In October, you’ll be able to experience a modern reinterpretation of the journey that, in 1883, took the original Orient Express to Constantinople (now Istanbul) for the first time.
The train and its design
The train is a true five-star hotel on rails, born from a collaboration between the Arsenale Group and Orient Express (a brand of the Accor Group, in partnership with LVMH), with logistical support from FS Trenitalia. Everything on board is a tribute to Made in Italy and the golden age of Italian design.
It accommodates up to 62 passengers in a total of 31 cabins: 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites, and the exclusive La Dolce Vita Suite. The interiors, designed by the renowned Milanese firm Dimorestudio, evoke the glamorous atmosphere of 1960s and 1970s Italy, with geometric motifs paying homage to design masters such as Gio Ponti and Gae Aulenti.
The culinary experience
The cuisine is overseen by Heinz Beck, a three-Michelin-star chef (who also oversees the culinary offerings at the new Orient Express hotel in Venice). The menus follow the principles of the Mediterranean diet and celebrate the regions traversed, with a focus on seasonality and lightness.
The itinerary (5 days and 4 nights)
The journey embraces the philosophy of slow travel, prioritizing scenic routes over speed. The departure from Rome will be on October 22, 2026. The experience begins at the station in the La Dolce Vita Lounge at Roma Ostiense (designed by architect Hugo Toro), followed by boarding in the evening.
- Stop 1: Venice, where the train makes a stop in the lagoon city, long considered the symbolic and cultural gateway between the West and the East.
- Stop 2: Budapest, the journey continues toward Central Europe, stopping in the historic capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
- Stage 3: The Carpathians (Romania)—passing through breathtaking natural landscapes, forests, and medieval castles, the train stops in the picturesque towns of Brașov and Sinaia.
- Arrival: Istanbul, the terminus is the historic Turkish metropolis, the definitive bridge connecting Europe to Asia.
Prices and reservations
As expected, experiencing this historic revival comes at a decidedly exclusive price. The trip for two people costs 40,000 euros in a Deluxe cabin and 54,400 euros in a Suite.
