New York, New York – Italy’s first luxury train, La Dolce Vita Orient Express, will begin its coveted journeys in spring 2025. Bookings are now available at orient-express.com. The new all-inclusive train journey includes eight exclusive return journeys “Made in Italy” Itineraries departing from Rome include popular destinations such as Venice, Matera, Tuscany, Piedmont, Portofino, Abruzzo and Sicily. On board, guests will enjoy dishes prepared by acclaimed three-star chef Heinz Beck, who oversees the kitchen on board the rail journeys.
Led by newly appointed General Manager Samy Ghachem, previously Managing Director at Sereno Hotels and Frosch, this partnership features Italian luxury hotel group Arsenale SpA, Orient Express and Trenitalia-Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato, Fondazione DFS and Treni Turistici Italian TTI.
It is a privilege to be part of La Dolce Vita Orient Express at this key stage in the revival of the iconic Orient Express brand and the first Italian foray into the world of luxury rail hospitality.
explained Ghachem. The La Dolce Vita Orient Express offers an inimitable interpretation of luxurious rail travel, reviving a bygone era from a contemporary perspective in Italian style.
A highly designed journey through time
The train’s design concept was created by Dimorestudio. The train’s aesthetics have been masterfully curated to convey the art of Italian living. The sumptuous interior celebrates the timeless craftsmanship of the 1960s and 1970s. “The sweet life” Period. On board, guests enjoy an intimate travel experience with 12 carriages accommodating no more than 62 passengers. The train features 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites and a La Dolce Vita suite, all combining romance, style, the art of intimate encounters and relaxation, supported by a cruise model for round-trip experiences.
Embark on eight exclusive itineraries
The beauty of the train is matched with the natural splendor of the country. The journeys cover a total of 16,000 kilometers of track, of which almost 7,000 kilometers are non-electrified railway lines, spanning 14 regions and 131 cities across Italy.
As part of the experience, guests can enjoy carefully designed and unforgettable excursions and full board accommodation. The eight itineraries cover the entire country and offer journeys into the heart of nature, through lakes, forests, magnificent coastlines and Alpine mountains, as well as immersing themselves in the centers of cities that are international centers of art and culture, such as Venice and Rome.
The itineraries also offer access to once-remote destinations such as Matera in Basilicata, the third oldest city in the world, with its ancient architecture, caves and stunning natural beauty, and Palena, a beautiful hilltop village in Abruzzo with medieval architecture, scenic views and rich cultural heritage. One notable itinerary also includes the world’s first passenger rail ferry to reach the island of Sicily, where the train is uncoupled in Calabria and loaded onto a ferry to continue the experience on the water before being reassembled in Messina and continuing on the tracks. Popular and favourite destinations such as Tuscany, Portofino and Piedmont are additionally highlighted.
Train journeys include access to the newly refurbished La Dolce Vita Orient Express Executive Lounge in Roma Ostiense for a comfortable and seamless travel experience.
A Michelin-starred culinary journey within a journey
In collaboration with Beck & Maltese Consulting, renowned three-star chef Heinz Beck will lead the kitchen on board the rail cruises. Guests will enjoy menus created by this world-renowned chef with a deep connection to Italy. With the aim of making his cuisine a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the train will offer regional and thematic routes celebrating the culinary diversity of each region crossed during each journey.
The wines on board are curated in collaboration with Vinitaly, one of the world’s largest and most significant international wine and spirits expeditions, showcasing a wide range of viticulture, from the well-known brands to rare and undiscovered wineries that always represent quality and the uniqueness that is typical of Italy. During the train adventures, guests can take a spirited Italian journey through six wine companies selected by Vinitaly, representing Northern, Southern and Central Italy. This is in line with the broader brand goal of fostering connections with local Italian life and celebrating authentic symbols of Italian excellence. This is just one of many exciting brand collaborations announced to highlight the best of each region that will bring the “Made in Italy” Itineraries are visited.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express celebrates Italian design with a modern approach
The Orient Express train, La Dolce Vita, combines the golden age of Italian design with a more contemporary spirit of travel. The project draws inspiration from masters of Italian design, including Carlo Scarpa, Gio Ponti and Ignazio Gardella, to the great artists of the Spatialism movement who placed space and time at the centre of their compositions, such as Lucio Fontana, Agostino Bonalumi and Enrico Castellani. The design project was conceived to embody a flawless and understated balance between the historical and the contemporary, while maintaining its authenticity. The spaces are thoughtfully designed and always well-curated, and subtle details complement each other in a graceful way.
Guests can book directly online at www.orient-express.com/la-dolce-vita or contact their travel agent. Prices depend on travel preferences and departure date. Starting prices for one night are EUR 3,500 per person in a deluxe cabin and EUR 4,700 per person in a suite.
The opening of La Dolce Vita Orient Express comes ahead of the expected opening of the first two Orient Express hotels: Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, followed by Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice. Further information will be announced later in 2024.
About Accor, a world-leading hotel group
Accor is a world-leading hospitality group, offering experiences in 5,600 hotels, 10,000 food and beverage outlets, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces in more than 110 countries. The Group has one of the most diverse hospitality ecosystems in the industry, comprising more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive actions in terms of business ethics and integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, social commitment and diversity and inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC market (ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on XFacebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Jessaline Fynbo
Accor
