For couples planning a European destination wedding or honeymoon, Belmond’s newest rail itinerary offers a romantic way to extend the celebration. On May 10, 2027, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will make its first journey from Paris to Monte Carlo, introducing Monaco as a stop on its onward route to Venice, Italy.
Planned as an annual addition to the schedule, the new itinerary invites couples to make the journey part of their celebration. Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, that might mean lingering over dinner, sharing cocktails as a pianist plays or watching the French Riviera unfold from their cabin window.
An Overnight Journey from Paris
The journey starts in Paris, where travelers board the train’s midnight-blue carriages. Inside, restored interiors and Art Deco details evoke an era when dressing for dinner and settling into a sleeping carriage were part of the pleasure of travel.
Accommodations include Historic Cabins, Suites and Grand Suites, letting couples choose the setting for their overnight escape. For those planning an especially indulgent celebration, L’Observatoire offers a private carriage conceived with French artist and photographer JR.
The carriage serves as a private residence on the rails, with a generous bedroom and en suite with a freestanding bathtub, a spacious living area, a library and a secret tearoom. A private dining area and 24-hour steward service complete the experience. Complimentary amenities include fine loungewear, deluxe toiletries and exclusive gifts curated by JR.
For honeymooners, the appeal is easy to imagine: room to retreat together while the landscape changes beyond the windows.
There are six Grand Suites, each inspired by one of Europe’s most alluring cities. Separate lounge and sleeping areas provide room to unwind, while marble en suite bathrooms feature curated vanity sets and bespoke luxury bathrobes.
The train also offers Suites, while its Historic Cabins evoke the romance of 1920s rail travel. In the Historic Cabins, banquette seating offers a comfortable spot to watch the landscape by day, and converts into double sleeping berths by night.
Dinner, Cocktails and a Coastal Morning
As evening arrives, guests dine in one of two restaurant cars, Étoile du Nord or L’Oriental, each having its own Art Deco character. The setting makes dinner an occasion in itself—a fitting opportunity to dress up and enjoy an evening together after the wedding festivities.
Later, Bar Car “3674” brings cocktails, live piano music and conversation into the night. Couples can linger over another drink before returning to their cabin as the train continues south.
By morning, stewards serve breakfast in the cabins, with fresh pastries, pressed fruit juices, tea and coffee. Outside, the route follows the Côte d’Azur, passing the red cliffs of the Massif de l’Estérel and winding through Saint-Raphaël toward Cannes and Nice.
This stretch invites a slower start to the day. With breakfast delivered and coastal views, there is little reason to rush.
As you approach Monaco, the railway cuts into the mountainside before arriving at Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, tucked into the rock.
A New Arrival with a Historic Connection
Known for the Casino de Monte-Carlo and Monaco’s Formula One Grand Prix, Monte Carlo also holds a significant place in the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express story.
In 1977, Belmond founder James B. Sherwood purchased two original Art Deco sleeping cars at a Sotheby’s auction in Monte Carlo. That acquisition helped set in motion the revival that led to the train’s inaugural journey in 1982.
The new itinerary brings that history full circle, connecting Paris and Monaco through a journey designed to make travel time part of the celebration.
For couples considering a honeymoon with several European stops, the overnight route could become a centerpiece between time in Paris and a stay in Monaco. Couples can arrange those additional stays separately, designing the trip around their own pace and interests.
For itinerary details and reservations, visit Belmond.