Latest news with #OrientExpress
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Russell T Davies confirms Doctor Who's future is secure, teases Billie Piper's role and upcoming spin-off
Doctor Who has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, with some fans suggesting that the show could be coming to an end - but Russell T Davies has now quashed those rumours. Doctor Who fans have been left in suspense, awaiting news on the future of the show following Ncuti Gatwa's exit from the sci-fi series. The last glimpse we had of the series showed Billie Piper seemingly stepping up to become the next Doctor. However the outcome of that regeneration is still unknown. While some have speculated that the show could be winding down, Russell T Davies has since binned those rumours and declared that the show will never come to an end. In this week's issue of Doctor Who magazine, Davies penned: "No, not the end, don't be mad. Doctor Who will never end! "There are pathways leading to potential futures – we've still got the mystery of that bright and blazing ending, 'Oh, hello,' yes indeed, hello Billie! And there's Susan, of course." He continued: "I wonder if we'll ever find out who the Boss is. Or who the Boss are. (I'm still wondering who Gus is, from Mummy on the Orient Express. Maybe they're the same! "But we don't know what's happening yet, and while everyone works that out, I'll take a pause on this page ... Hopefully, we'll have news soon, and certainly, The War Between the Land and the Sea is about to break out, so there are great things ahead. Until then." As Davies points out, the Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea is coming, but as for Doctor Who's future, that remains uncertain as reported by the Radio Times. Russell Davies had earlier expressed his optimism about Doctor Who's future, stating that even if the show goes on a break, he has faith that it will ultimately return. In an interview with Newsround, Davies said: "I kind of know that the Doctor's reached the status of, like, Robin Hood. Sometimes there might be a pause, and during that pause, the viewers of Newsround now will grow up a few years and start writing stories and they'll bring it back." He added, "So I have absolute faith that that will survive because I am living proof of it and that's what happens to good ideas. No good idea ever dies." Meanwhile, the BBC had previously denied claims that the show was being "shelved", saying the decision on the next series would be made following the airing of the current series. The corporation stated that the Disney+ deal included 26 episodes, with half still to be broadcast.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
In Conversation With Hugo Toro: The Designer Du Jour You Need To Know
Hugo Toro in La Minerva, Rome Hugo Toro is the hospitality designer to know right now. The French-Mexican artist, architect and interior designer is at the helm of some of the most imaginative new hotel and hospitality projects in Europe, including the Paris' Michelin-starred Pur' restaurant in Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Marlow in Monte Carlo's new Mareterra, and the intimate retro reverie Le Mas Candille in Mougins above Cannes, in the French Riviera. Perhaps most exciting of all, Toro is behind Accor's first Orient Express hotel, Hôtel la Minerva in Rome. What sets Toro apart is his ability to balance narrative with detail. His spaces tell stories—of place, of history, of fantasy—while still delivering on the intimacy and functionality that high-end travellers expect today. It is designed as escapism but with a rigorous architectural underpinning. Forbes spoke with Toro to find out more. I think what resonates, first and foremost, is that I do this job with real passion. I genuinely love what I do, and I believe that comes across. People today are looking for interiors that envelop them; warm, welcoming places where they feel comfortable, almost at home. In my work, I try to create spaces that have the softness of candlelight, that evoke the warmth of a lived-in apartment. I'm not afraid of small imperfections in a layout: an unexpected nook, a curve, a less-obvious transition. These are often the moments that give a place its character. And above all, everything is custom-designed: the architecture, lighting, fabrics, furniture... Every element contributes to creating a unique space, rooted in its context. I also enjoy crafting a narrative through references, whether historical or contemporary. This patchwork of influences is, to me, a very modern approach to design [and] a kind of invitation to travel. Above all, I hope my style is embodied. I like to create a tailored story for each project. For me, a hotel in the mountains has nothing to do with a hotel in Rome. Each place has its own energy, its relationship to the landscape, the light, and local history. So, my style is nomadic. What interests me is finding the right balance between modernity, respect for the past, and, most importantly, respect for context—whether architectural, geographical, or human. I like to go deep into detail with a holistic vision that embraces both architecture and interior architecture. Everything is thought out together, like a single story. La Minerva I had the chance to design the very first Orient Express Hotel, to open its doors to the world. And that opportunity also came with a kind of freedom: I didn't have to work around existing design constraints from the past. I could imagine new codes for a brand that already belongs to the collective imagination. I wanted architecture that was rooted in its context, in this case, Rome, without falling into pastiche. The building itself is iconic and steeped in history, and I wanted to subtly embed the spirit of the Orient Express into it, as a kind of thread running throughout. The references are there, but they appear as nods—in the details, the proportions, the materials. The goal was to propose timeless architecture, capable of becoming an institution not just static decor. Le Mas Candille is a very different project from the Orient Express in Rome. It's an intimate boutique hotel nestled in a large park. Each room feels like a little house scattered in nature. The atmosphere is that of a vacation retreat, with a much softer, almost domestic scale. In Rome, the hotel interacts with the city with its intensity and monumentality. At Le Mas Candille, the relationship is with the landscape, with time slowing down. They are two very different projects, and I love them for that reason. I couldn't choose between the two. What I seek is diversity—the chance to reinvent myself with each location. Le Mas Candille This approach has always been central to my practice. I was trained in both architecture and interior architecture, and for me, there is no real boundary between the two. Everything is connected; everything influences everything else. In the Minerva project in Rome, for example, I designed the major architectural structures, like the glass roofs, but also the smallest furniture details. I love moving from macro to micro, creating a seamless transition between the shell and the fit-out. It's an organic vision, where each element has its place, like in a living organism. My goal is always to create a coherent, fluid, 360-degree experience. I'm genuinely interested in any kind of project. What moves me is a place's ability to tell a story. But if I had to dream a little, I'd love to design a sailboat. It's such a poetic world, where the interior and exterior blend together, and space is in constant motion. On the opposite end, I'd also like to design a crematorium. These are often dehumanized places. Giving them back a sense of beauty, dignity, and serenity would be deeply moving for me. And then, in a more whimsical, fantastical register: why not a hot air balloon or even a zeppelin? Right now, I'm really developing my artistic practice outside of architecture. Painting has become a daily passion. It's a very direct, intuitive act that reconnects me to a form of spontaneity. And even though it's a separate world, I feel it nourishes how I design spaces. Drawing, color, composition, material: these all create bridges between my two practices. Painting brings me a new kind of freedom that is starting to infuse my projects, including hotels, with a perhaps more sensitive and personal approach.
Time Out
13-06-2025
- Time Out
We took Southeast Asia's most luxurious sleeper train – here is what it's like
It's gala night aboard Belmond's Eastern & Oriental Express. Guests are gathered in the gilded piano bar car dressed in their best slinky gowns, pressed suits, and a fur coat or two. We're here for one final night of entertainment. Bathed in the warm golden glow of vintage-style lamps, our songstress takes an audience request and swings into 'Top of the World' by the Carpenters, her husky tones gliding over the tinkling piano keys – and always, the soft rush of rails under our feet. It's been an enchanting three days on Southeast Asia's most luxurious sleeper train. The E&O Express is the younger Southeast Asian sibling of the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, itself descended from the legendary Orient Express of 1883. Refashioned and regauged from New Zealand's Silver Star stock, the E&O Express first pulled out of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station in Singapore in 1993, plying a route to Bangkok, Thailand. After a brief hiatus thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the emerald-and-cream beauty resumed operations in late 2024 with refurbished cabins and refreshed excursions. It now traces two languorous routes through central Malaysia: one forks at Gemas with endpoints in Merapoh and Butterworth, and the other hugs the coast en route to Perlis. We'd seen the pictures on social media: sumptuous interiors dripping with vintage glamour. They catapulted the E&O Express to the top of our bucket list – reserved, we thought, for our retirement years or a miraculous windfall. So, when the chance arose to ride the first route, Wild Malaysia, we packed our flashiest outfits and hopped aboard. First impressions: rolling out the red carpet The E&O Express experience begins right at our doorstep. A luxury car collects us from home, and we pick over the selection of local drinks and snacks to last us the 20-minute ride to Woodlands Checkpoint. There, smartly dressed Belmond porters whisk away our luggage and greet us through every step of customs and immigration (which, by the way, takes place in an area specially cordoned off for E&O Express passengers). It's an early taste of the immaculate service we receive throughout the rest of the journey. Our first glimpse of the train comes through the hazy glass of the checkpoint holding area. The train's far end tails off into a vanishing point, it being much longer than we expected. After a quick photo of its gleaming green exterior, marked with the golden tiger insignia, we're helped onto carriage H – farthest from the dining cars but conveniently near the bar and observation car, we're told consolingly. The cabins: compact stunners with, yes, ensuite bathrooms We stay in a state cabin, a tier above the Pullman cabin and second only to the presidential suite. It's a jewel box of marine blues and greens inspired by Penang's seaside locale, which pop against glossy, marquetry wood walls. The tables bloom with tropical plants and fruits – birds of paradise, dragonfruit – all washed in natural light pouring in from two generous windows. There are silky soft dressing gowns and slippers so plush that I often forget to switch them out for proper shoes when leaving the cabin. Every time we're off at dinner, our lovely carriage attendant, Navein, squirrels in to draw the cream curtains and convert the seats into two cosy beds, complete with linens embroidered with the E&O Express logo. He leaves surprises behind every day: our favourite is an anthology of poems and short stories commissioned by Belmond, a literary romp through the untold stories of Malaysia. Unlike the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, every cabin on this train comes with an en-suite bathroom. It's snug – even for two fairly petite ladies like us – but admirably designed to fit a toilet, sink, and shower, with thoughtfully placed hooks and storage compartments. It's a good idea to grip the handlebars while showering to avoid potentially gnarly slips. We swipe some of the luxury toiletries at the end of the trip – in fact, we're encouraged to. The dining: fine dining fusion fare by Chef Andre Chiang Part of the E&O Express's charm is its leisurely pace: we spend blissful downtime in our cabin watching Malaysia's landscape sweep by as the train snakes through the snatching fingers of Taman Negara National Park's lush forest, past waving palm plantations, and by numerous towns we've never heard of. But if watching all this life flash by leaves us feeling a little untethered at times, then Chef André Chiang's fine dining fare is a welcome grounding force. Born in Taiwan, raised in Japan, and trained in France, Chef André is the former head of the three-Michelin-star Le Jardin des Sens and founder of the two-star Restaurant André in Singapore. His onboard menu was expectedly refined, comfortingly unpretentious, and so very delicious. Amidst the rattle of linen-covered tables laden with hand-cut crystalware and fine china, familiar Malaysian flavours show up in bold, surprising forms: refreshing kaffir lime consommé stirred with a stick of lemongrass, bouillabaisse jazzed up with laksa spices, and coconut blancmange with Nyonya chendol. Chef André plucks flavours from other Asian cuisines too, lacing a shrimp and clam bisque with miso, and nestling kimchi alongside delicately seared tuna in an unassuming nicoise salad. A good representation of Malaysia's cultural melting pot. Everything else: hyperlocal excursions in the heart of Malaysia We should add that you'll be very, very stuffed from (at least) four meals a day. Good for us then, that we have to trot at least seven carriages down to the two dining cars for meals. Nevertheless, we welcomed the daily excursions – an opportunity to stretch our legs and check out the locality. Belmond has curated something for everyone: the nature nuts, the wellness seekers, the foodies, the artsy fartsy. We flow through yoga poses in front of a towering limestone cliff in Taman Negara National Park before laying in a flat, wide stream for a sound bath experience. Throughout the experience, our guide, Xin Wei from The Habitat Group, chatters merrily about the wildlife of the national park, pointing out whooping monkey calls, pretty nesting birds, and even elephant poop. Others follow a tiger conservationist to walk in the footsteps of the elusive felines, and yet more zip off on e-bikes to explore Merapoh's caves. In Penang, we trade the sweltering city centre for the cool climes at the peak of Penang Hill, cooking Chinese and Indian snacks in the shade of a gorgeous villa. Other guests hop onto Vespas for an art tour of Georgetown or into rickshaws for a self-guided tour of the UNESCO Historic Site. Downtime is spent in our private cabins or bar cars – easily the train's most visually striking. We witness many a fast friendship made over free-flowing champagne and cocktails, picked from a whimsical, tropical-themed menu with storybook-like pop-ups and cutouts. Other entertainment: coffee tasting sessions, mindful mandala-colouring workshops, or wind-in-your-hair moments in the observation car, particularly thrilling while the train whizzes through the thickest parts of the Malaysian jungle. Is it worth it? Here's the deal: a journey on the E&O Express starts at US$4,650 for a 4D3N trip in the Pullman cabin – and only goes up from there. Friends and family in Singapore are bewildered: 'Wait, that much just to go to Penang?' We understand. Those based in Asia don't expect to drop more than a couple of hundred dollars on a trip to Malaysia. But we'd argue that a journey on the E&O Express is more than just "going to Penang". It's aspirational travel at its finest, offering an immersive, high-style homage to the golden age of train travel, an opportunity to live out the fantasy of the Orient Express, and to really slow down and savour the journey (not just the destination). Pepper in some Malaysian charm – in the food, the exclusive excursions, and the distinct warmth of the local crew – and you've got a winner. Whether it's worth cashing out on the fantasy still comes down to your budget and travel style. But as we step off the train in Singapore — like slipping back through the wardrobe from Narnia – it crosses our mind: we'll be back, sometime, somehow.
AU Financial Review
12-06-2025
- AU Financial Review
You've heard of the luxury train. Now there's an Orient Express hotel
Hugo Toro can't keep still. The 35-year-old Franco-Mexican interior designer shifts in his chair, swings his crossed leg and taps his fingers on the travertine surface of the elegant table between us – a table of his own design, created for the grand and gloriously pretty lounge in which we're sipping verbena tea. It's a sunny morning in early April, and in less than a week, the Orient Express La Minerva hotel in Rome will open to the public, and Toro, who created every one of its interiors – from the subterranean hammam to the rooftop bar-restaurant – won't stop firing on all cylinders until every aesthetic detail is perfect.
Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Telegraph
The European rail journeys that offer timeless luxury (at £11,000 a ticket)
A long-distance luxury train journey may be the truest expression of the idea that how you travel is just as important as where you travel. The very best, of course, combine stellar style with stellar places to visit – think Paris and Istanbul, San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela, Rome and Palermo. And while often harking back to an earlier, golden age of travel, the trains themselves have moved seamlessly into the 21st century, offering supreme comforts, exquisite cuisine, cocktail bar conviviality and that greatest luxury of all: time. Such pleasures come with eye-watering price tags (see below), but with ever more high-end trains coming to Europe, there is clearly a market for them. At their best, luxury train journeys offer a gold-embossed ticket to adventure – here are nine of the finest, plus three more set to arrive on the Continent in the near future. 1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Belmond Let's start with the mother of all modern-day luxury train journeys: the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a magnificent recreation of the legendary Orient Express that used to transport the great and the good (and the not so good) between Paris and Istanbul in the years before and after the First World War. This train, which consists of beautifully restored art deco carriages complete with Lalique glass panels and black lacquer finishings, has been delighting lovers of this form of travel since 1982, and remains the benchmark for suave, sophisticated elegance on (and off) the rails. Fine dining, black-tie panache, piano-bar jollity and mountain-peak views at dawn are the hallmarks of a journey on this justly fabled train. Don't fancy those rather compact original bunk-bed compartments? Recent years have seen the addition of expansive suites offering double (or twin) beds, en suite bathrooms and free-flowing champagne. Departures: Journeys to Venice, Vienna and Istanbul, March-December. Price: Paris to Venice with Belmond from £3,530pp (historic cabin); £7,985pp (suite); £10,165pp (grand suite). 2. Britannic Explorer Belmond The latest addition to the Belmond stable – launching in July 2025 – marks a genuinely new departure, for the first time giving lovers of this form of travel the chance to explore the scenic wonders of England and Wales in a leisurely, indulgent way. Three itineraries take in the Cornish Riviera, Snowdonia and the Lake District, with a range of off-train activities including hikes, wild foraging and gallery visits enhanced with glasses of champagne. On board, there will be plenty of time to enjoy the buzz of the botanical-inspired bar, the culinary creativity of Michelin-renowned chef Simon Rogan and an interior design that incorporates themes of the English country garden and rugged coastlines, with light oak panelling, antique mirrored ceilings and arresting floral motifs. Departures: Selected dates between March and November. Price: Three-night journey with Belmond from £11,000pp. 3. La Dolce Vita Orient Express Arsenale/Accor The other new kid on the block for 2025 involves a bold take on the luxury train theme, one rooted, as the name suggests, in the Italy of La Dolce Vita – the 'sweet life', as depicted in the classic Frederico Fellini film set in Rome circa 1960. Cavorting Anita-Ekberg-style is not compulsory for passengers on this train, but there may be gasps of appreciation at the stylishness of an interior involving double beds, wood-beamed ceilings and vibrant hues of orange, terracotta and purple. One or two-night sorties starting in Rome visit the likes of Venice, Portofino and Sicily; the inaugural run in March 2025 was to the vineyards of Tuscany. Three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck oversees the cuisine. If it works, there could be more trains of this calibre down the line. Departures: Eight itineraries run on selected dates year-round. Price: One-night trips from €3,060pp (£2,588). 4. Al Andalus Renfe A stylish train for a stylish part of the world. The name Al Andalus conjures up the period of Moorish rule in Spain – it was what they called the vast area under their control. And boy did they leave their mark, most spectacularly in the grand design and intricate carvings of the fortress and palace at Alhambra in Granada, the start (or end) point of a gentle six-day meander through the wonders of Andalusia. Other treasures visited include Seville, Córdoba and Cadiz, the most ancient city in Europe. On board, some carriages are original Wagons-Lits, built in France in the 1920s and once enjoyed by members of the British royal family. Belle Époque flourishes are complemented by en-suite cabins featuring walls fashioned out of wooden marquetry (very Moorish). The bar and lounge cars are good places to mix, mingle and take stock, ideally over a glass of Jerez sherry. Departures: Granada-Seville on selected dates March-October. Price: From €6,000pp (£5,074) with Luxury Trains Spain. 5. El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo Renfe Why have one luxury train when you can have… four? Alongside Al Andalus in the south, Spain has no fewer than three top-end rail propositions in the north, all of which combine travel by train with shorter excursions by coach. The oldest (and most celebrated) is the El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo connecting the foodie haven of San Sebastián to Santiago de Compostela – end station of the fabled pilgrimage route. Journeying along tracks once used for the transportation of coal, this train, too, boasts some 1920s Pullman carriages and oozes opulence. The narrow-gauge track means that cabins are cosy, though a 2011 reconfiguration made more of the spaces available. Breakfasts and most dinners are on board, while lunches tend to involve visits to restaurants showcasing regional specialities such as Asturian fabada (stew) or Cantabrian anchovies. Stops include Bilbao, Santander and the medieval treasure of Santillana del Mar. The train is stationary at night, though the same may not necessarily be said of passengers who find their way to the 'disco car'. Departures: March to November. Price: From €9,250pp (£7,822) with Luxury Trains Spain. 6. Costa Verde Express Renfe Tracing a slightly shorter but similar route, the Costa Verde Express offers a more reasonably priced way to journey through the verdant landscapes of northern Spain's Costa Verde (green coast). Expansive windows offer great views of the rugged coastal scenery and the dramatic peaks of the Picos de Europa. Big-hitters here include Bilbao (of Guggenheim Museum fame) and Altamira, site of some of the greatest prehistoric cave art in the world. There are opportunities to explore lesser-heralded towns such as Arriondas, the beaches (and breezes) of Gijón and Ribadeo, and to sample the wonderful white wines of Galicia – best accompanied by freshly shucked oysters in the open-air food market of Santiago de Compostela. Departures: March to November. Price: From €4,700pp (£3,975) with Luxury Trains Spain. 7. El Expreso de la Robla Renfe For those not sure about spending too many days on a train, a more modest three-day/two-night adventure between Bilbao and León may appeal. Less lavishly appointed (and priced), the train comes with comfortable bunk-bed cabins, air conditioning and vintage-style lounges from which to take in the passing scenery. Highlights include out-of-the-way villages such as Frías, the waterfalls at Tobera, the Roman town of La Olmeda and the gothic cathedral of León. A longer itinerary – the Pilgrim's Route, starting and ending in Oviedo and extending over six days – gives passengers the chance to combine the train travels with some fairly substantial walks. Nothing like building up an appetite for suckling pig and pintxos (Basque tapas). Departures: The classic Bilbao to León route operates June to September. Price: From €1,150pp (£973) Luxury Trains Spain. 8. Golden Eagle Danube Express Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Some very different sides to Europe are opened up on a train which whisks you though the great capitals of the Habsburg Empire and delves deep into the Balkans. The train – which includes carriages belonging to the presidential train in communist Hungary – was given a comprehensive makeover after it became part of Golden Eagle Luxury Trains in 2015, with larger cabins, en-suite bathrooms throughout and more emphasis on fine dining. As befits its adventurous central and eastern Europe itineraries – highlighting countries such as Poland, Bulgaria and Bosnia-Herzegovina – there is less formality on this train and a more relaxed dress code. That said, necks should perhaps be covered when the train travels through Transylvania… Departures: Multiple itineraries on selected dates year-round. 9. Royal Scotsman Belmond Can anything compare with an open-air observation deck from which you can marvel at spellbinding scenery – in this case the Scottish Highlands? Belmond's long-running Royal Scotsman is the only luxury train in Europe offering such a facility – one of many reasons for its enduring popularity, particularly with Americans. With its mahogany panelling and tasteful traces of tartan, this train seeks to combine the feel of an Edwardian country house with modern-day indulgences such as an on-board spa. Accommodation options range from single cabins to grand suites with dressing tables. Itineraries start and end in Edinburgh, venturing to the north and west, taking in castles, gardens and distilleries, and the engineering marvels of the Firth of Forth Bridge and Glenfinnan Viaduct (of Harry Potter fame). This being the land of the brave, there are optional swims in freshwater lochs. Fortunately the train is well stocked with reviving malt whiskies. Departures: Two to seven-day itineraries from April to November. Price: Taste of the Highlands (two nights) from £4,800pp with Belmond. All these trains can be booked through the Luxury Train Club.
