Imagine stepping into a time machine that whisks you away to the glamorous 1950s and ‘60s, but instead of landing in a Fellini film, you’re gliding through the Italian countryside aboard a luxury train. This is the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Italy’s newest—and most extravagant—way to travel. Unveiled earlier this year, this isn’t your average train ride; it’s a 24-hour journey into opulence, nostalgia, and culinary perfection. But here’s where it gets controversial: with prices starting at over $4,000 per person, is this a celebration of Italian heritage or an exclusive playground for the elite? Let’s dive in.
Our adventure begins at Rome’s Ostiense station, where a lavish lounge designed by French architect Hugo Toro sets the tone. Think 20th-century mosaics underfoot, live jazz filling the air, and servers offering refreshments before you even board. Your luggage? Whisked away to your cabin as if by magic. It’s a world apart from the chaos of rush-hour Rome—a sanctuary of calm and luxury.
On platform No. 8, the train awaits. Its vintage Z1 carriages, originally from the ‘70s and ‘80s, have been transformed into retro-chic masterpieces by Milan’s Dimorestudio. Inside, you’ll find 30 cabins: 18 suites and 12 deluxe rooms, each with its own bathroom. My suite, a cozy 118 square feet, somehow fits a double bed, sofa, table, two armchairs, and a bathroom equipped with a Dyson hairdryer. The deluxe cabins are slightly smaller but ingeniously designed, with sofabeds and stools that double as coffee tables. And this is the part most people miss: your conductor, Raffaela Mattioli, is just a text message away, offering concierge service on rails.
Lunch is a Michelin-starred affair, curated by German culinary genius Heinz Beck and executed by his collaborator Walter Canzio. Imagine a tuna carpaccio version of pappa al pomodoro or amberjack with zucchini, almonds, and saffron—all while the Tuscan countryside whizzes by. It’s Italy on a plate, but with a twist. Canzio admits, ‘Performing culinary magic in a tiny space is challenging and thrilling at the same time.’
But is this just a train? Paolo Barletta, CEO of Italy’s Arsenale Group, insists it’s a ‘360-degree experience of Italy.’ And yet, the train runs on regular Italian tracks, meaning occasional pauses for engine swaps or delays. Is this a flaw or part of the ‘authentic’ experience? You decide.
After lunch, the Lounge Bar beckons, where staff—who live on the train for the full 24 hours—ensure every detail is perfect. Train Manager Dora Domby explains the choreography required to create a luxury hotel experience on wheels. It’s like a summer camp for adults, but with better tailoring and more champagne.
As night falls, dinner calls for elegance. Even the staff swap their uniforms for evening attire. Christine Arrowsmith, an English guest, raves, ‘There’s something about Italian design—that certain little extra.’ The train’s social spaces—lounge, dining car, restaurant—encourage mingling, making it feel more like a moving party than a hotel.
Sleeping is comfortable, though the stop-start rhythm of the train is a reminder that even glamour relies on brute force. The temperature? A bit too cryogenic, perhaps a nod to Italy’s sweltering summers. By morning, breakfast marks the end of the journey, but not before one last refreshment in the lounge to ease the return to reality.
This is just the beginning. Arsenale plans to launch six trains by 2027, with routes to Istanbul, Split, and Paris. They’re also expanding into Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and the UAE, and partnering with Orient Express to open luxury hotels like La Minerva in Rome and Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice. Barletta’s vision? To create a global fleet that blends heritage with modern luxury, much like the cruising industry.
But here’s the question: Is this the future of travel, or a relic of the past? As La Dolce Vita rolls on, carrying passengers from one Italian postcard to the next, it’s clear this isn’t just a train—it’s a statement. What do you think? Is this the ultimate way to experience Italy, or a lavish indulgence too far? Let us know in the comments!
