The golden age of rail travel returned to South-east Asia when the Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, pulled out of Singapore’s Woodlands station on Sunday, 11 February.
After a four-year gap, the iconic train’s 15 dark green carriages with their restyled interiors were bound for Penang and Langkawi before heading back to Singapore.
The revamped Eastern & Oriental Express has eight sleeping carriages, two restaurants, a Piano Bar, and the open-air Observation Car. The air-conditioned cabins – Pullman, State, and Presidential – are designed to reflect the different landscapes the train travels through.
The E&O Express has appointed chef André Chiang as its new culinary curator. With two Michelin stars and a placement in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants under his belt,
Chiang's menu will feature dishes like Laksa Bouillabaisse, Black-bone Chicken Consommé and Jungle Spices Cacao Ganache.
The luxury train will offer several themed trips, including the Veuve Clicquot Solaire Journey. On this trip, guests will have access to Veuve Clicquot's cellar master, Didier Mariotti, who will lead champagne tastings, while the train's culinary curator will design bespoke dishes to be paired with the champagne house's most prestigious vintages, including La Grande Dame series.
Veuve Clicquot's Solaire Journey runs from 22 - 25 April 2024.
Launching in March, the Eastern and Oriental Express' Wild Malaysia itinerary includes an excursion into the Taman Negara National Park, where guests can choose between three activities: an educational tour of the park to learn about the endangered Malayan Tigers, a wildlife photography class, or an exploration of the rainforest's ancient caves.
In May, a special Tiger Express journey designed with the train's partner, Save Wild Tigers, aims to raise awareness of the conservation efforts to save the Malay Tiger from extinction, contributing to the fight against illegal poaching and habitat loss. This journey incorporates the Wild Malaysia itinerary, concluding with two nights at The Datai in Langkawi.