In 1883 the era of great international express trains began with the Orient Express from Paris to Constantinople (now known as Istanbul, Turkey). Founded by Belgian entrepreneur Georges Nagelmackers, the Orient Express was the unrivaled standard of excellence for rail travel for almost 100 years. Its route began in Paris and wound its way through some of Europe’s major cities including Lausanne, Switzerland, Milan, Venice and Trieste, Italy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Sofia in Bulgaria and Edirne, Turkey before reaching its final destination in Istanbul (Constantinople). Sadly, it ceased to operate in 1977.