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How to Live Out Your Own ‘Murder on the Orient Express’

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is among the tightest, most thrilling, and most suspenseful murder mysteries ever told. Now, backed by a heavy hitter celebrity cast, Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation delivers it to the big screen in a beautiful, highly stylized way. From an escape room train ride inspired by the book to luxurious, Orient Express-era luggage, here are three ways to live out the story’s thrills, glamour, and allure.

Solve a “Murder on the Orient Express” in Finland

On a single train route this December 13, Finnish Railways is converting most of the train cars into a long-distance escape room experience inspired by Murder on the Orient Express. The ride from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (the capital of Lapland) takes 13 hours and will likely be the longest-running escape room in history. The state railway brand worked with InsideOut Escape Games to create one of the most immersive, real-life murder mystery games ever. Participants will be able to explore a total of 14 cars on the route: two designed specifically for the game, and another dozen open to exploring for clues. Many of the finer details are being kept quiet. However, the entire game will be live-streamed, and it’s likely the online audience will have a say in the game’s outcome.

Sport this Deco Luggage by Globe-Trotter

Globe-Trotter’s Deco luggage series seeks to recapture the vintage sophistication of early 20th-century train travel. The complementary his and her color palettes of Navy/Natural and Ivory/Navy feature a reserved two-tone design inspired by the train carriage interiors of the original Orient Express. The exterior webbing straps on every luggage piece are a further nod to travel by rail in the 1930s. The exclusive set is available in a variety of bags and accessories — from simple leather luggage tags to jewelry/watch cases to 30-inch Extra Deep Suitcases.

Visit the First and Last Stop on the Real Orient Express

European brand Jumeirah is celebrating the real-life Orient Express train route with unique, Murder on the Orient Express-inspired packages at two of its hotels. Guests staying at the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in Belgravia (near the Orient Express’ first stop in London) will receive a copy of the classic book, a special Turkish ‘evil eye’ charm to ward off spirits, and all the right ingredients to fix their own Grasshopper cocktail (a favorite of the main character, Hercule Poirot). At the Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah in Istanbul, package guests will find a USB stick in the shape of Christie’s diary key, an Agatha Christie keychain, a themed cocktail, and exclusive tours of the Old City and Sirkeci Train Station (once the last stop on the original Orient Express). The Istanbul hotel’s Agatha Restaurant also offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience inspired by the author’s classic novel.

Feature image by Nicola Dove/Twentieth Century Fox.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
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