Agatha Christie: From Paris to the Pyramids

Arrive in Paris, the City of Light, for an unforgettable start to your journey, staying at the Maison Barrière Le Vendôme, one of Agatha Christie’s favourite Parisian hotels. Spend your days strolling through historic streets, with chic cafés, luxury boutiques and nearby landmarks such as the Place Vendôme and the Louvre. For literary enthusiasts, a visit to the Shakespeare and Company Bookshop or the Musée Carnavalet offers insight into the city that sparked Christie’s imagination.

Stay: Maison Barriere Vendome

Make your way to Paris’ historic Gare de l’Est, where the unmistakable blue and gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express await. Step back in time as your personal steward welcomes you on board and guides you to your elegant cabin – a masterpiece of early 20th-century heritage. Take a stroll through the beautifully restored carriages, each one an ode to the glamour of the 1920s and 1930s, adorned with polished marquetry, rich fabrics and exquisite Art Deco details.

As the train gently departs Paris and glides through the French countryside, settle in and savour a delightful afternoon tea served in your cabin. Later, dress for the evening and mingle with fellow travellers over cocktails in the bar car, where the pianist sets the mood with timeless melodies. Then, indulge in a gourmet dinner in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars – a celebration of fine dining and old-world elegance. While you dine, your steward will discreetly transform your cabin into a cosy private sleeping compartment, ready for a restful night as the train continues its journey through the night.

As you sleep, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express glides quietly across Europe. Wake to the soft morning light and the gentle rhythm of the rails as the train journeys through rural Hungary, revealing a patchwork of rolling fields and charming villages. Your personal steward will serve a Continental breakfast in your cabin, allowing for a serene start to the day accompanied by ever-changing views beyond your window. Relax in your private sitting area until lunch on board, enjoying another culinary masterpiece in the dining car. In the afternoon, tea is served as the train makes its final approach to Budapest, where your adventure continues.

A short transfer brings you to your luxurious accommodation on the banks of the Danube, with its Art Nouveau architecture, exceptional spa and breathtaking views of the iconic Chain Bridge. As evening falls, take a sunset stroll through the cobbled medieval lanes of Buda or along the river promenade. Prepare for a wonderful cocktail reception and dinner on the River Danube this evening.

This morning, explore Budapest’s cultural treasures on a guided walk with a local expert. Admire the 19th-century splendour of Vajdahunyad Castle, wander elegant squares lined with stately townhouses, and glimpse the city’s celebrated thermal baths. Pause at a classic café for coffee and strudel, a beloved Hungarian ritual. Refreshed, cross the Chain Bridge to the Buda side of the city, where cobbled streets, royal palaces and historic citadels reveal a different perspective of Hungary’s capital. Later, enjoy a scenic Danube River cruise, admiring the city’s grand façades from the water before lunch at a local restaurant.

As afternoon turns to evening, return to the station and re-board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for the next leg of your journey. By now, life on board feels effortlessly familiar. Perhaps begin the evening with cocktails in the bar car before a gourmet dinner in the restaurant, while your steward transforms your cabin into a restful sanctuary for the night, as the train travels towards Romania.

Wake to a new landscape as your steward serves breakfast in your cabin. Beyond your window rise the dramatic Bucegi Mountains, signalling your arrival in Romania. Enjoy a leisurely morning on board before disembarking at Sinaia, where the forested slopes reveal one of Europe’s most enchanting royal residences: Peles Castle. Built as the summer retreat of King Carol I, this fairy-tale palace dazzles with its turrets, marble statues and manicured gardens. The very first Orient Express passengers visited here in 1883 at the King’s personal invitation. Today, you’ll follow in their footsteps.

After exploring, rejoin the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and settle back into your cabin as the train continues through the Carpathian foothills towards Bucharest. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your grand city hotel located opposite the monumental Palace of Parliament. In the evening, discover Bucharest with a local guide, exploring its eclectic architecture and tree-lined boulevards before concluding the day with an exclusive gourmet dinner at a private venue, where fine cuisine, music and conversation capture the spirit of Romania’s vibrant capital.

Return to the station and rejoin the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for the journey south towards Istanbul. Enjoy glimpses of the Danube and the passing countryside, or relax in the company of fellow passengers as you share stories of your time in Bucharest. Lunch is served in the elegant dining cars, offering a leisurely interlude as the train winds through Bulgaria’s scenic landscapes, pausing occasionally for a chance to stretch your legs.

As evening falls, embrace your final night on board with all the indulgence the train affords. Sip signature cocktails in the bar car, then savour a gourmet dinner in the stunning Lalique-glass and wood-panelled restaurant cars, where exquisite cuisine is prepared in the train’s compact galley yet presented with the grandeur of a fine-dining restaurant. Celebrate the journey’s climax with the resident pianist setting the mood, glasses raised, as the train glides across the ancient Thracian Plain.

This morning, the train makes its final approach towards Turkey. After a relaxed morning on board and a leisurely lunch showcasing the flavours of the region, the train draws closer to Istanbul, offering glimpses of the sparkling Sea of Marmara. It’s a moment tinged with anticipation – the journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express may be ending, but a new adventure awaits.

Upon arrival, a private transfer will whisk you to the legendary Pera Palace Hotel, an iconic city-centre landmark where Agatha Christie herself loved to stay. Settle into your elegant surroundings and enjoy a crafted cocktail at the bar before stepping out to explore the vibrant streets of the Old Town. The following day can be dedicated to exploring Istanbul at your own pace, from the city’s historic mosques and palaces to its lively markets and hidden courtyards, with the comfort of the Pera Palace as your home base throughout.

This morning, a private transfer will take you from your hotel in Istanbul to the airport, where you’ll board your flight to Cairo, before continuing on a connecting flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, an iconic hotel perched on the banks of the Nile and the dramatic desert hills beyond. Its elegance and charm have inspired many, including Agatha Christie, who drew on the hotel and its striking Nile-side setting when writing her classic novel, Death on the Nile. The hotel offers the perfect base from which to explore this captivating city.

Over the next two days, enjoy the unique rhythm of Aswan, a city celebrated for its relaxed charm, Nubian culture and stunning natural beauty. Take a gentle stroll along the Nile Corniche, explore the colourful markets, or enjoy a traditional Nubian village visit, where local crafts, music and hospitality offer a window into the region’s rich heritage.

Stay: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract, Aswan

Today, you'll step aboard the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, a vessel that combines elegant Art Deco-inspired interiors with the intimate charm of a boutique hotel on the water. Warm polished wood, brass accents, and plush lounges invite you to relax, while the sun-drenched deck provides a serene vantage point to watch the Nile drift past. Take a moment to settle into your cabin, unpack and enjoy the comfort and privacy of your suite – a peaceful sanctuary with views of the river that will be your companion over the coming days.

After a delicious lunch on board, step ashore to explore Aswan’s highlights: the monumental High Dam, the serene Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk, a remarkable glimpse into ancient Egyptian ambition. Return to the vessel as the sun sets, and dine in the refined onboard restaurant, where dishes are crafted with care to reflect the flavours of the region. As night falls, let the gentle sway of the river and the soft glow of the lantern-lit decks spark your imagination – perhaps conjuring scenes worthy of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, inspired by the very waters you now traverse.

Wake to the gentle sway of the Nile as the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer cruises northward. After breakfast, step ashore at Kom Ombo, the unique twin-temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility, and Horus the Elder. Its symmetrical design, impressive columns and ancient surgical instruments carved in stone reflect the medical and spiritual significance of the site. Don't miss the nearby museum with real mummified crocodiles.

Lunch on board offers a chance to relax on deck, sipping a drink while watching villages and lush banks glide by. In the afternoon, explore Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus and one of Egypt's best-preserved temples. Return to the ship for a sumptuous dinner, perhaps sharing stories with fellow guests in the lounge as the river carries you toward Luxor under a star-studded sky.

Mark your arrival in Luxor as you cross to the West Bank, the necropolis of ancient Thebes. Explore the famous Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs rest in tombs carved from living rock, then marvel at Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, rising elegantly from the cliffs, followed by the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer for lunch and a leisurely afternoon. Perhaps indulge in a spa treatment, take a quiet moment on deck to watch the Nile glow at sunset, or simply relax with a book in the lounge. Dinner aboard is a celebration of local flavours and a perfect night to toast the river and the stories it has witnessed over millennia.

Your final day begins with a visit to Karnak Temple, the world’s largest religious complex, where towering columns and ancient obelisks whisper stories of gods and pharaohs. Continue to Luxor Temple, where ceremonies once illuminated the city with ritual and grandeur. Return to the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer for lunch, before and a free afternoon before enjoying a special farewell gala dinner and entertainment this evening.

Wake to your final morning on the Nile and enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, savouring the last gentle rhythms of the river and the view of its waters slipping past your cabin window. After breakfast, it is time to check out and disembark, marking the end of your unforgettable Nile cruise. A private transfer takes you to the airport for an internal flight to Cairo, where you will be met and whisked to your luxurious accommodation, the Marriott Mena House. This iconic hotel sits just moments from the Great Pyramids of Giza, offering sweeping views of these ancient wonders and the surrounding desert. Its elegant interiors and lush gardens provide the perfect contrast to the bustling city, combining comfort, luxury and a sense of place that few hotels can match.

Over the next three days, you will have the opportunity to explore Cairo at your own pace, from the awe-inspiring Pyramids and Sphinx to the treasures of the Egyptian Museum, and the lively Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. For those inspired by history and literature, Cairo carries echoes of the golden age of travel and intrigue.

Awake to your final morning in Cairo and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, taking a last moment to soak in the view of the Great Pyramids and the elegant gardens surrounding the hotel. Reflect on the incredible journey you’ve experienced before an included transfer will take you to Cairo International Airport, ready for your onward journey. For those wishing to linger a little longer, it is also possible to extend your stay at the Marriott Mena House or arrange an international flight to continue your adventures.