In October 1893, the “Orient Express” left Paris on its maiden voyage to Romania. Six years later, the journey in the luxury train with precious tapestries, velvet curtains and sparkling crystal goblets took 67 hours before reaching Constantinople (today’s Istanbul). At the turn of the century, the dream project of the Belgian Georges Nagelmackers became the epitome of prestige and chic in European aristocratic and social circles. Even today, the red carpet is rolled out for the passengers of the train.
Meanwhile, “Chef de Maitre”, Christian Bodiguel (who already cooked at the “White House” in Washington), has salmon prepared with mussels and crabs in saffron sauce or quail with foie gras. Once the train is in motion, waiters juggle and serve the delicacies to the tables on swaying railway boards. Served in restaurant car no. 4110, the inlays made of precious woods in the “Etoile-du-Nord style” are a stylish setting for the delights from the galley. Latique glass décor adds a touch of crowned heads. Frosted glass reliefs depict bacchanalian virgins, while wild animals chase over the black Chinese lacquer panels of the wood inlays in the second restaurant car. There is a subdued atmosphere in the dining car. Thick carpets absorb almost all sounds. Veal medallion with sweet bacon and spinach waffles brings you particularly close to the passing landscape in front of the large panoramic windows. The dessert of wild cherry custard with baked pears is meant to be a sweet temptation. Exquisite top wines from Bordeaux, Bourgogne and the Loire round off the menu.
The “Five O’Clock Tea” with refined and high-calorie English “shortbread” is served in the compartment by blue-liveried servants. Meanwhile, some travelers are looking for the murderer, and you can feel that Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” is omnipresent. Even if the train no longer runs from London to Istanbul, but only to Venice. For all those who are still planning this trip, the murder in Agatha Christie’s crime novel happened in Pullman dining car No. 4141. For dinner, a tuxedo is the order of the day. You can never be dressed elegantly enough on the Orient Express. During dinner, the night falls over the landscape between Tyrol and the Swiss border, which are elegantly rounded by the train.
The legendary Orient Express rattles along the tracks, the pianist strums on the piano in bar car no. 3674, the atmosphere is at its peak: Ascot hats, boa feathers, Charleston dresses bring the “Roaring Twenties” back to life with champagne, caviar appetizers and cocktails. At least thirty nostalgia travelers crowd into a confined space, nibbling on nuts, olives and canapés to the sounds of piano and saxophone. Around midnight it gets quiet on the Orient Express. In the first class sleeping car No. 3438 with its flower basket inlays, invisible ghosts have meanwhile built a soft bed out of the sofa bed. A quick look at the neon-lit train station of Zurich-Kloten Airport. Near Basel, most travelers are immersed in Morpheus’ arms, dreaming of the Orient. Or the “Murder on the Orient Express”. Breakfast is served in the compartment. There is steaming coffee, crispy croissants and fruit juice, accompanied by the “Herald Tribune”, because of the stock and currency prices. All in all, a journey that not only combines the noble ambience and the high-quality food, but also a journey with romantic-nostalgic feelings that has a name: Orient Express.
All information about the Orient Express can be found here:
