From the US to Europe, I'm no stranger to overnight trains.
Starting with 30-hour Amtrak rides up and down the East Coast in 2021, I've taken six sleeper trains through the US and European countries, including Germany, Austria, and Italy.
I've booked various accommodations on these rides, from shared cabins on a budget to a $1,000 Amtrak bedroom.
But none of those rides surprised me like the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, a luxury Belmond train made of vintage Orient Express carriages that are nearly 100 years old.
The historic train travels to 17 European cities on 60 routes. I recently booked a one-night ride from Paris to Venice, Italy, in the cheapest available accommodation, a private cabin that cost $9,000. The most expensive sleeping quarters are grand suites, which start at $26,000 per room.
This was my first-ever luxury train ride, and while I expected high-end details, some surprises made my trip feel more lavish than I'd anticipated.