Header: Courtesy of Accor
At Roma Ostiense station, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the debut of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Italy’s first luxury train designed and built entirely in the country. The project’s goal is simple but powerful: to reinvent the very essence of travel in motion. The train wants to introduce a style of travelling not seen in many years, one that moves slowly and places attention on design, gastronomy, and landscape.
Its inaugural itinerary, “Tastes of Tuscan Vineyards”, was designed to woo passengers with its carefully coordinated elegance, be it in the train’s private quarters, the regional wine experiences, or the onboard cuisine curated by chef Heinz Beck.
The vision
The La Dolce Vita Orient Express is the result of a partnership between Arsenale and Orient Express, with Fondazione FS Italiane and FS Treni Turistici Italiani support. The partners wished to unite Italy’s manufacturing, cultural heritage, and tourism sectors in a single, mobile format. However, everyone thought the result was better than anyone had imagined.
Dreamy itineraries
The train is set to operate across 14 Italian regions with eight itineraries, each one designed to bring together different aspects of the country’s geography, traditions, and culinary identity. The routes are planned to slowly present the beautiful country to the passengers, who can expect stops in locations ranging from Venice to Portofino, Siena to Matera, and Montalcino to Nizza Monferrato, as well as a broader route through Sicily that includes Catania, Palermo, and Taormina. Each of these itineraries leads to unique experiences where local engagement, whether through landscapes, regional cuisine, or historic sites, is profusely encouraged.
Luxurious travel
The train has 31 cabins, divided into 18 suites, 12 deluxe cabins, and a single La Dolce Vita Suite. All the carriages were originally Z1 Italian model cars, which were restructured in a major renovation effort in the south of Italy. This renovation is part of a larger project consisting of six custom-built trains, establishing a new privately operated luxury rail fleet in Italy.
The interiors were designed by Dimorestudio, based in Milan, and follow mid-century Italian aesthetics. The cabins and communal areas feature elements reminiscent of Gio Ponti, Gae Aulenti, and Osvaldo Borsani, with geometric detailing, rich materials, and a palette that draws directly from the 1960s and 1970s. While the style is quite retro, there’s something magical in it, as passengers feel like they’re stopped in time while travelling through Italy surrounded by bold decor elements and all the comforts in the world.
Before boarding, passengers must pass through the La Dolce Vita Lounge at Ostiense Station, a space designed by architect Hugo Toro where materials and colours (such as a lacquered tangerine ceiling) set the tone for the journey.
As Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale, explained, “With La Dolce Vita Orient Express, we are introducing a new model to the global tourism landscape, leading an emerging trend: rail cruises, which are becoming increasingly relevant worldwide.” Barletta emphasised the project’s role in supporting Italian manufacturing and rail industry production, as well as expanding tourism beyond traditional peak seasons and major destinations. Gilda Perez Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express, described the train as “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.”
