Its return to the Italian rails is announced for 2023. Inspired by its illustrious predecessor, it will revive the prestige of old-fashioned travel in today’s fashion, that of luxury slow tourism. Here’s a taste of it.

If there is a legendary train, it is the Orient Express, born, thanks to a young visionary entrepreneur, Georges Nagelmackers, founder of the International Sleeping Car Company, in 1876. He gave his letters of nobility to rail travel with his luxury trains, offering a refined service to the most elite customers. Today, the Arsenale and Accor groups are joining forces to revive the legend. In 2023, six trains will be launched across fourteen Italian regions, connecting 131 cities. Each train will carry 62 passengers, who will be able to spend between one and three nights on board. Itineraries selected for their tourist attractions will allow passengers to discover the many facets of the country, inviting them to take their time, passing through landscapes on 16,000 km of tracks – some of which is not electrified – from the Alps to the beaches, stopping at cultural hotspots such as Milan, Florence, Venice, and Rome. It will also be possible to reach Paris, Istanbul, and Split. At the crossroads, the Eternal City inspired this “Orient Express La Dolce Vita,” taking its name from Federico Fellini’s film, released in 1960. At the time, Italy was enjoying a carefree lifestyle, asserting its art of living and deploying its creativity. Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran, founders of Dimorestudio, were responsible for the décor of the Deluxe cabins, suites, and gourmet restaurant. They chose to pay tribute to the golden age of Italian design, from the 1950s to the 1970s, by creating sophisticated spaces with a focus on craftsmanship. Between tradition and modernity, travel becomes an art.

http://www.orient-express.com/

Instagram: @orientexpress

Sophie Reyssat