A brand new ‘spellbinding roundtrip route’ that takes passengers from Rome through the best of Italy will soon launch.
In a reimagined version of the British Grand Tour, La Dolce Vita Orient Express has curated a five-day voyage.
The Grand Tour travels from Rome to the romantic canals of Venice, Matera, Taormina and Palermo before returning to the capital.
The Orient Express only debuted in April last year and is the pinnacle of 1960s Italian glamour.
Guests are treated with luxurious décor whilst exploring Italian culture, design and regional identity along the way.
The first departure sets off on May 21, 2026 and prices start from €15,760 (£13,658) per passenger.
From Ostiense Station in Rome, the train leaves at 10.30am and guests can indulge in lunch on board as they soak in views of the Italian countryside.
By the evening, the train stops in Venice and passengers can spend some time taking in the charming canals and winding streets before returning to their carriage for the night.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express has a new five-day voyage across Italy, called The Grand Tour
In the morning, those on board wake up to stunning views of the Adriatic coast and can hop off in Bari to spend time in Matera.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Matera is one of the oldest cities in the world and boasts impressive cave churches as well as underground water cisterns.
At mid-afternoon of day three, the train pulls into Taormina an historic hilltop town in Sicily.
The train then trundles along towards Palermo where passengers wake up on day four to enjoy busy markets and characterful streets.
Riders are given time to enjoy the beautiful location before boarding for the final leg of the journey – back to Rome in time for 10.30am on the very last day.
Aside from the beautiful sites and iconic destinations, the onboard experience is immaculate too.
Passengers are treated to dining led by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, with menus evolving alongside the regions the train passes through.
The Orient Express’s website describes The Grand Tour as ‘a rare way to experience Italy, unhurried, immersive, and thoughtfully designed’.
On board, guests are treated with luxurious décor curated with 1960s Italian glamour in mind
Passengers are treated to dining led by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, with menus evolving alongside the regions the train passes through
The La Dolce Vita Orient Express is the first Italian-made luxury train and can accommodate 62 passengers.
The interiors are designed by Milan’s Dimorestudio and pay homage to Italy in the 1950s and 1960s, the time of actors such as Sophia Loren.
You can certainly see the glitz and glamour in the cabin and train design too, with a nod to the art deco period and a definite air of luxury.
When the train first launched, Gilda Perez Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express, said: ‘The launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express marks the beginning of a new chapter in Italian train journeys, made possible through our partnership with Arsenale Group.
‘This unique experience is an invitation to rediscover Italy through a new lens – where the glamour of 1960s and 1970s Italy meets the country’s rich hospitality and warm conviviality.’
Gilda went on to say: ‘The guest journey begins at the La Dolce Vita Lounge at Ostiense Station, a historic space crafted by artist-architect Hugo Toro, setting the stage for an exceptional Italian adventure.
‘From the moment the journey begins at the La Dolce Vita Lounge – guests are brought into a new travel experience that celebrates Italy’s landscapes, flavours, and culture – signed by Orient Express.’
Roma Ostiense Station, where trains depart from, has a lounge that has been designed to fit in line with the trains themselves and their luxury.
The train offers other routes too, and prices certainly match the luxurious ambience.
The Tastes of Tuscan Vineyards trip starts at €3,500 (£3,084) per person for one night and two days on board – as close as it gets to a budget option.
Meanwhile, golf-themed trips are from €12,360 (£10,900), for four days of travel and fine dining.
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