Stazione Tiburtina, Rome. Here I am, ready to discover the new Grand Tour from Rome to Paris launched by Venice Simplon-Orient Express, a homage to the great voyages of the Golden Age of travel. The same carriages where Graham Greene set his Stamboul Train, and Agatha Christie imagined Murder on the Orient Express. I ask myself, ‘What am I going to do for the next 24 hours?’ Here's how I spent my time.

First up: acclimatise. Adjust to the slow, confined surroundings. There is so much beauty in the Art Deco carriages. Then, onto exploring the cabin and uncovering its secrets (the basin is enclosed in a walnut briar inlaid cabinet). I suggest hanging your evening gowns – you need at least two, one for the afternoon and one for the evening – on the antique, slightly délabré, velvet hangers. Feel free to bring along all your smartest and shiniest belongings. Crystals and diamonds would make Christie proud.