THE ARCHITECTURE OF ITALIAN DESIGN
Italy, Reimagined in Motion
La Dolce Vita Orient Express is a modern expression of Italian rail travel: a journey shaped by cinema, design, craftsmanship, and the unhurried pleasure of seeing Italy at its most evocative.
Designed by Milan’s Dimorestudio, the train pays homage to the golden era of Italian creativity. Lacquered surfaces, brass details, richly textured fabrics, and mid-century forms draw inspiration from masters including Gio Ponti, Gae Aulenti, and Osvaldo Borsani, creating a world that feels as though 1960s Rome has been reimagined for the present day.
Across eight curated itineraries and 14 Italian regions, La Dolce Vita Orient Express journeys through vineyard country, historic cities, coastal landscapes, and lesser-seen corners of Italy. Routes may lead to Montalcino’s celebrated vineyards, the truffle country of Nizza Monferrato, Matera, Venice, Portofino, or the distinct landscapes of Sicily.
For guests pairing rail with a private Tuscan villa, an Italian city stay, or a wider European itinerary, Atmosphère Travel Co. can position this experience as a seamless and memorable chapter within the journey, not simply a way of getting from one destination to another.
Dimorestudio: Mid-Century Glamour, Reimagined
Paying homage to the artistic and design renaissance of 1960s and 1970s Italy, the interiors of La Dolce Vita Orient Express are envisioned by internationally acclaimed Milanese studio Dimorestudio.
Every carriage is designed as part of the journey itself: an immersive expression of Italian heritage, where cinema, art, craft, and contemporary travel meet.
The Architectural Palette
Custom furnishings, warm wood, polished brass, lacquered surfaces, jewel-toned upholstery, and a deliberate interplay of reflective and matte finishes create an atmosphere that is both richly layered and quietly refined.
The Details
Lighting, texture, and decorative elements are carefully composed to shift the mood throughout the day, from the soft glow of a morning departure to the intimate ambience of an evening on board.
The Homage
The spaces draw inspiration from influential Italian designers including Gio Ponti, Carlo Scarpa, and Ignazio Gardella, alongside the Spatialist artists Lucio Fontana, Agostino Bonalumi, and Enrico Castellani. The result is a train that honors a golden era of Italian design while remaining unmistakably contemporary.
The Art of Italian Indulgence
All-Inclusive Grand Luxe
A voyage calibrated for the senses. From the first light of morning to the final notes of live music at night, every moment on board transforms slow rail travel into something closer to living inside a beautiful memory.
A Culinary Journey Curated by Chef Heinz Beck
Aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express, gastronomy is not simply served, it is woven into the rhythm of the journey. The culinary experience is curated by Rome’s three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, whose menus celebrate the regions, seasons, aromas, and traditions unfolding beyond the window.
The Morning Ritual
Begin the day with an Italian breakfast, served in the privacy of your cabin or in the Restaurant Car: freshly baked pastries, artisanal specialties, and perfectly prepared coffee as the Italian landscape wakes beyond the glass.
A Leisurely Lunch
Midday brings a refined multi-course lunch shaped by seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and the culinary character of the region you are traveling through.
The Italian Aperitivo
As afternoon becomes evening, the Lounge Bar invites guests into Italy’s most beloved ritual: aperitivo. Enjoy antipasti, regional wines, and signature cocktails in the glow of the train’s beautifully designed social spaces.
The Gourmet Dinner
The evening’s centerpiece is an elegant, multi-course dinner curated by Chef Heinz Beck, Italian ingredients reimagined with precision and served with quiet, attentive hospitality as the train moves through the night.
Dining services and the number of meals included vary according to the itinerary and journey duration.
The Dining Car: Refined Eclecticism
The Restaurant Car welcomes guests into an elegant world of eclectic furnishings and striking geometric design. Glossy, sage-toned lacquered walls and soft light from carefully placed sconces create an intimate setting for long lunches and candlelit dinners.
Fine linens, delicate china, and the changing Italian landscape beyond the window complete the experience, making every meal feel composed, considered, and wholly of the journey.
The Lounge Bar
The Social Heart of the Train
The Lounge Bar is a warm, inviting space defined by its luminous lacquered ceiling and sophisticated furnishings in soft beige, off-white, and camel tones.
Daytime Tranquility
By day, it is a sunlit salon for conversation, reading, a quiet espresso, or an unhurried glass of wine as Italy passes beyond the windows.
Evening Aperitivo
As the afternoon settles into evening, the Lounge Bar becomes the setting for aperitivo: antipasti, signature cocktails, and Italian wines enjoyed before dinner. Later, live music brings a new energy to the carriage, inviting guests to linger over a digestif and let the evening unfold at its own pace.
The Journey, Fully Considered
La Dolce Vita Orient Express is designed so that the experience feels complete from the moment you arrive at the station. Your fare includes the essential elements of life on board, alongside destination experiences that bring each itinerary into fuller focus.
Included with Your Journey
Italian Dining On Board
Table d’hôte meals prepared with seasonal and regional ingredients, with cuisine curated by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck. Meal timing and the number of services vary according to your selected itinerary and journey length.
A Thoughtful Beverage Selection
A selection of wines, spirits, cocktails, coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages is included throughout the journey. Premium labels, rare bottles, and select à la carte offerings may carry an additional charge.
The La Dolce Vita Lounge
Before a departure from Roma Ostiense, guests can begin their experience in the La Dolce Vita Lounge, a Hugo Toro-designed space that blends 1960s Italian design references with contemporary glamour. Lounge access and pre-departure arrangements should be confirmed with your selected itinerary.
Destination Experiences
Every itinerary includes a dedicated land-based experience, curated to bring guests closer to the food, culture, landscapes, and traditions of the destination. Depending on the route, this may include experiences such as a private palazzo visit, a truffle hunt, a special dinner, or a guided cultural encounter. Additional optional excursions may be available.
Around-the-Clock Hospitality
Twenty-four-hour on-board service and entertainment are part of the experience, ensuring that the journey retains its ease from early morning through the final notes of the evening.
Private Retreats on the Rails
Each cabin is an intimate retreat, designed for privacy, comfort, and the quiet pleasure of watching Italy unfold beyond the window. Every accommodation includes a private en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet, and vanity area, along with bathrobes, slippers, towels, and premium toiletries
The Deluxe Cabin: Refined Comfort
75 sq ft / 7 sq m · Sleeps up to 2
The Deluxe Cabin is a compact, meticulously designed retreat that makes intelligent use of every inch—ideal for guests who value Italian design, privacy, and the romance of overnight rail travel.
The Space
A stylish sofa transforms into a 140 cm x 190 cm double bed at night, while ottomans serve as both small tables and additional stools by day.
The Aesthetic
Cool-toned interiors, mirrored back walls, wooden-slat ceilings, and soft carpeting create a warm, light-filled atmosphere that feels both intimate and considered.
The Details
Clean lines, fine Italian materials, and a private en-suite bathroom ensure that even the train’s most compact accommodation remains comfortable and complete.
The Suite Cabin: An Expanded Living Experience
118 sq ft / 11 sq m · Sleeps up to 2
For guests seeking more room to settle in, the Suite Cabin offers a more residential interpretation of life on board. A dedicated living area makes it particularly well suited to lingering over morning coffee, sharing an aperitivo, or simply enjoying the landscape in greater comfort.
The Space
Each Suite includes a sofa, a table, and two armchairs, along with a sleeping area configured with either a double bed or twin beds.
The Palette
Warm orange, terracotta, and violet tones are paired with authentic brass details, creating a confident and enveloping expression of 1960s Italian design.
The Artistry
Smoked mirrors reflect the passing countryside and expand the sense of space, while a glossy burnt-sienna lacquered ceiling, plush textiles, and period lighting create a more dramatic, theatrical mood.
The Amenities
A private en-suite bathroom and thoughtful storage ensure that the Suite combines mid-century design with contemporary ease.
Italy by Rail — Choose a Journey
LA DOLCE VITA ORIENT EXPRESS: THE ITINERARIES
Italy is not experienced in a straight line. Each La Dolce Vita Orient Express journey is designed as a curated passage through the country’s landscapes, culinary traditions, artistic legacy, and lesser-seen places.
From vineyard country and medieval towns to the shores of Portofino, the UNESCO heritage of Matera, and the theatrical glamour of Venice, each route has its own character and rhythm.
Select an itinerary on the map to explore its route, duration, and signature experiences.
Routes, stopovers, inclusions, and departure dates may vary by season and are subject to change. Atmosphère Travel Co. will confirm current itinerary details and availability at the time of inquiry.
Fairways & Fine Rail: An Italian Golf Journey
La Dolce Vita Orient Express brings together two Italian pleasures: the unhurried elegance of rail travel and the game’s most memorable settings. Its Golf Collection features four-day, three-night journeys designed for travelers who value excellence both on and off the fairway.
These itineraries travel through Italy’s varied landscapes and pair time aboard the train with access to celebrated courses. The current collection includes Northern Greens and Italian Swing, with routes, courses, and departures subject to seasonal programming.
The Professional Companion
An internationally renowned professional golfer travels with guests throughout the journey, offering technical insight, personal stories, informal conversation, and opportunities for small-group guidance along the way.
Life on Board
Between rounds, return to the calm, design-led world of the train: cuisine curated by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, Italian aperitivo in the Lounge Bar, live music, and the rare pleasure of watching the country unfold from your cabin window.
For the Non-Golfer
This is not a golf trip that leaves a companion behind. Non-playing guests can experience the journey through Italy’s art, culture, landscapes, and wellness traditions, with curated parallel experiences at select stops.
Italian Swing
Rome · Apulia · Siena · Tuscany · Rome
4 days / 3 nights · Round trip
A refined golf journey through southern and central Italy, pairing the slow rhythm of La Dolce Vita Orient Express with play at some of the country’s most evocative courses.
San Domenico Golf Club, in Apulia, where a links-style course meets the Adriatic landscape
The Club at Castiglion del Bosco, a private Tuscan course set in Val d’Orcia
Antognolla Golf Club or Argentario Golf Club, selected according to the departure date
A possible extension in Rome at Marco Simone Golf Club, available with the Southern Essence: The Golf Experience package
A dedicated concierge supports arrangements from booking onward, including golf-bag handling and equipment rental. An internationally renowned professional golfer accompanies the journey, while the onboard experience includes cuisine by Chef Heinz Beck, cocktails, and live music.
Golf courses, sequence of play, hosts, excursions, inclusions, extensions, routing, and departure dates may vary by seasonal program and selected package. Atmosphère Travel Co. will confirm all current details and availability at the time of inquiry.
Northern Greens
Rome · Turin · Brescia · Tuscany · Rome
4 days / 3 nights · Round trip
A four-day journey through Piedmont, Franciacorta, and Tuscany, created for golfers drawn to exceptional courses, northern Italian landscapes, and the quiet elegance of travel by rail.
Royal Park I Roveri, set within La Mandria Regional Park near Turin
Franciacorta Golf Club, surrounded by the vineyard landscapes of Lombardy
The Club at Castiglion del Bosco, in Tuscany’s UNESCO-listed Val d’Orcia
A possible extension in Rome at Marco Simone Golf Club, available with The Signature Fairway Collection package
Onboard, an internationally renowned golf professional shares technical insight and conversation, while non-golfing companions can enjoy curated art, culture, and wellness experiences.
Golf courses, sequence of play, hosts, excursions, inclusions, extensions, routing, and departure dates may vary by seasonal program and selected package. Atmosphère Travel Co. will confirm all current details and availability at the time of inquiry.
A New Chapter in Hospitality
The Birthplace of a New Legacy
Since 1883, Rome has held a special place in the story of Orient Express. Today, that legacy takes on a new dimension beyond the rails with Orient Express La Minerva, the brand’s first hotel.
Set in the heart of the Eternal City, steps from the Pantheon at Piazza della Minerva, this historic Roman palazzo has been thoughtfully reimagined as an intimate expression of Italian hospitality, quiet style, and the art of travel. The building originated as a 17th-century residence and became a grand hotel in 1811 before its transformation under the Orient Express.
A Historic Gateway
Orient Express La Minerva places guests within walking distance of Rome’s enduring landmarks while offering a distinctly private retreat within the ancient capital. Its 93 individually designed rooms and suites bring the brand’s Italian art de vivre from the train into a historic city residence.
The Ultimate Pairing
For travelers beginning or concluding a La Dolce Vita Orient Express journey in Rome, La Minerva is an elegant pre- or post-rail stay. It creates a seamless way to experience the Orient Express world—from waking in Rome’s historic center to stepping aboard the train for an Italian journey. The hotel’s opening was deliberately paired with the launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
Hotel stays, rail departures, transfers, and package arrangements are subject to availability and will be confirmed at the time of inquiry.
Before You Travel
Cabins: Deluxe Cabins, Suites, and the La Dolce Vita Suite; overnight accommodations are designed for a maximum of two guests, and cabins do not interconnect.
Luggage: Recommend one small cabin bag; larger registered luggage is stored separately and is not accessible during the journey. Current guidance specifies a maximum cabin-bag size of 55 × 40 × 23 cm.
Dress: Smart daywear aboard; relaxed, comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear for daytime excursions.
Guests: Children under 12 are not permitted. Guests under 18 must travel with an adult.
Accessibility: One Suite is designed for guests with reduced mobility; the train’s corridors have limited width, so arrangements should be discussed before booking.
Dietary needs: Requests should be made well in advance, current conditions specify at least 30 days before departure.
Begin Your Italian Rail Journey
La Dolce Vita Orient Express is not a trip to be selected from a standard booking engine. It is an experience shaped around the right departure, cabin, itinerary, and time in Italy before or after the train.
Submit an inquiry to begin.
Share your preferred travel dates, number of guests, cabin preference, and the journey that has caught your imagination. Atmosphère Travel Co. will review your request and follow up with next steps.
All itineraries, stopovers, courses, excursions, hotel arrangements, cabin categories, inclusions, pricing, and departure dates are subject to availability and change. Details will be confirmed by Atmosphère Travel Co. at the time of inquiry and booking.
