Accor’s first Orient Express train through Italy now open for reservations

1 month ago 14

la Dolce Vita Orient Express 1

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our

advertising policy and

product review methodology for more information.

Luxe train travel aboard the Orient Express is expanding, but expect this growth to be more about modern luxury and less about Agatha Christie and murder.

Accor's La Dolce Vita Orient Express — not to be confused with Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient Express — is now open for reservations for its first journeys slated for spring 2025. The official booking window opening follows a presale in December 2022 that saw 400 cabins get booked, so move fast before this posh train leaves the station without you.

There has been some natural head-scratching over which Orient Express is the real Orient Express since Belmond — previously known as Orient-Express Hotels — has been running its train for years. Further, the two Orient Express operations grew closer over the summer after Belmond's parent company, LVMH, announced a new partnership with Accor on future Orient Express growth. Prior to the partnership launch, Accor leaders have been touting their version of the historic, luxe train line as one that would offer more elegant, spacious cabins and suites rolling down the tracks.

The accommodations will provide modern luxury on the rails, but La Dolce Vita Orient Express also pays homage to 1960s and 1970s Italy, so brush up on your Federico Fellini films and consider packing some vintage Emilio Pucci before you board.

The trains will feature 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites and a La Dolce Vita suite — all with en suite bathrooms. La Dolce Vita Orient Express also has a restaurant, a lounge and a bar — and plenty of bragging rights to flaunt to your friends who think a half-bottle of red wine aboard Amtrak's Acela is the pinnacle of luxury train travel.

"This endeavor embodies the essence of exquisite exploration, where sophistication meets adventure," Gilda Perez-Alvarado, the newly named CEO of the Orient Express brand, said in a statement earlier this year. "As we embark on this journey together, we invite travellers to experience the pinnacle of elegance and excitement, immersed in the charm and splendour of Italy."

The Italian train reservations arrive as Accor works on opening its first two Orient Express hotels: Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Palazzo Dona Giovannelli in Venice. A luxury superyacht for the brand is also expected to hit the seas in the coming years.

Where is Accor's Orient Express heading?

Depending on the season, travelers will have the option of booking nine different routes in Italy aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express:

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

A two-night coast-to-coast route from Rome to Venice to Portofino before returning to Rome
A two-night triangle route from Rome to Venice and then to Siena before returning to the Eternal City
A two-night route between Rome, Palena and Matera
A one-night Italian wine-inspired journey between Rome and Montalcino (with a return trip to Rome)
A one-night wine- and truffle-inspired journey from Rome to Nizza Monferrato (with a return trip to Rome)
A one-night southern Italian journey from Rome to Maratea and then to Palermo
A one-night coastal route from Palermo to Maratea and then to Rome
An all-Sicily two-night journey from Palermo to Agrigento and Taormina before returning to Palermo
A three-night journey from Palermo to Agrigento and then to Taormina before returning to Palermo with time for travelers to get out and explore; the train then heads to Messina for a ferry crossing to the Italian mainland before heading onward to Maratea and Rome

Once aboard, guests will be treated to Italian wine and gourmet cuisine. Additionally, the La Dolce Vita lounge at the Rome Ostiense train station will be available for travelers to unwind before their decadent train experience.

Rates for a one-night itinerary start at 3,500 euros (about $3,852) per person in a deluxe cabin and 4,700 euros (about $5,172) per person in a suite. It does not appear the terms "Agatha Christie" or "Hercule Poirot" are discount codes to use toward those hefty nightly rates.

A brand spokesperson told TPG this week that while the upcoming Orient Express hotels in Italy will participate in the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program, La Dolce Vita Orient Express will not.

Where to book

Travelers can book their journeys by visiting the La Dolce Vita Orient Express website. U.S. and Canadian travelers can also book over the phone by dialing 833-661-3080.

Related reading:

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Read Entire Article