11 Apr The Art of Luxury Train Travel
Belmond introduces a new concept in luxury rail travel with the unveiling of the Eastern & Oriental Express as it has never been seen before. The exterior of two of the iconic carriages of the Eastern & Oriental Express in Asia will showcase a stunning ‘rolling canvas’ by Singapore based street artist, Rajesh Kumar that will remain on the train until 28 April 2017.
Giving new meaning to ‘Art in Motion’, Belmond has worked with creative experts to curate a fully sensory experience that includes collaborating with leading mixologists ‘Cocktail Professor’ on an innovative new cocktail menu and world-class DJ & music producer, Mr Has, for a contemporary soundscape as well as introducing a relaxed dress code of ‘tropical elegance’.
Arnaud Champenois, SVP Brand & Marketing comments “Eastern & Oriental Express is an icon of luxury travel in Asia; the colonial carriages have always evoked the spirit of the golden age of travel and today, as we look to our future heritage, we are revealing a contemporary new look and feel in partnership with some of Asia’s leading creative talent.”
And that’s not all from the Belmond camp…picture the scene…Budapest-Nyugati station.
An air of expectancy hushes the crowds. And then it comes, rumbling through the clouds of vapour: a majestic, black, steam locomotive, an original Hungarian MAV424.247. Behind it the unmistakable blue and gold carriages of the most famous train in the world: the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
On three exclusive Venice-Vienna-Budapest journeys in 2017, the train will be steam-hauled for the final leg of the journey. On board, guests will enjoy the luxury and service only the world’s most famous train can provide, one that has enraptured film stars, royalty, statesmen and spies through its long and illustrious history.
Pascal Deyrolle, the train’s general manager, explains: “I’ve always wanted to offer our guests a steam-hauled trip. Steam adds something special to the journey. The noise, the smell, the evocative imagery… conjuring up Agatha Christie and the movies…
Meanwhile, closer to home Belmond announces the launch of a new spa carriage aboard Belmond Royal Scotsman, joining the rake on 17th April, the start of the 2017 season. The Bamford Haybarn Spa is the first spa carriage to feature aboard Belmond’s portfolio of luxury trains and features bespoke Bamford treatments for passengers travelling on overnight rail journeys throughout Scotland and Great Britain.
We are excited to launch our first spa carriage – we are now able to offer our guests a new way to relax, to de-stress and slow down and to reflect on their journey with us, commented Gary Franklin, Managing Director, Belmond Trains & Cruises. ‘Train journeys are incredibly relaxing and the new Haybarn Spa offers another way to take time and reconnect with the things that are important while travelling through stunning Scottish scenery’.
