17 September - afternoon

ah! Lunch. Well, the dining cars are stunning masterpieces of restoration to their original art deco splendour.





We’re probably too overwhelmed by the cuisine to fully take in our surroundings. Tastefully presented veggi starter for the vegetarian in our family,





Eggs florentine for those wanting a light lunch in anticipation of meat for dinner later today, and for those who are full blooded carnivores !



Stations and city names speed by, continuing our journey north, into alpine Italy on our way towards Austria. . . .











roads and rail, gliding over valleys and slicing through mountains.







High into the mountains



then a gentle decline into Innsbruck for a brief halt, and a chance to stretch and take some mountain air.







Time to re-board, to find our compartments already prepared for the night.







Change for dinner, and head to the bar for cocktails. . . .





then retire for a slightly less than restful night of sleep!

17 September - morning

The days have sped by – surely a sign of a good time – and the moment to leave our apartment after packing and tidying . . .



board the water taxi and head out for Santa Lucia Station as our ‘neighbourhood’ prepares for a new day.







Enough time to pause at the station cafeteria for a jolt of espresso



and check in for one of the reasons for visiting Venice –



Great anticipation waiting on the station for the signal to board.







all amenities laid on for the next two days, as we travel back to London







Finally, ‘all aboard’!



No seat belts of course, so a quick safety check to ensure we’re ready for any sudden turbulence . . .







while some of us take things a little more sedately . . .



polished wood, gleaming brass-work, and champagne served while we await departure.





Finally, we’re moving, and crossing to the mainland via the causeway in more style than the the local ferry to the airport!



Onto terra firma, and into the farmland, valleys, orchards and vineyards of Northern Italy . . .









A perfect moving, picture taking platform!





Time for morning coffee . . . to sit back, relax and soak in the scenery flashing by.















Every station we pass seems to have it's share of Orient Express admirers



as we progress now through the Dolomite mountains







Tantalizing glimpses of spectacular country speeding by . . .





highway engineering marvels . . .





Then – a stroll through the piano bar



and time for lunch . . . .