If the intrigue of Orient - Express can make a perfect setting for Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient- Express", there can’t be anything more parallel to romantic and luxury travel as exploring South East Asia on board the Eastern & Oriental Express. (Photo courtesy of Orient Express)
South East Asia has always been renowned as a travellers' paradise, a place of intense natural beauty, spiritual tranquillity and historical intrigue. With its inaugural journey in September 1993 the Eastern & Oriental Express quickly built for itself a highly regarded reputation as providing one of the most adventurous and exciting rail journeys in the world.
In 1991, following the success of its European continental train, the Orient-Express company acquired New Zealand’s famed Silver Star, transported it to Southeast Asia and, following refurbishment, re-christened it the Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O). The train maintains the same charm as other Orient-Express products such as the British Pullman, and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Today, the Eastern & Oriental Express carries passengers in luxury between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It runs 1, 262 miles between Singapore's Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and Hua Lamphong, Bangkok, stopping at Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Butterworth and Kanchanaburi on its three days (two nights) Programme.
The Singapore - Bangkok route is one of the most famous routes where the Eastern & Oriental Express train, seen in part stopping at the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Malaysia. The station was once an E&O Express stop before the opening of Kuala Lumpur Sentral in 2001. The train travels through dense rainforests and towering mountains past golden temples, rubber plantations and remote towns and villages.
Since 2007, the train has also travelled between Bangkok and Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Although the train originally ran just between Singapore and Bangkok, today Eastern & Orient Express operates a total of nine new itineraries covering Bangkok-Vientiane, Laos and itineraries including Chiang Mai and varies from 1 - 7 night programmes in luxurious air-conditioned private cabins with private baths, with an option of 36 Pullmans, 28 State Compartments and 2 Presidential Suites. All sleeping compartments are panelled with cherry wood and elm burr and adorned with decorative marquetry and intricate inlays. All have 24-hour service, called by a bell. The program covers all meals and included sightseeing. Prices vary from GBP 740 – 1700 Per person (approx.)
Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in your compartment; lunch and dinner are taken in the two restaurant cars, lavishly decorated with rosewood and elm panelling. Dining on board is a highlight: the train’s food service has received international accolades for the blending of Western and Eastern culinary styles. Food and service are of the high level of all Orient-Express-owned trains and hotels.
Whichever journey one decides to take, they are assured of the highest quality food and service while enjoying dramatic views across the South East Asian landscape.
