- Belmond’s iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is charting an opulent course from Paris to Italy’s Amalfi Coast in 2026 with the debut of a “Villeggiatura by Train” experience.
- For the uninitiated, villeggiatura refers to the intrinsically Italian concept of a prolonged stay in a single place (whether that’s a seaside resort, country villa or snowy mountain retreat).
- The Belmond “Villeggiatura by Train” experience to the Amalfi Coast officially kicks off in Paris on May 4th, 2026, and starts from £8,600 (AU$17,500) per person.
To paraphrase that tired maxim, the journey is as significant as the destination (if not more so).
And come May 2026, Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) will serve as a key reminder of this very sentiment by embarking upon its maiden route to the Amalfi Coast – turning one of Italy’s most idyllic destinations, and most vaunted oceanfront enclaves, into the final act of a slow-burn masterpiece.
RELATED: The Orient Express Is Teeing Off With Two Luxe Golf Experiences Across Italy
Departing from Paris, this hot new itinerary captures the essence of old-world glamour while stitching together France’s pastoral charm, the majesty of the Alps, and, of course, the intoxicating magnetism of southern Italy.
Every inch of the VSOE train speaks of a bygone era when travel was an art form. Step inside its original 1920s carriages and you’re greeted by polished mahogany, Lalique glass panels, and soft lamplight that flatters even the most travel-weary faces.
The train’s Bar Car 3674 hums to the rhythm of a baby grand piano while champagne flows like conversation; in the dining car, white-gloved waiters serve lobster and truffle dishes on fine china against the backdrop of the countryside gliding past.
After a night cocooned in vintage luxury, guests wake to the promise of Italy. The train snakes its way south, pausing momentarily for a VIP guided tour of Pompeii’s ruins, in all its archaeological splendour, before you’re ushered into a special boat ride bound for Ravello.
There, on a cliff overlooking the azure coast, awaits the Caruso – a five-star Belmond Hotel that feels as though it was transplanted from both the 11th century and a love-hazed dream. Two nights at this hilltop sanctuary punctuate the trip, with experiences that echo the soul of the coast: cooking classes rich starring local produce, painting sessions at sunset, private boat rides to hidden coves in Positano (invigorating swims accounted for), a gala dinner on the second evening that stretches late into the evening, along with the obligatory dip in an infinity pool (1,000 feet above the sea).
RELATED: Luxury In Motion – Exploring Southeast Asia On The Eastern & Oriental Express
Guests privileged enough to be staying in Grand Suites can even enjoy an intimate experience of the Casa del Larario in Regio V.
This new “Villeggiatura by Train” experience forms part of Belmond’s growing collection of scenic packages designed to revive the golden age of rail travel; Paris to Venice, Florence, and Portofino are also now bookable for 2026.
Prices for the Amalfi Coast option begin at around £8,600 (AU$17,500) per person for the four-day experience, including all meals, excursions, plus “seamless” transfers. A sizeable financial commitment, yes – but some things are worth savouring.
For anyone weary of airport chaos and the all-too-sterile efficiency of modern travel, this offers something profoundly human: the romance lies not just in the destination, but in the deliberate act of getting there, of watching Europe unfold through a window framed in brass and velvet, and of arriving in style.
