Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Varna, Bulgaria

The annual Paris-Istanbul tour of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express reached Varna, Bulgaria Tuesday. From the sound of the press reports, the 12 IRT Society members aboard are basking in the glamor of this once-a-year extravaganza. Arriving today in Istanbul, the Orient-Express departs Friday, Sept. 3 on its final “land voyage” of the season. It is scheduled to arrive in Venice Sept. 9, where it will undergo routine maintenance until the beginning of next year’s season.

The annual Paris-Istanbul tour typically sells out a year in advance. Limited space is available on next year’s trip, which runs Sept. 2-7, as well as on next year’s Istanbul-Venice tour, which runs Sept. 9-14. For more information or to book, call (800) 478-4881 or email me at ohardy@irtsociety.com.