150 years ago, the first Orient Express transported passengers at the height of luxury across Europe. Now, the opulent experience has returned to Italy with a brand new train journey.
Intended to recreate the glamour of the 1960s, La Dolce Vita Orient Express’s website describes it as a chance to “embark on an unforgettable voyage through Italy.” Italian luxury brand Arsenale has created the train in partnership with Orient Express and features nine passenger carriages with lavish suites – the perfect way to watch the beautiful Italian countryside pass by. However, the experience will come at a cost – tickets will set you back a minimum of over £2,600.
While the train looks brand new, in fact the carriages are from the 1970s and have been completely rebuilt to create 31 cabins, lounge and dining cars and accommodation for its staff. There are 12 “Duluxe Cabins”, featuring carpeted floors and wood-beamed ceilings with a sofa that becomes a double bed.
There are also 18 “Suites”, each featuring a bedroom, sofa, table, two armchairs and private bathroom.
As if the train could not get any lavish, guests can also enjoy an exclusive Michelin three-star dining experience on board, in a sumptuous restaurant car, which has vanished from most modern trains. During their trip, passengers are treated to a homemade Italian breakfast inspired by the era of La Dolce Vita, with freshly squeezed fruit juices, Sicilian brioche and aromatic Italian coffee.
There is also a lounge bar, where you can immerse yourself in the local tradition of Aperitivo – which sees millions of Italians enjoy a glass of wine with a snack every day after work.
The itineraries currently available for La Dolce Vita Orient Express touch down at dreamy spots. For €3,060 (£2,630) per passenger, you could spend two days and one night exploring the vineyards of Tuscany. Or for €7,440 (£6,395) you could immerse yourself in the beauty of Portofino and Venice for three days and two nights.
Finally, for those wanting to sample the very best of Italian cuisine, you could hop aboard “The Truffle Route” for €8,320 per passenger and savour the flavour of truffles and fine wine from Rome to Monferrato over three days.
Unlike modern high-speed trains, the train never exceeds 75mph, which allows passengers to admire the landscapes rather than blast through them to reach their destination.
Despite a single-night itinerary costing over £2,600 per person, strong forward bookings suggest that there is a healthy demand for this five-star experience.
A second train is set to be finished later this year and is intended for a Rome to Istanbul service. Arsenale is also building a train for Saudi Arabia with plans for others in Egypt, UAE and Uzbekistan, according to The Telegraph.
