I arrived in Rome for my agency’s discovery trip with Orient Express for six days of experiences, first-time stays at their luxury properties, and one night on La Dolce Vita, the insanely outfitted train that travels from Rome to Venice with a few stops along the way.
Here’s what I discovered on our journey:
Rome
As a very spiritual person, I was ecstatic to arrive in the Eternal City, a city I have longed to experience. My few hours on the ground there were definitely not enough. Upon arrival at Orient Express Minerva — the first property in the brand — I was greeted by efficient bellmen in one of Rome’s most charming squares, with a cathedral to my left, the Pantheon just opposite, and a newsstand nearby. After a quick spa treatment (my go-to if arriving before noon), I ventured down to the hotel’s pop-up from Capri, Paolin, in the gorgeous dining room for lunch with my colleagues and our hosts from Orient Express and Access Italy. We dined on lemon pasta and branzino — the perfect start to day one.
Onward to our private Vatican Experience — through decades of relationships, Access Italy offers this incredible experience with the Guardian of the Liturgical Items and the Conclave. This gentleman’s office is behind the Sistine Chapel, and he is also responsible for organizing the conclave and traditional holiday services in the Vatican, including Easter and Christmas.
Seeing the Vatican through his eyes and doors was one of the most memorable experiences I will ever have. It was incredible to see the walls so few have been within. Afterward, we walked around the city for a bit and headed off to our next adventure — a private wine tasting at the famed Rome restaurant Pierluigi, followed by a glorious dinner in the dining room full of locals enjoying a fun weeknight dinner in Rome.
After a great first night’s sleep across the pond at the Orient Express Minerva, it was time to get up and get dressed for glamorous train travel to Venice.
💡 Travel note: the rooftop bar/restaurant Gigi’s is from the Paris Gigi’s brand and exudes the same exclusivity, scene, and delicious F&B — all while overlooking the Eternal City’s sunset from the terrace.
La Dolce Vita
When I was chosen for this FAM experience, I was giddy. The thought of boarding a train as a mode of transport from one pristine Italian destination to another — a dream I had only ever dared to dream.
"That's the funny thing about this business — the dreams we once only dared to dream become reality, which in turn allows us to bring those same dreams to life for our clients. I get just as excited to relive these magical moments through their travels as I did living them myself."
We arrived at the La Dolce Vita lounge at the Rome train station, where our crew was decked out in the finest Italian wardrobe you have ever seen. The lounge might as well have been a five-star hotel unto itself — beautiful furnishings and decor, a lively and talented band, and full bar service with snacks.
We stayed for about an hour, which is truly part of the experience, and then it was time to board — equally full of fanfare. The crew stood outside, greeting guests as we were escorted to our car and suite. My boarding pass read E2. My butler got me settled into my suite — champagne and goodies included — and off we went. Those first few moments were giddily exciting and felt as glamorous as I’d imagined.
“Getting on a train, traveling through Italy, enjoying multi-course meals with wine pairings while the countryside rolls by — in a suite so beautifully designed you feel like you’re stepping back in time.”
The Cabin
From E2’s perspective, I was elated to have a double-size bed with comfy, cozy linens, a duvet, and pillows, plus a nightstand and a desk with two swiveling chairs — very smartly arranged, with storage for your shoes underneath. The two-seater couch across from the desk was the perfect spot for arrivals and departures, with storage underneath as well.
The full wall behind included a closet, a mini bar with a coffee machine, and the bathroom door — all mirrored and making great use of the space. Inside the small but well-appointed bathroom was a full-size shower, toilet, and sink, with gorgeous amenities, including a Dyson hair dryer. Very important for girls on the go.
Overall, the cabin was perfect for one, or a very cozy couple. There have been mixed reviews on sleep — I, for one, took a quick nap after our excursion and had a glorious 20 minutes rocked to sleep by the moving train. When we went to bed after our night in the bar car, the train was stopped, which made it a little harder to settle. The copious amounts of champagne did help. When we woke up to the train rolling again, it was a seamless sleep straight through to Venice.
The Journey
Once on board, we received our lunch seating assignments and walked through the bar car to the dining room, where we were served a gorgeous three-course meal — including one of the most delicious lasagna bolognese dishes I’ve ever had — accompanied by wines with each course.
The actual distance by high-speed train from Rome to Venice is four hours, so Orient Express does a bit of a detour to make the journey worthwhile. We stopped about an hour outside of Siena and boarded a luxury transfer into one of Tuscany’s most beautiful towns.
Orient Express arranges the excursion for each passenger — ours included a private tour of a noble house overlooking the Piazza del Campo, home to the Palio di Siena, the ancient horse race run each year on July 2nd and August 16th, a tradition dating back to the 13th century. The home was extraordinary — and had just received a visit from Madonna herself, seated in the prettiest pink chair just days before our arrival.
Back on board, it was time for a quick refresh and dinner — another beautifully designed multi-course meal with wine pairings.
Then came the entertainment portion of the evening in the legendary bar car — a full-scale Broadway-style sing-along with live musicians and full drink service leading the fun. The crowd was hyped, dancing through the swishes and sways of the train.
“The only murder was on the dance floor.” 🚂
A perfect end to a magical day, start to finish.
Next Stop: Venezia
I woke up around 8am and opened my curtains to the Italian countryside whizzing by. I ordered a cappuccino while getting ready to disembark, my butler arriving at the cabin a few minutes before 10am to retrieve my bags. I popped into the dining car for one last bite before departure.
We pulled into Venezia Santa Lucia — Venice’s central station, sitting right on the Grand Canal — and were handed off to our water taxis for the arrival at the not-yet-opened Orient Express Venezia. A decade in the making. A property that deserves its own post, coming soon.
The Verdict
The Orient Express La Dolce Vita is not just a way to get from Rome to Venice. It’s the journey itself — a step back in time, through two of the world’s most sacred cities, with white glove service and not a single detail left unconsidered.
Orient Express offers dozens of itineraries throughout Italy, including the Grand Tour — a round-trip from Rome with stops in Venice, Matera, Taormina, and Palermo over five days and four nights. There is genuinely something for everyone.
If you’ve ever wanted to mix up the way you travel — to slow down, be draped in the finest Italian hospitality, and arrive somewhere feeling like the trip itself was the destination — this is it.
Until our next adventure,
xx Libby
I loved reading this Libby! You are a gifted travel writer. All so evocative! x
That’s a dream of mine to go on the Orient Express