THE VENICE Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe, is set to embark on an unforgettable journey in 2026. Marking a new chapter of its Italian series, Villeggiatura by Train, the legendary midnight-blue carriages will make their first-ever voyage from Paris to the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast on 4 May 2026.
Following a scenic route through Italy, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will travel from Paris towards Pompeii, where guests will enjoy an exclusive stop, before continuing onward to Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast, located in the clifftop town of Ravello.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The three-night journey begins with a Champagne welcome as guests settle into their chosen cabin. As day turns into night, guests are invited to indulge in a menu inspired by the regions along the route and sip cocktails accompanied by live piano music in the train’s iconic Bar Car ‘3674’.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
On 5 May, guests will wake up to sweeping views of the Italian hills before the train arrives in Pompeii after lunch. Here, they can disembark for a guided tour of the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Grand Suite guests enjoy exclusive access to the rarely opened Casa del Larario Regio V. Alternatively, culinary enthusiasts can join an educational cooking class at Caruso led by Executive Chef Armando Aristarco.
That evening, the hotel hosts a poolside celebration honouring Cilento’s finest artisan food producers, complete with a live cooking demonstration beside the infinity pool, where the Mediterranean glimmers far below.
The following day invites exploration by land or sea – from a private boat tour to Positano, tracing the coastline’s hidden coves and turquoise waters, to a painting lesson with a local artist at Caruso’s Loggia terrace.
Amalfi Coast – Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
To commemorate the final evening, guests gather for a gala dinner in Caruso’s Wagner Gardens, beginning with an aperitivo followed by a fine-dining menu created by Chef Aristarco. Set against panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast and accompanied by live music, the evening provides a fitting finale to this remarkable escape.
Speaking about the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, General Manager Pascal Deyrolle added: “We are thrilled to introduce the Amalfi Coast to our Italian routes, continuing to connect our legendary train with our Belmond hotels. This journey offers guests a unique way to experience one of Italy’s most celebrated coastlines – with its cliffs, villages, and sea views revealed in a way that only the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express can provide.”
by Sophie Richardson
Prices for Villeggiatura by Train start from £8,600 per person based on two guests sharing on the Paris to the Amalfi Coast itinerary, including a shared Historic Cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and two nights in a Superior Garden View Room at Caruso. All itineraries include an overnight journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (24h steward service; all meals with sommelier’s choice of wine and unlimited soft drinks), transfers, and excursions. For more information, please visit here.