The La Dolce Vita Orient Express is set to depart on 22 October 2026, following in the footsteps of the legendary ‘Orient Express’ from Rome to Istanbul. The five-day cruise has compartments and suites that are inspired by 1960s Italy, a lounge at Rome station designed by architect Ugo Toro, and dinners by chef Heinz Beck (three Michelin stars). The journey includes stops and exclusive excursions in Venice, Budapest, and the Romanian cities of Brașov and Sinaia. The final destination will be Istanbul. Tickets for this luxurious journey start at €20,000 per person.
More than 140 years after the legendary Orient Express became a symbol of luxury and adventure in old Europe, a new route from Rome to Istanbul is set to launch in 2026, according to Euronews.
Passengers can look forward to five days and four nights of champagne, fine dining and breathtaking European scenery, with a touch of Italian flair.
The La Dolce Vita Orient Express is set to depart on 22 October, marking a new take on the classic route. The inspiration behind this modern reinterpretation is a blend of the timeless elegance of the original Orient Express and the ‘sweet life’ style that Italy is renowned for.
Guests will begin their luxurious journey in the Orient Express Lounge at Rome’s Ostiense station, which was designed by architect Ugo Toro. Passengers will get glasses of sparkling wine, snacks and live Italian music, the organisers say.
In the evening, travellers will board the train and find compartments and suites inspired by 1960s Italy and designed by the Milan-based studio Dimorestudio. The dining car will be serving dishes by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck.
After a night’s sleep in a spacious compartment (around 7 square metres) or a more luxurious suite (almost 11 square metres), you’ll wake up in Venice.
There, guests can walk through the narrow streets of the ‘floating city’ or choose from specially curated excursions – such as a boat trip on the lagoon or a tour of Venice ‘through the eyes of Casanova’.
Next stop is Budapest, or the ‘Pearl of the Danube’ as it’s also known. Passengers can discover the city’s rich history and architecture, as well as enjoy a leisurely lunch in Buda or Pest – the two parts of the Hungarian capital separated by the river.
The next day, the train will cross the Carpathian Mountains and stop at two Romanian gems – the medieval town of Brașov and the mountain town of Sinaia.
In the evening, guests will get aperitifs, dinner and a musical programme on board, and then they’ll spend their last night on the train.
The next day, the Orient Express will arrive in Istanbul, the final stop on this historic route.
When you get off, you can head out to explore the city’s domes, bazaars and colourful streets, or if you want, you can keep going further east.
But not everyone can do it. Ticket prices start at €20,000 per person, so most people will have to save up a bit.