An incredible new train journey launching later this month takes travellers through some of Italy’s most celebrated towns and cities. The Orient Express is a private luxury train service operated by Accor that allows passengers to step back in time to the golden age of rail travel, going on tours through sought-after destinations.
The company launched its first La Dolce Vita Orient Express routes in April, 2025, with services that capture the “timeless allure of Italian glamour and design, as it journeys through many bespoke itineraries across Italy’s most enchanting landscapes”. “The sophisticated aesthetic of La Dolce Vita Orient Express pays homage to the iconic Italian design legends of the 1960s, blending elegance with contemporary luxury,” it adds.
You can also enjoy a high-end food offering curated by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck.
Its latest addition is the The Grand Tour, a five-day circular route that takes travellers from Rome to the iconic canals of Venice, the awe-inspiring ancient cave dwellings of Matera.
After that a ferry transports the train to Taormina on Sicily’s east coast, then on to Sicily’s capital Palermo before returning to Rome.
Passengers can expect “a curated blend of culture, cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes – a celebration of Italy’s most iconic destinations”.
There are a few hours between the departures from each stop, giving plenty of time to explore before the next leg of the journey begins.
The inaugural service will take place on May 21. Tickets don’t come cheap, starting from €15,760 (around £13,593) per passenger.
Accor is also launching a rival of the original Orient Express, with a route between Paris and Istanbul, beginning next year.
The Orient Express will feature refurbished carriages from the now defunct Nostalgie Istanbul Orient Express, dating back to 1920s and 1930s.
