The distinctive navy and cream livery of the Orient Express as she waits for us to board in Venice. Whilst the locomotive was obviously a diesel one instead of steam, the carriages were the original 1920's ones, painstakingly restored to their former glory.
 

We were allocated coach G, which was an original 1929 carriage. These were the proper 'old-fashioned' train carriages with separate compartments and the corridor running along outside.

Here's Trevor just before boarding. You can see straightaway that this is a train a cut above the rest! Whilst smart-but-casual clothing was the order of the day (no jeans or trainers allowed at all!) we would look forward to dressing up for dinner.

Our compartment was opulent; hand carved marquetry, tapestry cushions, wood inlay and a porcelain wash-basin.

Each carriage is allocated its own personal steward, who is there to attend to the passengers' every need. Ours was a lovely Frenchman called Sebastien. Nothing was too much trouble for him. He was at our beck and call 24 hours a day, and everything he did for us, he did with a smile.

"Could you bring me a glass of champagne please, Sebastien?"

"Mais certainement, Madame!"

Inevitably, some wag shouted "Come quickly, there's been a murder!" and thought they were the first person to say it :-)

Whilst smart-casual attire is the norm aboard Orient Express, everyone delights in dressing for dinner. Authentic 20's outfits are encouraged, but in any case formal evening wear is a must.

Here's Trevor in the bar-car before dinner. Just look at the plush upholstery, curtains and lampshades. The bar-car contained a baby-grand piano from which a tail-coated pianist played a variety of tasteful classical pieces.

All around us, our fellow passengers, resplendent in sartorial elegance, sipped from champagne flutes and nibbled on canapés.