La Dolce Vita Orient Express Introduces New Istanbul-to-Rome Rail Journey
The five-day itinerary pairs iconic European cities with curated cultural experiences, Michelin-starred dining, and contemporary Italian design.
Photo: Mr. Tripper
La Dolce Vita Orient Express is expanding its collection of luxury rail itineraries with a new five-day, four-night journey linking Istanbul and Rome, offering travelers a contemporary take on one of Europe’s most iconic historic routes.
The new itinerary, announced this week, will carry guests across southeastern and central Europe with stops in Plovdiv and Sofia, Bulgaria; Timișoara, Romania; Vienna; and Venice before arriving in Rome. Designed around the principles of slow travel, the journey emphasizes immersive cultural experiences alongside the onboard luxury that has become a hallmark of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express brand.
Rather than treating the train simply as transportation, the experience is built around the journey itself. Guests will have opportunities to explore UNESCO-listed historic districts, meet local artisans, discover regional architecture and sample local cuisine during curated excursions in each destination. On board, the train’s 31 accommodations—including 18 suites, 12 deluxe cabins and the signature La Dolce Vita Suite—feature interiors by Milan-based Dimorestudio, inspired by the glamour of 1960s Italy. Dining is overseen by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, whose menus highlight regional Italian ingredients and traditions while reflecting the destinations visited along the route.
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“Connecting the historic crossroads of Istanbul with the Eternal City, the itinerary invites guests to experience travel as a destination in itself, where time is measured not by arrival, but by the richness of the journey,” the company said in announcing the new itinerary.
The Istanbul-to-Rome journey also broadens the brand’s portfolio beyond its original Italy-focused routes. La Dolce Vita Orient Express currently operates eight itineraries across 14 Italian regions, celebrating the country’s culinary, cultural and scenic heritage. The new cross-border itinerary introduces a broader European perspective while maintaining the distinctly Italian hospitality, design and culinary focus that defines the experience.
Following the opening of Orient Express La Minerva in Rome in 2025 and Orient Express Venezia earlier this year, the company has also just debuted its sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian.
