It seems like everyone's going to Italy right now.
So if you're going to join the crowds, you might as well show up in style.
By stepping off a new and very luxurious train that hearkens back to the golden age of rail travel.
Orient Express is launching La Dolce Vita, Italy's first luxury train and one that's inspired by the Italian glamour of the 1960s and '70s. Eight all-inclusive journeys depart from Rome and take passengers to sought-after destinations like Venice, Matera, Tuscany, Piedmont, Portofino, Abruzzo and Sicily, complete with five-star accommodations and gourmet food. Reservations are live now, and the train starts rolling in March.
On board, 12 carriages host a maximum of 62 passengers split between 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites and one extra-fancy La Dolce Vita Suite. The design aesthetic leans into the art of Italian living, merging mid-century Italian glamour with modern amenities, so you'll be comfortable throughout your journey.
As expected, meal times won't feature you eating a sad sandwich in an even sadder dining car. Food comes from three Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, who will create menus celebrating the culinary diversity of each region traversed during every trip. Wines are curated by Vinitaly and will showcase the country's viticulture across well-known labels and rare and undiscovered wineries.
As part of the experience, guests can embark on excursions along the way to partake in the surrounding lakes, forests, coasts and Alpine mountains, and to immerse themselves in cities that are international hubs of art and culture, like Venice and Rome.
The itineraries also offer access to once remote destinations, such as Matera in Basilicata, the third oldest city in the world, and Palena, a mountain village in Abruzzo with medieval architecture, scenic views and rich cultural heritage. One itinerary will involve your train being decoupled in Calabria, then floating across the water on the world’s first passenger rail ferry, to be reassembled in Sicily so you can continue on your journey.
So, that's not something you do every day.
