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La Dolce Vita Orient Express | Italy’s New Luxury Train – Routes & 2026–2027 Dates

The La Dolce Vita Orient Express is Italy’s newest ultra-luxury train, offering elegant all-inclusive rail journeys across the country’s most celebrated regions. Departing primarily from Rome, the train travels north towards Venice, Portofino and the Italian lakes, or south to Naples, Matera and Sicily, combining refined design with curated cultural experiences.

Unlike the historic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which operates international journeys across Europe, La Dolce Vita Orient Express is entirely dedicated to Italy. Designed with a contemporary interpretation of mid-century Italian style, it blends cinematic interiors, gourmet dining and immersive excursions to create a distinctly modern luxury rail experience.

The Luxury Train Travel Company specialises exclusively in high-end rail journeys across Europe and worldwide and provides expert planning, confirmed departure dates, suite guidance and tailored extensions throughout Italy. Our team offers specialist advice, priority cabin holds and seamless itinerary design.

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La Dolce Vita Orient Express Brochure

Download our La Dolce Vita Orient Express brochure for full details of routes, departure dates, suite categories and pricing. The brochure provides a clear overview of the different journeys across Italy, from short one-night experiences to extended multi-region tours.

Routes on La Dolce Vita Orient Express

The La Dolce Vita Orient Express operates a collection of refined Italy luxury train routes, each centred on Rome and designed to showcase the country’s landscapes, gastronomy and cultural heritage. Journeys travel north towards Venice, Siena, Verona and the Italian Riviera, or south to Naples, Matera, Taormina and Palermo in Sicily.

Short one-night itineraries explore iconic regions such as Tuscany and Venice, while longer two- and three-night journeys link multiple destinations in a single seamless experience. The flagship four-night Grand Tour connects Venice, Matera and Sicily, offering one of the most comprehensive luxury rail journeys in Italy.

The train also operates themed departures focused on wine, truffles, golf, seasonal celebrations and the historic Palio of Siena, blending guided off-train excursions with relaxed onboard living. Each route is fully inclusive, combining elegant suites, fine dining and attentive service with curated cultural experiences.

For a broader overview of rail journeys across the continent, see our guide to European luxury train tours. Travellers considering a longer itinerary in Italy may also be interested in the Golden Eagle Danube Express.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express Routes Comparison

Route NameTypeDurationDirectionMain RouteTheme / Focus
Tastes of Tuscan VineyardsRound trip1 nightNorthRome – Montalcino – RomeWine and Tuscan countryside
The Carnival PartyOne way1 nightNorthRome – Siena – VeniceCarnevale celebration
Venice to RomeOne way1 nightSouthVenice – Siena – RomeScenic one-way journey
Rome to VeniceOne way1 nightNorthRome – Siena – VeniceClassic northbound transfer
Rome, Portofino and VeniceOne way1 nightNorthRome – Portofino – VeniceRiviera and Venice highlights
Shores of SicilyRound trip1 nightSouthPalermo – Siracusa – Agrigento – PalermoSicilian cultural highlights
Venice & TuscanyRound trip2 nightsNorthRome – Venice – Siena – RomeClassic cultural route
Love is on the RailsRound trip2 nightsNorthRome – Verona – RomeRomantic themed journey
Eternal Stones of MateraRound trip2 nightsSouthRome – Matera – RomeUNESCO heritage and southern Italy
The Truffle RouteRound trip2 nightsNorthRome – Monferrato – RomeGastronomy and truffles
Whispers at MidnightRound trip2 nightsNorthRome – Montalcino – Venice – RomeNew Year celebration
Rome to Sicily via NaplesOne way2 nightsSouthRome – Naples – Taormina – PalermoSouthbound coastal journey
Sicily to Rome via NaplesOne way2 nightsSouthPalermo – Taormina – Naples – RomeNorthbound Sicily route
From Sicily to RomeOne way2 nightsSouthPalermo – Taormina – Maratea – RomeCoastal Sicily and mainland
From Rome to SicilyOne way2 nightsSouthRome – Maratea – Taormina – PalermoSouthbound coastal route
The Italian Wine RouteRound trip2 nightsNorthRome – Montalcino – Verona – RomeWine-focused journey
Jingle RouteRound trip2 nightsNorthRome – Naples – Florence – RomeFestive seasonal departure
Siena & The PalioRound trip2 nightsNorthRome – Siena – RomePalio festival themed
Venice and PortofinoRound trip2 nightsNorthRome – Venice – Portofino – RomeVenice and Riviera highlights
Italian SwingRound trip3 nightsSouthRome – Apulia – Tuscany – RomeGolf-focused journey
Northern GreensRound trip3 nightsNorthRome – Turin – Brescia – Tuscany – RomeGolf in northern Italy
The Grand TourRound trip4 nightsMulti-regionRome – Venice – Matera – Taormina – Palermo – RomeFlagship multi-region journey
From Rome to IstanbulOne way4 nightsEastboundRome – Venice – Budapest – Transylvania – IstanbulInternational grand route

Suites & Cabins on La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Cabin Comparison

Cabin TypeSizeBedBathroomNotes
Deluxe Cabin7 m² / 75 sq ft140 x 190 cm sofa-bedEnsuiteCompact, elegant cabin for two
Suite11 m² / 118 sq ft140 x 190 cm double or twinEnsuiteLarger layout with lounge seating
La Dolce Vita Orient Express Cabin Plans
La Dolce Vita Orient Express Cabin Plans

Suites

The Suites offer a spacious and refined environment, designed in warm tones inspired by Italian mid-century style. Each suite features a comfortable lounge area by day and converts into a bedroom at night, with a private en-suite bathroom.

● 11 m² / 118 sq ft
● Double or twin bed (140 x 190 cm)
● Lounge seating area
● En-suite bathroom

Photos and illustrations are for guidance only and may differ to your actual cabin.

Deluxe Cabins

Deluxe Cabins provide a comfortable and stylish retreat, combining clever design with classic Orient Express details. By day the cabin features a sofa and seating area; by night it converts into a double bedroom.

● 7 m² / 75 sq ft
● Sofa converts to 140 x 190 cm double bed
● En-suite bathroom
● Compact, efficient layout

Photos and illustrations are for guidance only and may differ to your actual cabin.

La Dolce Vita Luxury train Gallery

A selection of photos below give a flavour of life on board La Dolce Vita Orient Express Train.

Life Onboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Life onboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express is designed to evoke the glamour of Italian travel in the 1960s, reinterpreted through contemporary luxury. Interiors draw inspiration from mid-century design, with rich fabrics, polished metals and warm tones creating an atmosphere that feels both cinematic and intimate.

Dining Experience

Dining is a central highlight of the journey. Menus celebrate regional Italian cuisine, with dishes reflecting the landscapes travelled — from Tuscan vineyards to Sicilian coastal towns. Meals are served in elegantly designed restaurant cars, accompanied by carefully selected Italian wines.

Lounge & Social Spaces

The bar and lounge carriage forms the social heart of the train. Evenings often begin with aperitivo before dinner and conclude with live music, cocktails and relaxed conversation. The atmosphere is refined yet informal, encouraging guests to enjoy the journey as much as the destinations.

Atmosphere & Dress Code

Dress is smart-casual during the day, with many guests choosing elegant attire for dinner. The tone is sophisticated but not formal, reflecting contemporary Italian style rather than traditional black-tie rail travel.

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Practical FAQs

La Dolce Vita Orient Express journeys range from one-night experiences to extended four-night Grand Tour itineraries. Most departures are one or two nights, linking Rome with destinations such as Venice, Tuscany, Matera and Sicily. Multi-night journeys combine several regions in a single seamless itinerary, offering a comprehensive luxury rail experience across Italy.

Journeys aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express are fully inclusive. The fare covers private en-suite suite accommodation, all meals on board, selected Italian wines and beverages, guided off-train excursions, entrance fees and luggage handling. Certain premium wines, private experiences or pre- and post-journey arrangements may be quoted separately if requested.

Most departures begin and end in Rome, making the Italian capital the principal hub for La Dolce Vita Orient Express routes. Some itineraries operate one-way between cities such as Venice, Palermo, Taormina or Naples. We can arrange seamless transfers and tailored extensions to align with your wider Italy itinerary.

There are two main cabin categories: Deluxe Cabins and Suites. Deluxe Cabins (7 m² / 75 sq ft) offer an elegant, compact layout with a convertible sofa-bed and private en-suite bathroom. Suites (11 m² / 118 sq ft) provide additional space, lounge-style seating and flexible double or twin bedding. Both categories feature refined Italian mid-century design and private facilities.

Daytime attire is smart-casual and comfortable, particularly for excursions. In the evenings, many guests choose elegant attire for dinner and time in the bar car. While there is no strict formal dress code, the atmosphere reflects contemporary Italian sophistication rather than black-tie tradition.

We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for spring and autumn departures and for themed journeys such as wine, truffle or golf itineraries. Suite availability is limited and higher categories frequently sell out well in advance. We are able to check live availability and place short-term courtesy holds while arrangements are confirmed.

Yes. We specialise in incorporating La Dolce Vita Orient Express into wider tailor-made Italy journeys. This can include luxury hotels in Rome, Florence, Venice or Sicily, private guided touring, transfers and curated experiences before or after your rail journey.

Contact our specialist team to check availability, discuss preferred routes and receive a detailed personalised quotation. We will guide you through the booking process from initial enquiry to final documentation and departure preparation.

No. While both are luxury trains associated with the Orient Express brand, La Dolce Vita Orient Express is a modern Italy-based train focused exclusively on routes within Italy. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express operates historic international journeys across Europe using restored 1920s and 1930s carriages. La Dolce Vita offers a contemporary Italian design aesthetic and a more regional, immersive focus.

Most departures operate entirely within Italy, centred on Rome. However, selected extended routes include international segments, such as the Rome to Istanbul journey via Venice and Central Europe. Availability for these longer itineraries is limited and typically released well in advance.

Yes. The train is particularly popular for milestone celebrations, anniversaries and honeymoons. The intimate atmosphere, elegant dining experience and refined lounge spaces create a romantic setting, while themed departures such as wine, truffle and seasonal journeys add a distinctive celebratory element. We can also arrange private extensions and bespoke experiences to mark special occasions.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express is primarily designed for adult travellers seeking a refined and relaxed atmosphere. While children are not formally excluded, the experience is generally best suited to couples and adult guests. Families considering travel are encouraged to discuss suitability and cabin configurations with our specialist team prior to booking.

Why Book with The Luxury Train Travel Company

The Luxury Train Travel Company specialises exclusively in high-end rail journeys worldwide. Our team provides expert guidance, confirmed departure dates, suite advice and tailored pre- and post-train extensions across Italy. View all confirmed departures on our Luxury Train Calendar.

● Specialist luxury train expertise
● Access to confirmed departure dates and suite availability
● Priority cabin holds while you decide
● Tailor-made hotel, touring and transfer extensions
● Personal service from enquiry to departure

The luxury train travel company

Enquire About La Dolce Vita Orient Express


The Luxury Train Travel Company specialises exclusively in high-end rail journeys worldwide. Our team can advise on the most suitable La Dolce Vita Orient Express routes, check suite availability and place a cabin on hold while you consider your options.

Complete the enquiry form below or contact our team directly to begin planning your journey.

enquiry@theluxurytraintravelcompany.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 8191 0620