J'AIME December 2020

‘Must-stay’ hotels in Scandinavia.
For a more classic bucket-list trip, the Venice-
Simplon Orient-Express (VSOE) is truly magnificent.
I was lucky to enjoy this art-deco icon a few years
ago and I have to say it was superb. The whole
experience was like stepping back in time. It was so
luxurious but with a real sense of adventure and fun
at the same time.
The carriages on the VSOE have their own butler,
are very elegant and luxurious with separate dining
and bar cars. For more space why not opt for one of
their Grand Suites which feature a full double bed
and free flowing Champagne!
The typical journey will start in London onboard
the British Pullman which takes you to Folkestone.
Here you travel under the channel where you will
meet the VSOE for the main event. The beautifully
restored carriages transport you to Paris where fresh
provisions are collected for your dinner. The next
morning the journey resumes south through the Alps
to Venice where you arrive over the bridge in real
style.
Most clients will then enjoy a few nights in Venice
after the journey of a lifetime (I suggest the Cipriani
in a pool-side room). Others may choose to select
a journey which takes in Verona or continues to
Istanbul. You can also do the journey in reverse by
flying to Venice first and returning on the train.
Still in Italy, a popular event to attend is the annual
concert by possibly the most loved tenor in the
world, Andrea Bocelli. Every year he performs near
the village where he grew up called Lajatico. The
productions vary from year to year but are always
spectacular in a unique open-air setting. The venue
is located in the centre of Tuscany so you can stay
in Florence or if you have been there before why
not visit Siena further south. We know the area well
so can help advise and create the perfect trip for
you. We especially love the hilltop village of San
Gimignano and medieval town of Lucca near Pisa
which are both worth a visit too. Visit rbcollection.
com/andreabocelli for details.
Multi generation holidays continue to become
more popular and what better way to create special
moments together than on Safari. In the new
socially distanced world we can arrange for your
family bubble to have their own private safari lodge
and enjoy your game viewing on a private basis
altogether too. I enjoyed my first safari in South
Africa which is perfect if you have not done this type
of trip before. We enjoyed a few days in Cape Town
before driving the Winelands and Garden Route and
ended with the wildlife.
My business partner Nathan has experienced a
number of other safari destinations and from hearing
about his experiences they all vary. From tented
camps in Botswana where you can enjoy thrilling
walking safaris to the great open plains of Kenya.
Nathan has also visited Tanzania where you can
combine Victoria Falls for a real WOW factor.
VENICE-SIMPLON ORIENT-EXPRESS
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