2021 Departures

By Rachel M. Hardy

Paolo and friend outside train in Innsbruck — The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express outside Innsbruck. IRT Photo by Rachel Hardy

Hoping to grab a cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express‘ famed Paris-Istanbul annual adventure in 2021?

Good news: Belmond, owner of the famous luxury train, recently announced its 2021 schedule.

Which means you can plan your dream luxury rail vacation a year and a half in advance.

HorseCart_DSC_0131 — IRT guests on a Belmond Grand Hibernian outing. IRT Photo by Owen Hardy.

Three other Belmond trains, all of which occupy a coveted place on our ‘World’s Top 25 Trains‘ list, have also released their 2021 calendars: Belmond Royal Scotsman, Belmond Grand Hibernian (Ireland) and the Eastern & Oriental Express (Thailand, Singapore, & Malaysia).

(2021 schedules for the company’s Peru luxury train — Belmond Andean Explorer and Belmond Hiram Bingham — are still being determined.)

Other than the 2021 calendar, what else is new with each train?

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE)

Grand Suite Istanbul on the *VSOE*. IRT Photo by Rachel Hardy.

Three more Grand Suites are being built for the 2020 season (for a total of six). They will be called Prague, Budapest, and Vienna.

The Paris-Istanbul and Istanbul-Paris journeys are perennial favorites — and they tend to sell out the fastest.

In addition to the sumptuous amenities included in each Grand Suite (private bathroom, rain shower, large double bed), Grand Suite guests on the Istanbul journeys will also enjoy having a private car and driver for touring in Budapest and Bucharest.

What’s more, all house drinks are now included for Grand Suite guests.

Belmond Royal Scotsman

People continue to rave about the Bamford Haybarn Spa Car, added three years ago.

We highly recommend making an appointment in advance of your departure. It’s not always possible — but we can often wrangle the train manager into getting your massage scheduled ahead of time!

Really get to know the train and the countryside on a longer sojourn like the 8-day Grand Tour of Great Britain.

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Belmond Grand Hibernian

Fancy yourself a horseman or horsewoman? Consider the brand-new ‘Gardens and Gallops of Unseen Ireland’ journey. One highlight: a visit to Howardstown Racing Yard for a demonstration and a chat with famed rider and trainer Enda Bolger.

fullsizeoutput_c87 — Convivial head barman on the *Belmond Grand Hibernian*. IRT Photo by Rachel Hardy.

Or, if you have a more culinary persuasion, join a special departure of the 3-day Taste of Ireland’ hosted by famous Irish chef Clodagh McKenna.

Finally, see a large swath of the Emerald Isle with our all-time favorite, the 7-day Grand Tour of Ireland.

Eastern & Oriental Express

The Eastern & Oriental Express is now much more intimate, with a maximum guest count of only 82 (down from about 120).

EO-EXT-VIEW-02[1] — Guests love the open-air platform on the *Eastern & Oriental Express.*

And, well drinks and house wines are included for all cabin types.

What’s more, the E&O now offers excursion options on all journeys.

Care to stretch your legs between fabulous, five-course meals? Sign up for a bicycle tour through rice paddies and villages.

Or, if you’re a foodie, opt for a culinary tour and tasting in a traditional “wet market” in Kanchanaburi.

Our favorite journey? The 6-day Voyage of Southeast Asia (formerly ‘Fables of the Peninsula’).

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If this is your first Belmond train journey, we sincerely doubt it will be your last. Call us at (800) 478-4881 (+1 502-897-1725 if outside the US / Canada), or email us at tourdesk@irtsociety.com, to book, or to learn more.

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