From the historic ruins of Rome to the breathtaking canals of Venice, Italy always has a way of demanding your full attention, and La Dolce Vita Orient Express is a 5-star love letter to this landscape. Capturing the spirit of the glamorous 1960s, this luxury rail experience is uniquely conceived and lovingly crafted by Italian artisans to celebrate Italy’s Golden Ages.
For many, La Dolce Vita Orient Express is also an invitation to reimagine their journey through Italy, trading the frantic pace of modern travel for a seat in a moving masterpiece that blends the country’s rich heritage with the elegance of contemporary luxury.
The journey before your journey on La Dolce Vita Orient Express
But what sets your escape on La Dolce Vita Orient Express apart is how the experience unfolds long before the hum of the tracks takes over. Instead, guests travelling from Rome are welcome to visit the dedicated Orient Express Lounge at the Roma Ostiense station. Serving as a gateway to Italy’s finest, the period motifs envisioned by artist-architect Hugo Toro take the stage within the lounge, offering a calming buffer from the bustling streets of Rome.
From here on, the warm hospitality of the Orient Express guides takes over, removing the weight of luggage worries and check-in logistics from your shoulders. As they finalise your cabin assignments and travel preferences, the in-house Italian café invites you to sip on a perfectly pulled espresso or a crisp aperitivo. A quiet prelude for the journey ahead, it’s these little details that help transition you into a graceful state of mind long before you ever set foot on the platform.
Welcome to your front-row seat to Italy
As the train pulls into the platform, the mounting sense of anticipation in the air is quickly replaced by the excitement waiting to unfold. Stepping aboard the historic Z1 carriages often feels like you’re walking into a cinematic dream of 1960s Italy, though the past formalities of the space are now replaced by a younger and more relaxed elegance.
Milan’s Dimorestudio by award-winning designers Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran is the brainchild behind the reimagined carriages of La Dolce Vita Orient Express, adding details such as lacquered ceilings and brass accents to the train for that mid-century glamour touch.
Behind the doors to your deluxe or suite cabins, the bespoke work of the craftsmen from Brindisi and Palermo comes alive. Offering a sense of a secluded sanctuary, the rooms are designed to evoke the taste of high-fashion Roman apartments, where cool colours and wooden accents make for that home-like home. If you’d prefer to watch the world roll past you in private, the plush sofa within this intimate space makes the perfect spot to unwind as your personal Suite Conductor brings along your afternoon tea.
As day turns to night, the Great Transformation by the onboard staff turns these seats into a comfortable bed for a night of restful sleep, allowing you to recharge and rejuvenate as the train continues on its journey through Italy. No detail is left to spare, as the intuitive concierge is always here to manage every request with effortless grace.
For those looking to spend more time in La Dolce Vita Orient Express’ communal spaces, the Dining Car and Bar Car are welcoming spots with open doors that are ready to be explored. Known as the pulse of the train, it’s here that the quintessential Italian ritual of the aperitivo takes centre stage, set to the soft melodies of a live pianist.
The onboard menu from the Dining Car is shaped by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, turning meal times into a grand tour of its own. So, whether you’re tucking into a Sicilian-inspired breakfast featuring warm brioches and aromatic espressos or sampling an unforgettable dinner that’s paired with the country’s finest vintages, there’s always something surprising that awaits as the journey through Italy changes outside the window.
At the end of the day, embarking on La Dolce Vita Orient Express is more than just taking a luxury rail trip. Instead, it’s an invitation to become part of the landscape rather than to rush through the sights, one cinematic mile at a time. Want to explore Italy through the windows of a rail adventure?