Accommodation
On the British Pullman, in England, you are reserved a day seat, and on the continental Wagons-Lits, overnight passengers have their own cabins equipped with washing facilities and upper and lower berths. Lavatories are situated at the end of each sleeping car. See accommodation for more details.
Dress
There is only one rule: you can never be overdressed. It is customary for men to wear a jacket and tie at dinner. During the day, dress is casual but smart.
Luggage
Space is restricted to two suitcases and two smaller bags. Items required for overnight should be packed into a lighter suitcase, which will go in your cabin. Items not required until your destination should be packed separately and will be carried in the luggage van which is not accessible until your final arrival station.
Meals
All table d'hôte meals are included in your fare, an à la carte menu is available at an additional cost. Most special diets can be catered for providing sufficient notice is given in writing.
Boutique
On board you will find a boutique brimming with a full range of exclusively designed gifts from elegant silk scarves and ties to charming crystal and distinctive jewellery.
English Channel
Passengers will normally cross by Eurotunnel. Our hostesses will escort passengers during their transfer and via customs and immigration. If for any reason we are unable to use the Eurotunnel service or in the interests of passenger comfort, alternative services may be used.
Visas
All EU citizens must be in possession of a ten year passport valid for at least four months after the expected UK return date. Currently visas are not required for EU citizens visiting any of the European countries featured on this site with the exception of passengers travelling to / from Istanbul. Visa details for these passengers will be given at the time of booking. If you are not an EU passport holder then please check with the relevant embassy or consulate in good time. It is your responsibility to ensure that all your travel documents are in order and in your possession when travelling.
However, regulations can change and it is the responsibility of the traveller to check that they have all the appropriate documentation prior to travel. Further information can be found at http://www.worldtravelguide.net and further UK passport information can be found at www.ukpa.gov.uk. Any non UK nationals should check with the relevant Embassy for passport/visa regulations.
Political and other conditions can also vary over time in different countries and travellers are advised to check with the Foreign Office regarding any travel advice prior to travelling.
Holiday Prices
All prices and supplements shown on this site are per person based on double occupancy and include :-
• A double or Pullman compartment on board the VSOE.
(Note: passengers travelling on a day sector only, normally occupy a seat in the restaurant car for the whole journey unless a private compartment - with supplement if applicable - has been reserved).
• All table d'hôte meals whilst on board.
• Accommodation and buffet breakfast* in a regular room at your hotel.
*(Note: Continental breakfast only is included at some hotels, see hotel description).
• Economy class flights at a contract rate where applicable and shown in itinerary. These include airport taxes, security charges and departure tax. Please also see Flight Information below
• All transfers throughout your holiday. (See note on regional air connections).
• Where your hotel stay covers two different price bands then your holiday price will be adjusted accordingly.
Prices for single occupancy of accommodation on request.
Transfers
Transfers are included in all holidays on this site. Apart from Venice, where transfers are a combination of road and motorboat, transfers are generally by private car. However a minivan or coach may be provided where a large number of passengers arrive and depart at the same time.
Your Hotel(s)
Each hotel has its own style and character. We offer a range of properties on this site at a wide range of prices that give an indication of the standard and therefore your expectation. Many offer room upgrades and whilst some hotels may be situated overlooking pleasant views it does not mean that all bedrooms automatically do. Usually there is a supplement for 'view rooms' and we will be pleased to give further advice on this. Note that hotel check-in/out time is usually between 12 noon and 14:00 and rooms cannot be guaranteed outside of these times.
Customised Itineraries
All itineraries can be tailored to your own personal requirements, including your own combination from our selected hotels.
Your protection
Payments received for holidays commencing in the UK that include an air element, are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority licence (no 3141) and bond of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Ltd. All other holidays are protected by a special account set up by their bankers and held in trust on your behalf.
Your Flights
European holidays on this web site feature scheduled flights with British Airways / British Airways Citiexpress / British Midland*.
*Note: British Midland operate a single-class
service and on-board catering is not complimentary.
For guidance purposes only note:-
| Flights to/from | London Airport Departure or Arrival |
Airline |
|---|---|---|
| Venice | Heathrow | British Midland |
| Gatwick or Manchester. | British Airways | |
| Rome | Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, | |
| Edinburgh, Manchester. | British Airways | |
| Paris | Heathrow | British Airways |
| Gatwick, Birmingham, | ||
| Edinburgh, Manchester. | British Airways | |
| Budapest | Heathrow | British Airways |
| Prague | Heathrow, Gatwick | British Airways |
| Vienna | Heathrow, Manchester | British Airways |
Note: Some British Airways regional flights are operated by BA CitiExpress.
Regional Air Departures
Regional flights are available from selected UK airports to / from London providing you are travelling on the European sector with the same airline. Supplements available on request. Additionally there are direct regional services, as shown in the table above, and these can be combined with a UK domestic flight pre / post your journey on the venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Supplements are available.
Note: connecting flight prices do not include the transfer between Heathrow / Gatwick and Victoria Station (or vice versa).
Flight Upgrades
British Airways Club Europe is available and prices are quoted at the time of booking to take advantage of the latest fares available to us.
British Airways Club promotion: Subject to a minimum booking period of 60 days prior to travel and availability (which may be limited), British Airways offers special Club Europe fares to most of our destinations, e.g. to/from Venice.
Note: supplements are based on business-class seats at contracted rates and cannot be changed in any way once issued, unlike full-fare business-class tickets.
Business Class lounges are available in most airports but in some, where space is restricted, this is limited to the relevant airlines executive club members only. Venice is currently one airport where this is the case.
