THE FACTS ABOUT ORIENT EXPRESS

WHAT Luxury lovers will be disappointed by the lack of private bathrooms despite the train's opulence but, even without Agatha Christie's helping hand, the romance of the Orient-Express train puts it into the 'journey of a lifetime' league. The 1883 inaugural trip went from Paris to Istanbul and this will be repeated over five nights next August, travelling through France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria to Turkey (although the modern-day route differs from the one taken more than a century ago). There are overnight stops in Budapest and Bucharest as well as an early-morning tour of Peles Castle in Sinaia, Romania. The tour includes a three-night stay in Istanbul. Contact Venice Simplon-Orient-Express on 020 7805 5100; www.orient-express.com. WHEN August BONUS POINTS Price includes sightseeing tours and four nights in five-star hotels PRICE A 10-day trip costs £4,460, based on two sharing a double cabin (£5,235 for a cabin suite), including Eurostar to Paris, accommodation, meals on the train and one-way flights to Heathrow. A one-way train trip costs £3,510 (double cabin).