Amalfi

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is set to journey all the way from Paris to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Its inauguration will be on May 4, 2026. The train trundles out of the French capital for an overnight journey to Pompeii

The world’s most famous and fanciest train has announced a new route.

There are few, if any, rail operators as synonymous with opulent luxury and glamour as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE). Close to a century and a half since the original train launched, the new service, which takes inspiration from the original, continues to wow guests.

According to Travel + Leisure, the VSOE will travel from Paris to the Amalfi Coast in Italy and will be inaugurated on May 4, 2026.

The train trundles out of the French capital for an overnight journey to Pompeii. The going is leisurely, with guests able to enjoy food and drink in the painstakingly preserved 1920s carriages. It will feature cocktails and live piano music in the train’s famed Bar Car 3674.

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Train travellers can disembark in Pompeii and explore the historic UNESCO site, which has been preserved by ash from Mount Vesuvius. Grand Suite guests can enjoy exclusive access to the rarely opened Casa del Larario Regio V, an archaeological treasure that Caruso supports through its preservation efforts.

A boat will then whisk guests to the lavish Caruso hotel in Positano for a two-night stay. The hotel is known for its history and its newly restyled La Piscina infinity pool, perched 1,000 feet above the sea.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express general manager Pascal Deyrolle told WWD: “This journey offers guests a unique way to experience one of Italy’s most celebrated coastlines — with its cliffs, villages and sea views revealed in a way that only the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express can provide.”

Before you book any annual leave, it’s important to note one thing. The trip is not cheap. The price tag for a ticket on the Paris to Amalfi service looks to set you back a hefty £8,600.

While that may sound pretty expensive (and it is), that fee does include all meals, transfers and excursions. It’s all relative at least. The priciest route could leave you more than £60,000 lighter for the Grand Suite on a five-day expedition travelling from Istanbul to Paris.

There are other luxury trains on offer.

Luxury brand Belmond is set to launch The Britannic Explorer, offering a three-night journey through Wales this year.

Passengers boarding the Britannic Explorer are advised to pack walking shoes and a dinner jacket or cocktail dress. This is the first luxury sleeper train to operate in England and Wales, complete with an onboard spa. Guests will slumber in stunning suites, indulge in world-class dining curated by a Michelin-star chef, and partake in excursions such as hikes in the Welsh countryside, visits to a luxury pub, and clay pigeon shooting.

Prices start at £11,000, based on a double cabin for three nights, inclusive of excursions, meals, wine, and alcoholic beverages on board.

A three-night route through Wales departs from London Victoria, stopping at Llandrindod Wells and Machynlleth, via Haverfordwest, Porthmadog and Barmouth, before returning to London via the Cotswolds.

The itinerary reveals that on the first day, guests will check-in and enjoy an afternoon tea crafted by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, featuring Welsh teacakes and Bara Brith, reports Wales Online.

Travel writer Sophie Law headed to the Amalfi Coast to try out Uber’s new helicopter and boat ride experience that lets you explore one of Italy’s most beautiful coastlines from a different angle.

It’s not every day you get to tick off a bucket-list experience — especially one that has you soaring above one of the most dazzling coastlines in the world.

But thanks to Uber’s latest luxurious offering, I found myself stepping into a helicopter for the very first time, ready to see the Amalfi Coast like never before.

Uber’s new Uber Copter service — launched just in time for what promises to be a bustling summer season — felt like stepping into a scene reserved for the rich and famous.

My nerves were jittery at first — naturally! — but from the moment we lifted off from the exclusive helipad in Sorrento, the experience was astonishingly smooth. Forget the turbulence of your typical commercial flight; this was sheer luxury.

The journey took just 15 minutes to reach Capri, an island in Italy’s Bay of Naples famed for its expensive hotels, crystal-clear waters, and celebrity sightings — Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé, and the Kardashians, to name a few.

As we gracefully soared over the glittering Mediterranean, the dramatic cliffs and sun-soaked villages unfolded below us. One of the area’s most iconic natural wonders is the Blue Grotto — a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue, thanks to sunlight filtering through an underwater cave.

In summer, the Amalfi Coast’s cove-studded shoreline draws countless yachts — celebrity and billionaire superyachts often anchor in picturesque spots like Marina Piccola in Capri. Our two cheery pilots eagerly pointed out landmarks along the coastline, from ancient Roman ruins to luxurious hotels.

And just like that, we touched down in Capri and were whisked away in a stylish pink convertible jeep (another pinch-me moment). The helicopter experience is one I’ll never forget — and one that’s surprisingly easy to book. The view was mesmerizing: a vibrant, cinematic spectacle made accessible right from your smartphone via the Uber app.

The helicopter ride holds up to six people and costs £210 (€250) per person. While that may sound steep, a typical helicopter tour over the Amalfi Coast usually runs between €1,800 and €2,950 per group — so it’s relatively reasonable.

The round-trip journey includes door-to-door transportation to and from the helipad, with a 9am departure from Sorrento and 5pm return from Capri. But Uber wasn’t done spoiling us yet. Next up: a dreamy boat trip that felt almost too good to be true. And get this — it’s completely free for tourists all summer long.

The stylish boat (straight out of The Talented Mr. Ripley) picked us up from Sorrento Marina for a four-hour cruise along the coastline, stopping at pretty bays for swimming. We were given a guided tour along the way too, passing ruins, hotels, towns, and even a tiny island with a villa that can be rented for an eye-watering £125,000 a week.

Cruising leisurely along the Amalfi Coast in a chic Italian Gozzo 35 boat, we sipped chilled prosecco and ate salty snacks before docking at the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site town of Positano for a lunch of courgette pasta, a regional speciality, and Aperol Spritz.

The view of the pastel-coloured town climbing up the mountainside — one of Amalfi’s most famous vistas — was even more extraordinary from sea level and a great way to avoid the throngs of tourists. I’m told each trip includes a personal skipper, along with complimentary snacks and beverages, but you can bring your own, of course. Each boat can be chartered for up to 12 people.

These unforgettable experiences are part of Uber’s ambitious new initiative to transform travel on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

From helicopter transfers and luxury sea cruises to seamless ground transportation, Uber’s latest offerings ensure travellers can truly “go anywhere” by land, sea, or air and the summer services will run every Saturday and Sunday from July 26 to August 24.

Starting next month, you can book a helicopter transfer or free luxury boat trip with just a few taps on the Uber Reserve feature.

Trust me — it’s Amalfitani style at its finest, and it’ll leave you feeling like a celebrity.

Book it

Uber Copter rides for up to six people costs £210 (€250) per person. They can be booked on the Uber app by selecting the ‘Uber Copter’ icon from the home screen.

The private helicopter operates every Saturday and Sunday between July 26 and August 23, and includes transportation to and from the helipad, with a 9am departure from Sorrento and 5pm return from Capri.

The Uber Boat can also be booked through the Uber app on your phone and it’s free — select the ‘Uber Boat’ icon from the home screen. Boats depart every Saturday and Sunday from July 26 until August 24 at 10am from Sorrento’s marina.