When you think of train rides shrouded in history, it’s likely your mind turns first to The Orient Express. Dating all the way back to 1883, the long-distance service whisked passengers across Europe and you might have the chance to live “La Dolce Vita” soon on the freshest version of the service.
A brand new guise of the continental European service is due to leave the station in in 2023, with six new trains journeying through 14 Italian regions as well as three international routes across 10,000 miles of tracks.
The brand new “Orient Express La Dolce Vita” will leave from Rome and, on top of the Italian sites, will whizz through Paris, Istanbul and Split, Croatia
Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale, who are behind the newest venture, said: “We are bringing back a luxury icon, but giving it an all-Italian twist.
“The Orient Express La Dolce Vita is going to offer a window into some of the lesser known parts of our country, while still stopping in Rome, Florence, and Milan, and providing that high level of service it’s always been known for.
“The idea is to give passengers the chance to get off the train and explore beyond Italy’s most obvious destinations—a ‘dolce vita’ experience at 360 degrees.”
For passengers arriving in Rome, there will also be the chance to stay in an Orient Express themed hotel. The Minerva, which is due to open in 2024, will pay tribute to the historic train journeys and is said to be the first of a series of hotels.
“Think of it as an update on the Orient Express [legend],” Barletta added. “The rail line redefined luxury travel, and came to represent so much more than just a train. With this new project, we want to write its next chapter.”
As for the trains themselves, it’s safe to say they’ll pull up to the station promising a life of luxury. Each of the six models boast 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites, and a restaurant with local and international chefs and sommeliers, with a focus on Italian produce. And of course, the dining pledges to deliver five-star dining in the style of the original Orient Express. It’s also expected that the trains will offer a lounge bar and much more information, but this is yet to be confirmed.
Passengers will be able to reserve trips between one and three days, with seats going on sale in June 2022. The Orient Express’s original iteration may have discontinued 45 years ago, but the newest form is bound to tempt many a keen traveller.