glamour, luxury, murder - the history of the orient express is steeped in fable and intrigue. running from paris to istanbul, the famed sleeper train was pioneering not just for the way it revolutionised cross-country travel in the 19th century, but for its literary legacy in everything from bram stroker’s dracula to agatha christie.

45 years after the original orient express was halted, the historic train is returning in 2023 with an all new twist. newly dubbed the orient express la dolce vita, the route will take travellers across 14 italian regions and to 3 international destinations, including croatia, istanbul, and paris. partnering with the hotel group accor for the resurrected line is the italian real estate agent arsenale, and as the name suggests la dolce vita “aims to embody the essence of italian joie de vivre”.

the 6 new trains have been designed by architecture firm dimore studio, featuring retro detailing with a sumptuous twist. its architects explain that “the design project of Orient Express La Dolce Vita was conceived to embody a flawless and understated balance between historical and contemporary, without losing its authenticity”. as with the old orient express, service on board the train is the height of luxury, with 5-star fine dining, an entertainment centre and bar, and trained staff there to offer custom itineraries and ‘ad hoc’ experiences.

the new itinerary has a strong focus on italy and its lesser known regions whilst still stopping in big cities like milan, rome, and florence. travellers will start in the north, stopping to truffle hunt or spend the day skiing, before passing through rome on their way to the south, where the bulk of the trip takes place. winding along the infamous coast of sicily, the train will journey up to campania to stop in naples, pompei, and paestum.

the development heralds a new era in luxury travel where conscious travellers are choosing to eschew costly airline miles for slower forms of movement like rail. the relaunched train is being designed with a strong commitment to sustainability, relying on green technologies like hydrogen power and showcasing local products and authentic experiences.

reservations for the new route will open in june 2022.

https://www.orient-express.com/high-life/a-grand-return-to-italy-with-la-dolce-vita-train/