Where better to enjoy a chilled glass of bubbly than onboard a luxury train? That’s the thinking behind Veuve Clicquot’s latest set of unique gastronomic excursions crafted with Belmond.
It’s not the first time the champagne house has teamed up with the train operator; last year Veuve Clicquot marked its 250th birthday with a lavish trip onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Now, guests will have another chance to experience a unique rail adventure with three separate journeys taking place in 2024 across Asia, Europe and South America.
The first trip will take a lucky handful of guests on an unforgettable three-night excursion through Malaysia. Running from April 22-25, the trip kicks off in Singapore – where Veuve Clicquot’s champagne bottles were first shipped back in 1859 – aboard Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express.
[See also: A Luxury Travel Guide Through the Champagne Region]
From here, the luxury train will take a scenic journey to Penang and Kuala Lumpur through the Taman Negara National Park on the iconic ‘jungle railway’. Guests will be wined and dined throughout the excursion, starting with a Solaire champagne brunch overlooking Singapore’s Marina Bay and culminating in an opulent gala dinner onboard the train paired with – you guessed it – more of the finest champagne. Be sure to pack some party attire; there will be live music and a DJ set late into the evening.
We also love the sound of Veuve Clicquot’s second trip which takes guests from Vienna to Reims onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Taking place from July 4-6, the excursion includes a black tie dinner curated by Jean Imbert (head chef of the Plaza Athenee who oversees the culinary offering onboard) with a selection of the finest Veuve Clicquot cuvees.
After breakfast watching the sun rise over the Alps, guests will disembark the train in Reims – Veuve Clicquot’s home in the Champagne region – and take a tour of the Maison’s historic vineyards before enjoying a gourmet meal prepared by Imbert and Mory Sacko deep below the ground in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed chalk quarries.
Perhaps most exciting of all is the final train journey unveiled by Veuve Clicquot and Belmond, which takes place in Peru from October 21-26. The six-day itinerary begins with a night at the Palacio Nazarenas – a glamorous hotel set in a former convent in Cusco – with dinner served in the Monasterio chapel.
The following day, the exclusive Hira Bingham train will take guests from Cusco through the Sacred Valley up to the entrance of Machu Picchu. After visiting the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the group will board the 35-cabin Andean Explorer (a first-class sleeper train) for an unforgettable journey through the Peruvian Andes up to Lake Titicaca. Naturally, Veuve Clicquot’s cellar master will be onboard to keep guests entertained hosting a series of champagne tastings.
Prices for Veuve Clicquot and Belmond’s Singapore to Kuala Lumpur itinerary start at $6,800 per passenger based on two guests sharing a Pullman Cabin.
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