The grand 24-hour ride from Florence to Paris on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is… a ticket to the golden age of railways

Amid the excitable commuters and day trippers at Florence’s Campo di Marte train station, our heels and polished brogues click and click conspicuously along the concourse. Overdressed?

Yes, we certainly are.

Most trains are a means of getting from A to B, but the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is different. We’re about to embark on a 24-hour journey celebrating the golden age of travel.

It is one of many new Grand Tour routes crossing Europe – through Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. There is a shudder of excitement as the shiny midnight blue carriages roll in. Fellow passengers, also in their finery, take a flurry of photos. Suitcases are taken by porters in neat uniforms. And soon we are taken to our vintage 1920s cabins.

The interior is impressive: soft carpet, glossy walnut cabinets. Smart chairs can be folded into beds. Cabinets hide compact ceramic sinks. There is ornate floral inlay by Art Deco master René Prou ​​and engraved glass panels by René Lalique. It is just over 8.30am from Basingstoke.

Angelina notes that her fellow passengers, “also in their finery,” “take a flurry of photos” as they board the train. ‘Suitcases are taken by porters in neat uniforms. And soon we are taken to our vintage cabins from the 1920s,” she adds

And Belmond has launched even more luxurious Grand Suites – spread over an entire carriage with luxury beds, marble showers and private dining.

There’s something nostalgic (and indulgent) about riding the rails in this style, yet this form of travel seems thoroughly modern – perfect for those who want to travel sustainably and slowly.

Lunch is served as the train heads towards northern Italy, passing sun-drenched towns and tomato fields. There are three dining cars, each with 1920s motifs: Etoile du Nord (with wood paneling and Art Deco carpet); Côte d’Azur (with Lalique glass panels); and L’Oriental (with its Asian-inspired decoration).

Chef Jean Imbert’s menus focus on seasonal ingredients, inspired by landscapes through which the train passes. Clear tomato soup studded with herbs and summer flowers, followed by sea bass in shellfish sauce. Roasted cherry and pistachio ice cream as we meander through Emilia-Romagna.

The train journey, part of which can be seen here, is one of many new Grand Tour routes crossing Europe – through Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands

There are three dining cars, each with 1920s motifs: Etoile du Nord (with wood paneling and Art Deco carpet); Côte d’Azur (with Lalique glass panels); and L’Oriental (with its Asian-inspired decoration). The menus focus on seasonal ingredients, inspired by the landscapes the train passes through

You quickly get used to the clicking sound of the songs, mixed with the clinking of crystal and porcelain. It seems that at any time a doorman can knock on the door to offer a glass of fizz. Outside, the vistas shift from cypress trees to shimmering lakes.

Then, before you know it, a voice announces dinner. There’s an Agatha Christie feel about this evening: floor-length women, sequined dresses, men in tuxedos. Sitting on green velvet chairs in the Etoile du Nord dining car, we expect to see Poirot at any moment.

White-gloved waiters serve chilled champagne and delicate appetizers. The tables are full of delicacies of sea bream tartare, lobster and Bellini peach melba.

By evening we reach Switzerland and the Alps, and as the train heads towards the Gotthard Pass it is time for us to move to bar car ‘3674’ for a nightcap. It’s wonderfully glamorous, with plenty of bonhomie as guests sip martinis while a pianist plays a baby grand piano.

I am lulled to sleep by the movement of the train as it passes through the countryside of France, with Paris waiting in line. Anyway, oui!