Italy has unveiled its first luxury train, La Dolce Vita Orient Express, complete with vintage styling and menus by three-Michelin-starred chef, Heinz Beck. Olivia Palamountain reports

La Dolce Vita Orient Express, has made its debut at Rome's Ostiense Station, ahead of its inaugural journey on April 4, 2025.

The first trip, titled "Tastes of Tuscan Vineyards," takes guests to Montalcino, marking the beginning of what operators describe as "a new era in Italian tourism" focused on showcasing the country's cultural, scenic and gastronomic heritage.

The La Dolce Vita Orient Express represents the first in what will ultimately be a fleet of six luxury trains, establishing Italy's first private luxury rail service. The project emphasises slow travel, allowing passengers to connect deeply with local traditions, flavours and landscapes while exploring Italy's most iconic destinations.  The service will offer eight exclusive itineraries across 14 Italian regions. Routes include journeys from Venice to Portofino, through Siena and Matera, and across Sicily with stops in Catania, Palermo and Taormina.

The train features 31 cabins, comprising 18 suites, 12 deluxe cabins and a signature La Dolce Vita Suite. Originally Z1 Italian model carriages, they have undergone extensive restoration with work carried out in Brindisi and Palermo, drawing on Southern Italy's technical and artisanal expertise in railway craftsmanship.Milan-based Dimorestudio designed the interiors, which pay homage to the golden age of Italian design with references to renowned figures such as Gio Ponti, Gae Aulenti and Osvaldo Borsani. The aesthetic captures the glamour of 1960s Italy, the era of "La Dolce Vita".

The passenger experience begins at the Orient Express Lounge, designed by artist-architect Hugo Toro, where travellers are welcomed with aperitivo under a lacquered tangerine ceiling before boarding. Once on the train, guests will enjoy menus created by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, with dishes inspired by the regions being traversed.
Gilda Perez Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express, describes the launch as "the beginning of a new chapter in Italian train journeys," made possible through the partnership with Arsenale Group. "This unique experience is an invitation to rediscover Italy through a new lens - where the glamour of 1960s and 1970s Italy meets the country's rich hospitality and warm conviviality," she says.