Timeless elegance. A journey on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express will remain in your heart for a lifetime. Travel in luxury with exquisite dining, and embark on an unforgettable journey through the Alps on a golden-era train. To add to the experience, Belmond has now unveiled new luxurious cabins on board, bringing new heights of luxury and comfort to the original legend of the rails.

A recent discovery of two original 1920s and 30s carriages has led to the commissioning of eight new suites, set to launch in June 2023. Each of the carriages will be lovingly restored and re-imagined by expert French designers and craftsmen.

Discover this on: Ultimate Italy with Venice-Simplon Orient Express extension

Spacious luxury

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 The new luxuriously appointed suites will blend the train’s iconic history with modern comfort. Double and twin bed areas convert into a spacious lounge, complemented with an ensuite marble bathroom. Wrap up in your kimono and slippers and relax, knowing that your personal 24-hour cabin steward is available to attend to your every need

Related content more: In 2022, why we do we crave the New Golden Era of Travel more than ever before

Inspired by four regions

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The new suites on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express each pay homage to the sensational European landscapes through which the train passes. Inspired by four regions: La Campagne (the countryside), Les Montagnes (the mountains), Les Lacs (the lakes), and La Forêt (the forest). Nature’s landscapes will be celebrated through the design of the interiors, with plush furnishings and fabrics reflecting famous Art Deco designers, such as Dufrene, Rousseau, Prou and Lalique.

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Reflecting the Alpine scenery outside your window, Les Montagnes Suites mirror the peaks of Austria’s Arlberg massif. This mountain range serves as a backdrop on the train’s route to Venice. Les Lacs Suites reflect the beauty of Lake Como in Italy and Switzerland’s Lake Zug.

Celebrating all that is best of the wilderness and countryside, La Campagne Suites show off velvet greens and delicate floral designs. A nod to the vineyards and pastures of Italy and France’s Cȏte d’Azur. And, La Forêt Suites channel the majesty of the Black Forest, seen when traveling from Prague to Paris.

For inspiration: France travel guide

Existing Accommodations

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The new suites will be offered in addition to the two existing cabin categories, Historic Cabins and Grand Suites. The Historic Cabins provide exceptional comfort in the Art Deco carriages,  and transform from a day-time lounge to upper and lower beds at night.

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The Grand Suites feature private ensuite bathrooms with showers, double beds, and a living area, with underfloor heating, for private dining experiences. Guests in a Grand Suite also enjoy 24-hour cabin service and free-flowing champagne.

Read more: A real life Orient Express mystery has just been solved, thanks to YouTube

On board dining

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The exquisite menu is seen to by Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert. Dishes include gourmet Beef Wellington, roasted turbot and the famous lobster brunch. Inspired by vintage Venice-Simplon Orient Express menus, Imbert’s dishes celebrate quality, seasonal ingredients, like morels, peaches and figs.

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Keeping the legend and mystery of the world’s most famous train alive, Imbert reimagined the full dining experience, from the menus and canapes to the opulent restaurant cars themselves. Guests onboard the VSOE train have the choice of three elegant restaurant carriages from which to dine.

Read more: Meet the Michelin star chef putting his stamp on the Orient-Express menu

Timeless train journeys

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Channeling the nostalgia and glamour of bygone days, the Golden Age of luxury train travel evokes old-world images of opulent surroundings and slow-moving scenery as your canvas.

If you are nostalgic for the romance of train travel and keen to take an Orient Express trip, take a look at our limited edition luxury train journeys. Step onboard and back in time for some very special train tours across Europe, South Africa and North America, where we partner with luxurious trains that perfectly complement our guided tours.

Travel from Venice to Paris aboard the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. Take an unforgettable journey through the Scottish Highlands aboard the Royal Scotsman. Be amazed by the scenery from your glass-domed coach on the Rocky Mountaineer in the Canadian Rockies. And journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls in South Africa, aboard the spectacular Rovos Rail.

Discover our limited-edition luxury train journeys

Related content: This is what it is really like to travel on South Africa’s Rovos Rail

What is jet lag? 

What is jet lag? This common sleep disorder for long-distance travelers affects your internal sleep clock (or circadian rhythms) and can make those first couple days in your destination a foggy blur. Fortunately, there are options for jet lag treatment that can help you enjoy every moment at your destination. We’ve gathered our top five jet lag gadgets to help you leave the fog behind.

Apps to fight jet lag

One popular and inexpensive category of jet jag cure are apps that regulate your sleep. For example,  TimeShifter was developed by a doctor at Harvard Medical School to personalize how you fight jetlag. You enter information such as your gender, age, the times you usually fall asleep and wake up, if you use caffeine or a sleep aid, and if you’re a night owl or early bird to help shift your sleeping rhythms before and after you fly. You’ll then receive notifications with recommendations on adjusting light, sleep and drinking caffeine. Similar technology has even been used by NASA astronauts. 

Similar apps such as Entrain help to regulate your light and darkness exposure. Simply enter your current and new time zone and the app will create a personalized light schedule for you. Jet Lag Rooster app also monitors your light exposure to help in adjusting to your new time zone and sends similar notifications as TimeShifter on light exposure and sleep times. Since you can create your personalized jet lag plan before you fly, why not get ahead of jet lag with one of these easy-to-use apps?

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Light therapy wearables

Another cutting-edge jet lag remedy is light therapy you can wear. Because light is one of the top cues for our brain to adjust to a new time zone, focusing on light exposure is a natural way to combat jet lag. Light therapy, such as bright tabletop lights you may have seen to fight Seasonal Affective Disorder, is used in the morning to simulate the morning sun to kick off your body’s natural rhythms. 

One example of a light therapy wearable is Re-Timer, a portable light device worn on your face. This battery powered device looks like a large pair of glasses. They work by emitting a green light that provides the same benefits as sunlight to regulate sleep and waking patterns. You can wear them day or night – ideally for 50 minutes three times a week – to adjust your body clock. You can even use Re-Timer to help with insomnia, Seasonal Affective Disorder or other light deprivation issues.

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Sleep masks

Similar to light therapy wearables, traditional sleep masks are a beneficial low-tech solution to limit light exposure. While a high-quality blackout mask is best, even the airplane’s complimentary sleep mask can help. Some sleep masks have padded eye cups, making them extra comfortable. 

Or, you can take your sleep mask to the next level with a mask that works with a mobile phone app to adjust light and help you regulate your sleep patterns. The mask syncs with the app and tells you when to seek light before your flight and helps you adjust to your new time zone during your flight. Neuron sleep mask measures brainwaves to gather sleep data, develop advanced sleep staging and get personalized sleep tips. Topoint Sleep Eye Mask Wireless Headphones includes built-in wireless so you can also enjoy sounds and music of your choice.

Noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds

Sound therapy, and management, can also help regulate sleep. Loud airplane cabins can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. So, while earplugs and standard headphones are beneficial, investing in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can enhance your sleep quality. Not only will these block out noise but can give you the auditory experience of your choice from white noise and meditations to music from the app of your choice. 

Portable White Noise Machines

On the topic of sound therapy, you can continue to treat your ears to soothing sounds and regulate your sleep in your destination with a small, portable white noise machine. These easy-to-pack devices mask the background sounds in your room that can be particularly distracting in a new environment. Many machines offer a range of choices from bright or deep white noise to the sounds of the ocean. Should you prefer to pack light, there are many apps offering a wealth of white noise or soothing sounds. 

Check out more of our travel trips and plan your next journey with Luxury Gold.

What is Kobe beef? You may have seen it on the menu of your favorite restaurant, or perhaps even tried it. If you’re planning your next adventure, you may have the opportunity to try Kobe’s finest on our Majestic Japan journey. Let’s take a look at the mystery and myths behind this luxury meat and how it has become a sought-after feature of fine dining. 

Related content: A journey of a lifetime: unearthing Majestic Japan, with Luxury Gold

Kobe Beef, defined 

Kobe beef is an exceptionally marbled, rich type of Wagyu beef from a particular type of cattle breed born and raised in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan. Cows that produce Kobe beef are from the Tajima cattle strain of the Japanese Black breed. How is Kobe beef raised? To qualify, the cattle must be between the ages of 28 to 60 months, as well as born, raised and slaughtered in Hyogo Prefecture.  

Kobe beef must also have a Meat Quality Score between four and five. Other specific requirements include the pure lineage of the Tajima cow, weight requirements and the “Japanese Chrysanthemum” seal officially certifying it. Because of these guidelines, only 3,000–5,000 head of cattle meet these restrictions each year. 

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Look, taste and texture 

Now that we know just how unique this beef is, let’s get to the good stuff: the taste. Kobe beef’s distinctive marbling is what makes it so desirable. In fact, it always has a Beef Marbling Score (BMS) of 6 or more. The high marbling also means that Kobe beef is fatty, similar to purebred Angus. This fatty marbling creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture that is enhanced when you thinly slice it to prepare Japanese dishes such as shabu shabu. 

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Wagyu beef  

You may have heard the term “Wagyu” associated with Kobe. Wagyu means “Japanese beef.” (“Wa” refers to something Japanese while “gyu” means beef). The classification of Wagyu beef includes only four breeds of purebred cattle including Kuroge (Japanese Black), Akage (Japanese Brown), Nihon Tankaku (Japanese Shorthorn), and Mukaku (Japanese Polled). This classification was established in 1944. Wagyu, like Kobe, is also a highly marbled and tender beef. 

Kobe beef vs Wagyu beef       

“What is the difference between Kobe and Wagyu?” you might be wondering. Among the four cattle breeds of Wagyu beef, Taijima cows — that we learned earlier produce Kobe beef — are a type of Japanese Black cattle. So, all Kobe beef comes from Wagyu cattle, but not all Wagyu beef is Kobe. As a comparison, the Kobe beef classification is a little like the classification for Champagne among sparkling wine. Champagne is a type of sparkling wine. But only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France can be classified as Champagne. 

Wagyu beef look, taste and texture   

Similar to the specific type of beef from Kobe, Wagyu is also rich, tender and fatty. People often describe it as having a smooth or buttery flavor. Because the fat coats your tongue on the first bite or two, the flavor diminishes as you eat more. That’s why Wagyu beef usually comes in small portions, often of three to four ounces. 

American Kobe beef 

Now that we looked at the difference between Kobe and Wagyu, you maybe be wondering what that fatty, succulent cut was that you had in the United States labeled “American Kobe,” “domestic Wagyu,” or “Kobe-style.” If you guessed that these aren’t pure Kobe, you’re probably correct. Cows outside of Japan aren’t regulated the way Japanese Wagyu is, so it’s rare to find authentic Kobe products outside of Japan. Even though some Wagyu cattle breeds have been brought to the United States and produce the same rich flavor, it is rare that it is pure Kobe or sometimes even Wagyu. Several restaurants have been called out for labeling beef from Kobe on their menus when it was in fact simply Wagyu. 

Myths about Kobe

When speaking of the highly prized beef, some say that the cows are massaged to help redistribute the fat. Some farmers do massage their cows, but it is usually to warm their muscles during a cold winter. Some use massage to relieve stress for cows who do not roam free. But because the Wagyu — and thus Kobe breed – of cows are a working breed, they typically roam freely. 

Destination Japan 

Should you find your mouth watering for this rich, marbled meat, or simply want to explore the country that produces it, we invite you to join us on our Majestic Japan journey. Not only will you enjoy a range of fine Japanese cuisine, but sample some of the nation’s other famed specialty, sake.    

What authentic cuisine do you want to try in Japan?