In the heart of Rome's Ostiense Station, beneath a lacquered tangerine ceiling, a new chapter in luxury rail travel unfolds. The La Dolce Vita Orient Express, a revival of the legendary Orient Express, offers more than just a journey—it provides an immersive experience where art, design, and culture converge.
Launched in April 2025, the La Dolce Vita Orient Express is the result of a collaboration between the French hospitality brand Accor and the Italian travel company Arsenale Group. This luxurious train aims to revive the glamour of 1960s and 1970s Italy, offering travelers a chance to experience the "sweet life" while traversing the picturesque landscapes of the country. The train comprises six carriages, each accommodating 62 guests, and offers one- to three-night journeys to destinations such as Venice and Portofino. The interiors, designed by Milan-based Dimorestudio, pay homage to mid-century Italian design, featuring rich jewel tones, velvet upholstery, and meticulous attention to detail. Every element, from the polished brass fixtures to the hand-crafted Alcantara panels, reflects a commitment to timeless elegance and Italian craftsmanship.
Upon entering the Orient Express Lounge at Rome's Ostiense Station, passengers are greeted with a sense of anticipation and luxury. The space, designed by architect Hugo Toro, blends contemporary aesthetics with 1960s Italian glamour. Mandarin lacquered ceilings, art deco details, and neon lights inspired by vintage train interiors turn every moment of waiting into an experience of pure Italian style. As passengers board the train, they are enveloped in an atmosphere of refined elegance. The interiors, curated by Dimorestudio, feature deep jewel tones, plush velvet seating, and ambient lighting that evoke the glamour of a bygone era. Each carriage is a testament to Italian design, with every detail thoughtfully considered to enhance the travel experience.
Dining aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express is an experience in itself. The train's restaurant car offers a menu curated by Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, featuring dishes inspired by the regions the train traverses. Each meal is a celebration of Italian cuisine, prepared with the finest ingredients and presented with artistic flair. The wine list boasts selections from Italy's renowned vineyards, allowing passengers to indulge in the country's rich oenological heritage. The dining experience is not just about the food; it is about the ambiance. The restaurant car's design, with its elegant furnishings and soft lighting, creates an intimate setting where guests can savor their meals while enjoying the passing scenery. The attentive service ensures that every detail is taken care of, allowing passengers to relax and immerse themselves fully in the experience.
The La Dolce Vita Orient Express is more than just a mode of transportation; it is a gateway to Italy's rich cultural heritage. Each journey is designed to offer passengers a deeper understanding of the regions they visit. Excursions to local landmarks, private tours of historic sites, and opportunities to engage with artisans and local communities enrich the travel experience. The train's itineraries are thoughtfully curated to showcase Italy's diverse landscapes and cultural treasures. From the canals of Venice to the coastal beauty of Portofino, each destination offers unique experiences that connect travelers with the essence of Italy.
Traveling aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express is a journey into Italy's soul. It is an opportunity to slow down, appreciate the finer details, and immerse oneself in the beauty and culture of the country. The train's design, cuisine, and curated experiences come together to create a harmonious blend of luxury and authenticity. In a world that often prioritizes speed and efficiency, the La Dolce Vita Orient Express offers a refreshing alternative—a chance to savor the journey, indulge in elegance, and experience Italy in its most refined form.
The train's carriages are thoughtfully designed to combine comfort and style seamlessly. Each cabin features undulating wood paneling, mood lighting, and a carefully considered vanity, creating a space that could serve as a case study for design schools. Every travel necessity, from the hairdryer to luggage storage, has its dedicated space, demonstrating that functionality can be an integral part of the aesthetic. Passengers are encouraged to engage with their surroundings, whether by exchanging stories over breakfast, singing along to Italian classics in the bar carriage, or simply enjoying the ever-changing vistas of the countryside, from Veneto's lush greenery to the Mediterranean's sparkling blue waters.
Details matter aboard the train. The sparkle of cutlery in the restaurant car, the way lamps catch the last rays of the evening sun, the tactile pleasure of velvet upholstery, and the carefully curated patterns in public spaces all combine to create an experience that is visually, emotionally, and sensorially compelling. The designers describe the train as a stage, where each passenger becomes part of a living story, moving through spaces that evoke narrative, elegance, and intimacy.
Art and decoration play a role as significant as the destinations themselves. The interplay of geometric shapes, warm colors, and refined materials reflects a design philosophy that values emotional resonance as much as visual appeal. Public spaces encourage connection between travelers, yet also allow moments of private reflection, offering a rare balance of sociability and solitude. Dimorestudio’s design celebrates the interplay between the train and the landscape, ensuring that the window views—from Venice’s canals to the Ligurian coast—become part of the aesthetic experience.
The culinary journey is intertwined with the cultural and visual immersion, creating an integrated experience. Passengers may savor traditional Venetian seafood dishes one evening, paired with local wines, and the next day enjoy a private tasting of Ligurian olive oils in a sun-drenched terrace in Portofino. Each itinerary is designed to honor the heritage and diversity of Italy, allowing travelers to engage with authentic experiences that go beyond sightseeing. It is not merely a train journey; it is a continuous narrative of design, taste, and cultural discovery.
The train also offers unique opportunities for personal storytelling. Each moment aboard can be recorded, photographed, and remembered, forming a personal travel diary that intertwines with the broader story of the Orient Express revival. Travelers become part of a living tableau, where their interactions with staff, fellow passengers, and the environment contribute to the collective memory of the journey. This emphasis on narrative makes the La Dolce Vita Orient Express more than transportation; it is an immersive theatrical experience where passengers are both audience and participant.
In essence, the La Dolce Vita Orient Express is a journey that transcends the traditional notion of travel. It encourages mindfulness, attentiveness, and appreciation for beauty in all its forms—design, cuisine, landscape, and human connection. Each element is meticulously curated to enhance emotional impact, whether through the tactile pleasure of luxury furnishings, the visual delight of harmonious color palettes, or the quiet moments of reflection inspired by passing scenery.
The train offers a rare chance to experience Italy slowly and intentionally. Unlike conventional travel, which often prioritizes destinations over process, this journey emphasizes the voyage itself. Each meal, each cabin, each corridor is part of the narrative, inviting passengers to immerse themselves in an orchestrated experience where elegance, comfort, and culture coexist. The Orient Express becomes a moving art piece, an anthology of Italian lifestyle where travelers witness the seamless blending of tradition and modernity.
Ultimately, the La Dolce Vita Orient Express is more than a revival of a legendary train—it is a holistic experience celebrating Italy’s design legacy, culinary excellence, and cultural richness. It represents an opportunity to reconnect with the joy of travel, to slow down and savor every detail, and to immerse oneself in a world where elegance, authenticity, and sensory pleasure are inseparable. For connoisseurs of design, food, and culture, it offers an unforgettable journey that lingers in memory long after the train reaches its final station.
Traveling aboard this train is a celebration of Italy’s timeless beauty and craftsmanship. It invites passengers to experience the country in a way that is both luxurious and deeply human, balancing refined aesthetics with authentic encounters. Every carriage, every dish, every moment is carefully orchestrated to tell a story—one of art, heritage, and the pleasure of a journey taken with intention and delight. The La Dolce Vita Orient Express reminds us that travel is not merely a way to reach a destination, but an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the art of living beautifully.