(DailyExpertNews) — The launch of the new Orient Express La Dolce Vita may be a bit late, but it looks like the long-awaited service will be well worth the wait.
Renders of the 11-car train, which pays tribute to the “La Dolce Vita” period of the 1960s, have been unveiled, revealing a luxurious interior that resembles a boutique hotel more than a train car.
Orient Express La Dolce Vita will consist of six trains, each with 12 “deluxe cabins”, 18 suites, an “Eer Suite” and a restaurant carriage that will provide a “five-star dining experience” including “award-winning Italian wines and exclusive haute cuisine.”
Each of the trains will run through 14 regions and 131 cities in Italy, as well as from Rome to Paris, Istanbul and the Croatian port of Split, traveling from one to three nights, when it starts welcoming passengers in 2023.
Five star service
A rendering of the new Orient Express La Dolce Vita, which will debut in 2023.
Courtesy of Orient Express La Dolce Vita/Accor/Dimorestudio
The routes will cover approximately 16,000 kilometers of rail line from north to south, including a journey from Venice to Trieste, along the Dalmatian coast to Split, along with rides through the hills of Tuscany and around Sicily.
Those making a stopover in Rome will be able to spend the night at the very first Orient Express Hotel, Minerva, housed in a 17th-century Baroque palace in Piazza di Minerva, once it opens its doors in 2024.
“Train travel represents the greener choice of transportation, enhancing travel to large cities and small to medium-sized locations with attractive cultural sites and landscapes,” said Luigi Corradi, CEO and General Manager of Trenitalia.
New vision
The train, which will make its debut in 2023, harks back to the “La Dolce Vita” period of the 1960s.
Courtesy of Orient Express La Dolce Vita/Accor/Dimorestudio
“La Dolce Vita train will accelerate luxury rail tourism and will appeal to many passengers as a safe and eco-sustainable mode of travel that protects the environment and allows them to rediscover the most fascinating places in our regions.”
Designed by architecture and design studio Dimorestudio, the train’s decor skilfully blends the golden age of Italian design with a more modern feel. There are colorful carpets, large windows and contemporary artwork.
Rome’s Termini station will serve as the hub for each of the routes, offering a dedicated Orient Express executive lounge where guests “will enjoy a warm welcome and refreshments as they await their journey”.
“These trains offer a new vision of luxury travel beyond our imaginations,” said Sebastien Bazin, Accor’s chairman and CEO.
Moving forward
The luxury service will travel to 14 regions and 131 cities in Italy.
Courtesy of Orient Express La Dolce Vita/Accor/Dimorestudio
“Our partnership with Arsenale Group has opened up new horizons in perfect harmony with the heritage and philosophy of Orient Express, and marks our constant desire to keep moving forward.
Unsurprisingly, staying on the Orient Express La Dolce Vita comes with a hefty price tag, with trips averaging around €2,000 (about $2,255) per person per night.
Chef Carlo Cracco was on hand to provide the onboard guests with a taste of what the guests will experience during the upcoming shift.
The luxury train has been operating since 1982 and runs through Europe from March to November and Istanbul once a year.
Julia Buckley of DailyExpertNews contributed to this report.
