From November and December 2026, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will bring the magic of a European Christmas to life. Guests travelling to Vienna can enjoy festive décor, seasonal cocktails, live music and visits to the city’s famous Christmas markets.
Festive Elegance on the British Pullman
The British Pullman will return with its popular festive rail journeys through the English countryside. It brings together elegant seasonal décor, specially created menus, bespoke cocktails, wine pairings and Christmas crackers, while Veuve Clicquot returns for a second year of festive collaboration. The newly introduced Celia carriage, designed by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, will also be available for private celebrations, including Christmas events and black-tie New Year’s Eve gatherings with a four-course dinner, entertainment and a midnight toast.
European Christmas Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express brings the romance of Christmas to the rails with festive décor, seasonal cocktails and live musical moments. On selected journeys to Vienna, guests can extend the experience beyond the train with time to explore the Austrian capital’s much-loved Christmas markets, known for their glowing squares, artisan stalls and traditional festive treats.
Rio de Janeiro New Year at the Iconic Copacabana Palace
Copacabana Palace will once again take centre stage for Rio de Janeiro’s famous New Year’s Eve celebrations. Guests will gather around the hotel’s iconic pool for an elegant banquet dinner, signature cocktails and music from leading DJs before heading to the terrace for views of the fireworks lighting up Copacabana Bay at midnight. The celebration will continue until dawn, bringing the energy of Rio directly into the hotel. The season will also mark the reopening of the Pool Wing following a 19-month renovation, alongside the launch of LUMIO, a new Italian restaurant, and a five-floor wellness destination.
Christmas and New Year in Malaysia
The Eastern & Oriental Express will bring a distinctly Malaysian spirit to the festive season with special Christmas and New Year journeys through the country. The train will be transformed with festive décor, live piano performances, singers, carols, mulled wine and Christmas crackers, creating a warm celebration on board. Christmas Day will feature a gala menu by Culinary Curator André Chiang, while guests can choose to attend Christmas Mass in historic George Town. For New Year’s Eve, celebrations will include gala dining, live entertainment, a champagne countdown and an exclusive platform celebration at Kuala Lumpur station inspired by Malaysia’s cultural heritage.
A Sparkling Christmas in Florence
For the first time, Villa San Michele in Florence will remain open throughout the festive season, welcoming guests until 3 January 2027. The hotel’s historic setting will be transformed with festive decorations and twinkling lights, creating a warm backdrop for dining, wellness and cultural experiences. Guests can enjoy DJ evenings and guest bartenders at Bar Doccia, aperitivi with local producers, live concerts, calligraphy workshops and a Panettone and rum tasting. The season will also include Christmas brunch, a New Year’s Eve dinner with live music and bespoke treatments at the new Spa by Guerlain.
A Madeiran Celebration with Reid’s Palace
Reid’s Palace in Madeira will celebrate the festive period with a programme inspired by Portuguese craftsmanship, local culture and exceptional food. The hotel lobby will feature a special Christmas installation by Portuguese luxury house Alameda Turquesa, while pastry chef François Perret will create a limited-edition afternoon tea. From 20 December to 2 January, guests can take part in local experiences such as traditional recipe workshops, ornament painting and Christmas broas tastings. The programme also includes elegant dinners, live entertainment and New Year’s Eve views of Funchal’s world-famous fireworks display.
Festive Magic in Portofino
Splendido Mare will bring a festive touch to Portofino’s iconic Piazzetta, transforming the village into an atmospheric winter destination. A seasonal installation created with Vincenzo D’Ascanio will form the centrepiece of celebrations, while local boutiques will remain open throughout the winter months. Guests can enjoy a series of special culinary events at DaV Mare, including seafood experiences with Bobo Cerea, chocolate creations with Davide Comaschi and panettone moments with Simone Finazzi. Beyond the piazza, guided meditation walks and hiking routes around Monte di Portofino will offer guests a quieter way to explore the Riviera.
Caribbean Festivities at Cap Juluca
Cap Juluca in Anguilla offers a sun-filled escape for guests looking to exchange winter cold for Caribbean warmth. The resort’s festive programme will include celebratory dining, epicurean masterclasses and a multi-course truffle experience, all set beside the turquoise waters of Maundays Bay. Acclaimed chef Gregory Gourdet will join the tenth edition of the property’s Culinary Shores series for a special multi-day residency. Meanwhile, Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain will introduce Longeviskin, Guerlain’s aesthetic innovation designed to support skin longevity, making it the first destination in the Caribbean and Latin America to offer the experience.
Christmas in Chelsea at The Cadogan
The Cadogan will celebrate Christmas with a distinctly British festive programme at its historic Chelsea address. The hotel will feature a striking outdoor Christmas tree created with a British artist, roaring fires in the lobby and signature suites, and a mulled wine and hot chocolate cart for visitors and local shoppers. Guests can take part in mince pie and beef Wellington cookery masterclasses, enjoy afternoon tea in The Drawing Room, or savour indulgent Sunday roasts at Willett’s. Christmas menus created with chef Alexandra Dudley will shine a light on seasonal British ingredients, while a festive day aboard the nearby British Pullman can complete the experience.
Wellness Escape Through the Peruvian Andes
Andean Explorer will invite guests to end the year with a slower and more restorative journey through Peru’s striking Andean landscapes. Travelling across the Altiplano from Cusco to Arequipa, the exclusive departure has been curated by movement facilitator Anabella Landa and is designed around yoga, meditation and mindfulness. Guests will experience remote lagoons, high peaks and open skies while travelling aboard South America’s first luxury sleeper train. The journey creates space to pause, reflect and reset before the New Year, pairing wellness with the romance of luxury rail travel.
