuisine at Belmond's destination restaurant Adam Handling in Chelsea, where a zero-waste ethos and Chef’s Table showcase the team’s epicurean talents. Admire the unique curated art collection, comprising around 400 original handpicked pieces from a wealth of UK-based artists. Then head outside to explore the unrivaled shopping, fashion and arts scenes on the doorstep.
Enjoy our exclusive benefits at the Belmond Cadogan: Full breakfast daily for two people, USD100 food & beverage credit, comp Wi-Fi, upgrade/early check in/late check out subject to availability at check in.
Quay Travel, your local travel experts. Phone 0800 782 987, email info@quaytravel.co.nz, or come visit us at 2/49 Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay.
Parking available. Expert advice and great coffee!
