Featuring queer artists and famed names in Hollywood, the November adventure offers a 24-hour dance party on wheels. Image courtesy of Belmond
LVMH-owned hospitality group Belmond is facilitating a queer-friendly voyage from Paris to Venice aboard the Orient Express.
Slated for the fall, the company is presenting its second-annual Travel with Pride trip itinerary, featuring a lineup of celebrity performers including American DJ Honey Dijon and German music producer Purple Disco Machine. Belmond's entertainment-forward Venice Simplon-Orient-Express adventure will benefit British charity Not A Phase, which supports trans and non-gender-conforming adults via community efforts.
“As a sign of Belmond’s continued commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all guests and members of staff, where individuality is celebrated, we are delighted to welcome back this special ‘Travel with Pride’ journey after its huge inaugural success last year as well as proud to continue our support of Not A Phase,” said Pascal Deyrolle, general manager of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Belmond Europe, in a statement.
Locomotive lifts LGBTQ+ programming
Hosted by American television producer and actor Gary Janetti and Canadian fashion stylist Brad Goreski, the one-night-only affair begins in Paris.
Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will depart the city at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2023, beginning the excursion wherein locomotive carriages will be transformed into party spaces and musical performances will take place.
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Bespoke cocktails and chilled Champagne will be available throughout the entire trip — a four-course, seasonal table d'hôte dinner will also offer travelers exclusive bites curated by Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert — and guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.
Following the “drag extravaganza,” the cinematic train (see story) will arrive in Venice on Nov. 3, 2023, at 5 p.m.
Starting at $4,685 per person for a Historic Cabin booking, the tickets include ground transfers on both sides of the trip, 24-hour steward service, meals, a sommelier-chosen wine and unlimited soft beverages.
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Reservations can be made at https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/venice-simplon-orient-express/journeys/travel-with-pride-from-paris-to-venice.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be back for a second year of celebrations on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with our friends at Belmond,” said Danielle St. James, founder of Not A Phase, in a statement.
“It is through events and points of visibility like these that we are able to continue to grow and maintain our projects around the U.K. that support the trans+ community and spread a message of pure joy,” Mr. St. James said. “We truly appreciate Belmond’s support and look forward to continuing to work together to celebrate diversity and create positive change.”