New European train set to launch dubbed the world’s ‘most luxurious’ with private cabins and cocktails
A FAMOUS rail service is set to introduce a brand-new luxury train service with an onboard cocktail bar, private cabins and other lavish touches.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express imitates the luxury of 1960s Italy, all while passing through some of the country’s most well-loved holiday hotspots.
Onboard there are 12 deluxe cabins and 18 cabin suites, including the train’s La Dolce Vita signature suite.
All of the cabins boast features like cosy bedding, wood detailing, carpeted floors and huge windows that are perfect for starting at the unmissable views.
On the website, the cabin suites have been described as “true master bedrooms” thanks to its large bed, armchairs and private bathroom.
Guests can also order room service on tablet devices from the comfort of their rooms, including a selection of savoury Italian delicacies like olives and taralli.
Before departing guests will be invited into the Orient Express La Dolce Vita Lounge where they’ll watch a “mysterious ballet” complete with Turkish guitars and Italian sweets.
Italian music will be played in the onboard Bar Car where guests can relax with a cocktail or play chess, Backgammon or Scopa – a famous Italian card game.
On their first night onboard, guests will receive a handwritten letter inviting them to the restaurant, where a Storyteller will reveal “secrets and mysteries of the world” between each dish.
According to Travel + Leisure, holidaymakers will soon be able to book tickets for La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
They wrote: “La Dolce Vita Orient Express announced that it will soon be ready for guests to book tickets for what could arguably be called the most luxurious train journey in the world.”
While departure dates have yet to be set in stone, there are nine journeys potential passengers can choose from, some of which are seasonal.
One route takes passengers from Venice to Portofino, another from Matera to Palena, while another journeys from Palermo to Rome, with its first departures operating from next spring.
Tickets for one-night stays cost €3,500 (£3,000) per person for a deluxe cabin, and €4,700 (£4,026) per person for a suite.
A virtual ticket window is slated to open on April 24, 2024, with reservations already being taken over the phone.
Gilda Perez-Alvarado, the CEO of Orient Express said: “We are thrilled to officially open the doors to a new era of travel with La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
“This endeavor embodies the essence of exquisite exploration, where sophistication meets adventure. As we embark on this journey together, we invite travellers to experience the pinnacle of elegance and excitement, immersed in the charm and splendor of Italy.”
The UK leg of the Orient Express
The UK leg of the Orient Express, which had connected London with Istanbul, via several other destinations on the continent since the 1900s, will cease to operate this year.
A spokesperson from the line’s operator Belmond said: “We’re adjusting operations in 2024 ahead of enhanced passport and border controls.
“We want to avoid any risk of travel disruption for our guests – delays and missing train connections – and provide the highest level of service, as seamless and relaxed as possible.”
Passengers will need to take the Eurostar to Paris where they’ll be able to board the famous train.
Other luxurious train journeys
At the end of last year, the Royal Scotsman in Scotland was named one of the best train journeys in the world by Conde Nast Traveler.
The Scottish train made the list thanks to its indulgent and intimate atmosphere.
Another fancy train journey in the UK is the four-night Welsh Dragon holiday, run by Steam Dreams Rail Co.
Three scenic train journeys you can take in the UK
Cornish Coast – One trip that rail enthusiasts seem to love is along a stretch of the Cornish coast and takes just 10 minutes to complete.
The route from St Erth to St Ives only stops at Carbis Bay en route to its final destination, but the views out the window for the whole journey are pretty spectacular.
Another highlight of the journey is that St Ives station is situated right next to Porthminster beach, meaning the sand and sea can be accessed almost immediately.
Meanwhile, the station is less than a ten minute walk into town, where the harbour, shops, galleries and pubs can be explored.
Durham to Edinburgh – Another train route that people in the UK love is the East Coast train line between Durham and Edinburgh, with coastal views and city landscapes among the sights that can be seen out the window.
Newcastle, Berwick, Lindisfarne and Durham Cathedral are all among the highlights on that route.
Scotland’s West Highland Line – While Scotland is home to plenty of famous landmarks and top attractions, it also has one of the most breathtaking train routes in the world.
Scotland’s West Highland Line has previously been dubbed the best rail journey in the world by Wanderlust – and it’s easy to see why.
The journey from Glasgow to Fort William is one of my favourite train routes – and I’ve interrailed through mainland Europe.
With mountain landscapes, serene lochs, wistful moors, and wildlife all visible through the train window, it’s certainly a route all holidaymakers should consider doing at least once.
Travelling from London Paddington through Wales, there is an onboard bar as well as a dining car with a specially made menu.
Starting from £995pp, the steam train trip is set to run this September.