The La Dolce Vita Orient Express is all about bringing back the romance of rail travel – with a distinctly Italian twist. Think 1960s glamour meets modern luxury, and gliding through some of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes in style. As I was to find, it’s an experience filled with fine dining, curated excursions, and interiors that celebrate the golden age of Italian design. Whether it’s sipping cocktails in the bar car or waking up to views of the Tuscan countryside, every moment truly does feel special. Below, I recall my short journey – beginning and ending in Rome – with a visit to Tuscany, as well as my experience on board this new luxury train.
Most people opting to experience La Dolce Vita Orient Express opt for a pre-train night in Rome, allowing for a more comfortable and stress-free start to the journey the following day. So, day two began with an early morning private transfer, taking me through the quiet streets of Rome, passing some of the city’s historic landmarks as we skirted the Monumento a Vittorio, Circus Maximus and the Colosseum before heading through the Roman suburbs to Rome Ostiense Station. Like many major stations in Italy, Ostiense features distinctive Rationalist architecture from the 1930s, now seamlessly blending with the luxurious La Dolce Vita Orient Express lounge.
Panorama of Rome
Piazza Navona
Guests are advised to arrive at least an hour before the train departure. This allows time for luggage check-in and a chance to settle in with breakfast nibbles, cocktails, or hot drinks. A three-piece band plays a lively repertoire as guests arrive at staggered intervals, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel. During your time in the lounge, the service is exceptional – key train managers personally review your itinerary, cabin allocation, and off-train experiences. About twenty minutes before departure, you’re escorted to the train and greeted on the platform by your uniformed steward, who assists with boarding, acts as photographer, and shows you to your cabin.
Ostiense lounge
La Dolce Vita Orient Express
The first impression of the cabin? This isn’t the 1920s grandeur of other famous trains. Instead, it’s a sleek, modern space with a hint of 1960s Italian style. Technology is impressive, with dimmer switches, multiple connection points for devices, and thoughtful touches like fine art, warm tones, luxury linens, fresh flowers, and a chilled bottle of champagne. Carriages are divided by modern push-button electric doors, keeping noise to a minimum, and the ride is exceptionally smooth thanks to the modern rolling stock. Corridors are lined with classic black-and-white Italian film photos from the 1960s, adding to the nostalgic charm.
Just a short walk away are the bar and dining cars, impeccably styled in a relaxed 1960s aesthetic – light colours, large picture windows, ongoing piano music, and spaces to mingle or enjoy an intimate drink for two.
Lounge
Suite on La Dolce Vita Orient Express
Soon after departing, the lunch call is made by the train manager, and the first onboard meal – a true Tuscan feast – is served. Over two hours, five courses are presented, accompanied by chef-recommended wines. Dishes range from tuna and cuttlefish starters to Italian classics like lasagna, steak, and tiramisu.
Then, once the train travelled north along the Tuscan coast to Grosseto, we disembarked for an afternoon excursion into the Montalcino region for a wine tasting. Other options are available, and if you prefer, you can explore the town where the train stops. Our experience took us to Antinori’s Montalcino wine cellars, home to the acclaimed Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino wines. A private tour of the production plant and oak cask storage rooms was followed by a tasting at the family homestead – a memorable experience.
Re-boarding at 7pm, there was plenty of time to dress for the evening and enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail in the bar car before we were called for our dining sitting. Dinner is generally lighter than lunch, and in this case it featured a tasting menu including the likes of mushroom tartlets, shellfish, pasta, and lamb, all infused with Tuscan flavours and paired with exceptional wines.
Dining car
Antinori winery farmstead private tasting
The night continued in the bar car, where entertainment and music flowed into the early hours, accompanied by cocktails or something stronger. Eventually, it was back to the cabin to relax and watch the Tuscan night roll by. The next morning brought a pre-arranged breakfast, served either in your cabin or in the dining car at your chosen time. Opting for the cabin option, I enjoyed eggs Benedict, fresh fruit salad, avocado, pastries, juice, and a hot drink – a rare luxury on many train journeys.
After breakfast, there was enough time to unwind in the lounge or the cabin before La Dolce Vita returned to Rome Ostiense Station. Arrival was an elegant affair, with the train crew lined up in uniform for photo opportunities, followed by one last cocktail in the station lounge before luggage and transfers were arranged.
Bar & lounge
Breakfast in the cabin