Inside new Orient Express trains taking tourists to Italy’s top cities | World | News

The Orient Express may be one of the all-time iconic railway experiences, but that doesn’t mean it can’t benefit from an update.

The Orient Express La Dolce Vita is setting off next April and its sleek new design is sure to impress passengers.

Designed by Dimorestudio, the Orient Express invites passengers to step aboard the carriages and enjoy the “sumptuous décor celebrating the brilliance of the masters of 20th century Italian design”.

“It’s a journey into the heart of indulgence, inspired by the style of Giò Ponti, Nanda Vigo, Gae Aulenti and Osvaldo Borsani”, according to the company’s website.

There are various different routes guests can take. You could travel from Rome, via Venice and Portofino, before heading back to the capital.

Or why not replace the visit to Portofino with a stop in Tuscany instead? 

If you prefer a one-way trip, you could take the glorious train down from Rome, through the towns of Maratea and Taormina, before finishing in the Sicilian city of Palermo.

Based down in Sicily? No problem. You can simply take the reverse route from Palermo to Rome, or stay in the south and visit Catania, as well as Palermo and Taormina.

Aboard the carriages, guests can pick from 12 deluxe cabins and 18 suites. Each features intricate design elements like wood-paneled ceilings, beautiful textiles, and brass sconces.

However, the experience is not cheap. The least costly option you can take is the Rome to Montalcino round trip, starting from £3,912 per passenger per night.

More expensive options include the Rome, Venice and Portofino round trip which starts from £6,193, or the Rome to Sicily round trip via Taormina and Maratea, starting from £7,391.