Travelling… as If Aboard the Orient Express

One of Agatha Christie’s most captivating novels is, without a doubt, Murder on the Orient Express. Over the years, its countless film adaptations have celebrated the author’s unmatched talent for characterisation. Chief among her creations is the Belgian detective with his meticulously groomed moustache and egg-shaped head. Hercule Poirot investigates by calling upon his famed “little grey cells,” which unfailingly lead him to the solution every time.

Perhaps not everyone knows that Christie drew inspiration from a real-life event. In 1932, just two years after her book first appeared, the son of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped. The toddler—still under two years old—was the subject of a fifty-thousand-dollar ransom paid without hesitation. Yet about four weeks later his body was discovered, lifeless and already in an advanced state of decomposition. A gripping tale for any writer… and Christie used it to full effect.

But telling a story isn’t just about recounting facts. The raw chronicle gives way to imagination: protagonists are meticulously crafted to feel utterly real; every detail is cared for; settings are chosen with the utmost precision. Emotional impact hinges on the evocative power of memory—which we all carry—and the location itself becomes a leading character on an unpredictable stage, of which we are both unaware and intrigued spectators.

All this transports us into a world where eyes peer out the window, where the romance of a slow-paced holiday finds expression in the elegance of modern train carriages. Some travellers prioritise comfort, others the route… and some simply seek luxury. Boarding a train means relinquishing our usual frantic pace and shifting our focus to a more nuanced version of reality. Here, “slow” becomes synonymous with “meticulous,” and a change of perspective invariably inspires wonder.

To stay on theme, consider a tour across Europe from London to Venice, via Paris and on to Verona—a truly glamorous itinerary defined by gourmet cuisine and flowing champagne. Yet the Orient Express offers even more. The original Paris-to-Istanbul route remains intact, while new legs invite you to explore Dresden, Prague and Vienna aboard what is rightly hailed as a genuine 1920s rail masterpiece.

Equally evocative is the journey that departs from the ancient capital of Cusco, carrying travellers through the atmospheric Andean highlands until the shores of Lake Titicaca. Peru’s grandeur shines through this sophisticated engineering marvel—and beyond. On board, themed décor and alpaca-wool tapestries constantly evoke and contextualise the landscapes and destinations unfolding beyond the glass.

Imagine the world’s longest railway, stretching from western Russia to its far eastern reaches. Along the way lie Mongolia, the Gobi Desert, Beijing and the storied Silk Road. Board the Trans-Siberian, and from the wide, windswept plains you’ll journey into Asia—traversing up to 9,288 kilometres.

Then there’s a jaunt into the very heart of the Scottish Highlands, where nature reigns and a vintage-souled train carries just thirty-six passengers. Departing Edinburgh, it winds through some of Scotland’s most enchanting locales. Multiple three-day themed itineraries are on offer—from golf outings to visits at stately homes and even gourmet tasting journeys.

To be continued…