Step Inside Belmond’s First-Ever Paris to Amalfi Journey This May

After a year of missing Italy: the chapels, piazzas, and sun-drenched streets and tomatoes of Ravello and Positano— I think I finally now have a reason to experience the country’s magic once more. This May, the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express embarks on its inaugural journey from Paris to the Amalfi Coast, fusing impeccable train luxury with the dramatic cliffs, sparkling coastline, and stunning Mediterranean views  of southern Italy.

Dubbed Villeggiatura by Train, the three-night voyage begins with a champagne welcome aboard the train’s iconic Art Deco carriages, meandering through Europe’s most romantic landscapes before reaching the cliffs of Ravello. Guests are treated to exquisite dining, elegantly appointed Historic Cabins, Suites, and Grand Suites, and curated experiences including a private tour of Pompeii, immersive cooking classes, and scenic boat excursions along the Mediterranean.

Pascal Deyrolle, General Manager of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, comments, “This first-ever voyage to the Amalfi Coast embodies the essence of travel by Belmond – a celebration of refined art de vivre, heritage, and emotion.”

Paris to the Amalfi Coast, 4–7 May 2026

For the first time, the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will travel from Paris to the Amalfi Coast, offering a three-night journey through the French and Italian Rivieras. Dubbed Villeggiatura by Train, the itinerary combines the train’s iconic Art Deco elegance with curated off-board experiences celebrating Italian heritage and culture. Guests will have the option to explore Pompeii with a private guided tour, participate in cooking classes featuring local produce, or enjoy the landscapes from the comfort of their cabins. The train is scheduled to depart Paris at 11am and reach Pompeii around 3:30pm, though timings are indicative and subject to national and international railway constraints.

One night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is paired with two nights at Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, an 11th-century palatial hotel perched above Ravello. Guests staying in a Historic Cabin on the train are accommodated in a Superior Garden Room at Caruso, Suite guests in a Sea View Junior Suite, and Grand Suite guests in a Sea View Terrace Suite.

Meals aboard the train include breakfast, lunch, and dinner with sommelier-selected wines. At Caruso, mornings begin with breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean, while evenings feature an aperitivo and formal dinner at Caruso Grill, followed by a gala dinner with local producers and live cooking stations.

On the first day, guests settle into private cabins in Paris before a gourmet lunch in the restored dining cars. Afternoon pastries and tea are served in-cabin, leading into a dinner showcasing seasonal ingredients from along the route. The evening continues in Bar Car ‘3674’, accompanied by live piano music and signature cocktails.

The second day includes a morning arrival at Pompeii station, followed by luxury transfers to the UNESCO World Heritage Site for a VIP guided tour. Grand Suite guests gain exclusive access to Casa del Larario in Regio V, a site typically closed to the public and supported by Caruso Hotel’s preservation efforts. Other guests may proceed directly to Caruso for cooking classes led by Executive Chef Armando Aristarco. The day concludes with an evening by the hotel pool featuring local artisan producers, live music, and panoramic coastal views.

The third day offers a choice between a scenic boat tour to Positano, exploring hidden coves and swimming in the Mediterranean, or a painting lesson in Caruso’s Loggia. The evening features a gala dinner in the hotel gardens with live music, marking the culmination of the Amalfi Coast experience.

On the final day, guests depart at their leisure after breakfast, with private transfers to Naples train station or airport.

What to Wear

On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, one can truly never be overdressed (much like the lady in Cabin 10). Evening attire is formal; many embrace black tie and their most glamorous finery. Daytime calls for smart wear, with jacket and tie appropriate for lunch. But FYI: jeans are never acceptable aboard the train.

For me, this is sounds more than just a journey; it resembles a long-awaited return to the beauty and romance of Italy, a chance to walk through streets you had once only imagined, or got to savour for a short time– after all; the Amalfi Coast from any new perspective is as rare and refined as the train itself! I can already picture the evening by the pool, tasting the best of Cilento with local wines, music weaving through the air, laughter echoing over the coast.

Here’s your sign to go find your calm contemplation in the palace’s hanging gardens next May, Bonvoyage!

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