Venice Simplon-Orient-Express last night handed over a cheque for £15,575 to the Venice in Peril Fund, the British committee for the preservation of Venice, at the charity’s annual members’ dinner.
The money was raised from a donation of £25 for every Venetian Overture package booked through Orient-Express’ own tours brochure ‘Journeys of Distinction’, during the 2005 season which ran from March to November.
The cheque was presented to Venice in Peril Honourable Chairman The Viscount Norwich CVO by VSOE Chief Executive Nick Varian who said, “Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a proud supporter of Venice in Peril and I am delighted that we are able to contribute to the good work that the charity does in preserving the beautiful city of Venice.”
The project chosen to benefit from the money raised is the restoration of an XVIII Century Chinese screen housed at the Museum of Oriental Art in Ca Pesaro, Venice. The works should be completed by next year.
Mr. Varian added: “This collaboration will continue into 2006 with a donation from each booking made of all three Venetian packages offered in our brochure – Venetian Overture, Venetian Rhapsody and Venetian Serenade. We hope to generate a significant donation each year which will help to rescue and restore Venetian monuments, buildings and works of art.”
As far back as the early 20th Century when Society was first discovering the richness of Venice, the Orient-Express was deemed the only way to arrive. Today the distinctive blue and gold Wagons-Lits carriages still trace their way across Europe from London and Paris to re-create this golden age of travel.
For further information on journeys to Venice call Orient-Express on 0845 077 2222 or visit www.orient-express.com. For further information on Venice in Peril visit www.veniceinperil.org
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