There are certain names in travel that need little introduction. The Ritz. The Savoy. Riva. Concorde. Orient Express belongs in that company.
For well over a century, it has represented something far greater than simply travelling from one place to another. It’s about slowing the journey down. Lingering over beautifully prepared lunches as vineyards drift past the window. Dressing for dinner, not because you have to, but because the occasion calls for it. Waking up somewhere entirely new without ever having touched an airport.
Today, the world of Orient Express extends far beyond the railway itself. Alongside extraordinary train journeys, the brand now encompasses exceptional hotels, the spectacular Orient Express Corinthian sailing yacht and a growing collection of experiences that celebrate the romance of travel.
As Accor Preferred Partners, we’re delighted to offer our clients privileged access to many of these experiences. Whether you’re considering your first luxury rail journey or planning a longer itinerary through Europe, here’s why Orient Express deserves a place on every luxury traveller’s wish list.
Why Luxury Rail Is Having a Renaissance
There was a time when the train was simply the most practical way to get from A to B. Today, it’s become one of the most sought-after ways to experience a destination.
Across Europe, luxury rail journeys are enjoying a remarkable revival. Travellers are seeking experiences that feel slower, more thoughtful and more connected to the places they pass through. Rather than rushing between airports, the journey itself has become something to savour.
Orient Express sits at the very heart of that renaissance. Whether aboard the historic L’Orient Express, La Dolce Vita Orient Express or the brand’s growing collection of hotels and sailing yachts, the emphasis isn’t simply on where you’re going, but how you choose to get there.
More than one Orient Express
If you’ve started researching the Orient Express name, you’ve probably discovered something rather confusing. There isn’t just one train.
The original Orient Express first departed Paris in 1883, quickly becoming one of the most celebrated journeys in the world. Over the decades, routes evolved, carriages were restored, ownership changed hands and new interpretations emerged, each inspired by the same spirit of elegant, unhurried travel.
Today, Orient Express invites travellers to experience its story in two distinct ways. L’Orient Express retraces the legendary route from Paris to Istanbul aboard beautifully restored historic carriages, while La Dolce Vita Orient Express explores Italy through a collection of carefully curated journeys. One honours the romance of the original railway; the other celebrates Italy’s extraordinary landscapes, cuisine and design, weaving between iconic cities, vineyard-covered hills and spectacular coastlines.
L’Orient Express: The Return of a Legend
When the original Orient Express departed Paris in 1883, it transformed the way people travelled across Europe, connecting Paris with Constantinople in unrivalled comfort and style. More than simply a train, it became a symbol of elegance, adventure and discovery, inspiring generations of writers, artists and travellers along the way.
In 2027, that story enters an exciting new chapter with the launch of L’Orient Express.
Retracing the legendary route between Paris and Istanbul, the train will comprise 17 original Orient Express carriages from the 1920s and 1930s, each meticulously restored and reimagined under the direction of acclaimed French architect Maxime d’Angeac. Rather than recreating the past, his vision blends the craftsmanship and romance of the original train with the comforts and expectations of modern luxury.
Expect intimate lounges wrapped in rich rosewood, marble detailing and original Lalique features, a spectacular dining car where the kitchen becomes part of the theatre, and beautifully designed suites inspired by the golden age of travel. Every space has been conceived to encourage something increasingly rare: slowing down, looking out of the window and allowing the journey to become part of the destination.
For anyone who has ever dreamed of travelling aboard the Orient Express, 2027 marks the return of one of luxury travel’s greatest icons. We’re already helping clients plan ahead for its inaugural journeys.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Italy at Its Most Beautiful
If L’Orient Express is rooted in history, La Dolce Vita Orient Express is a love letter to Italy.
Inspired by the effortless glamour of the 1960s, it invites guests to rediscover the country at a gentler pace, where the landscapes beyond the window become just as memorable as the destinations themselves. Rather than following a single route, the train offers a collection of thoughtfully curated itineraries, weaving through ancient cities, vineyard-covered hills, dramatic coastlines and some of Italy’s most captivating regions.
Whether you’re travelling between Rome and Venice, discovering the rolling countryside of Tuscany, exploring the rugged beauty of Sicily, or embarking on the spectacular route between Rome and Istanbul, every itinerary is designed to immerse you in Italy’s extraordinary culture, cuisine and craftsmanship.
That philosophy continues on board. The interiors pay homage to the icons of Italian design, blending mid-century elegance with contemporary comfort, while dining is overseen by acclaimed three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, whose menus celebrate the diversity of Italy’s regional flavours. Between beautifully designed suites, elegant lounges and ever-changing scenery, the train becomes far more than a way to travel; it becomes an integral part of the experience itself.
It’s Italy as it was always meant to be explored: slowly, stylishly and with plenty of time to savour everything in between.
Which Orient Express Journey Should You Choose?
The beauty of Orient Express is that there isn’t a single “signature” journey. Whether you’re looking for a one-night gourmet escape through Tuscany or a multi-week Grand Tour combining rail, hotels and life at sea, there’s an itinerary to suit every style of traveller.
For a first taste of Orient Express
If you’re new to luxury rail travel, we’d begin with La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
The Venice & Tuscany itinerary (24–27 September 2026) offers a wonderful introduction, winding through vineyard-covered landscapes before arriving in one of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Or, for food and wine lovers, Tastes of Tuscan Vineyards (22–24 November 2026) celebrates one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions, paired with exceptional dining curated by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck.
We’d recommend arriving a couple of nights early at Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, where the beautifully restored 17th-century palazzo provides the perfect introduction to the brand. Afterwards, continue your stay at Orient Express Venezia, housed within the magnificent Palazzo Donà Giovannelli overlooking two of Venice’s canals, allowing the journey to continue long after you’ve stepped off the train.
For those looking beyond Italy
If you’ve always dreamed of travelling east, the Rome to Istanbul itinerary (22–27 October 2026) is one of the collection’s most remarkable voyages. Over four nights, La Dolce Vita Orient Express travels through Italy before continuing towards Budapest, Transylvania and Istanbul, echoing the spirit of the original Orient Express while creating something entirely new. The return journey from Istanbul to Rome departs on 30 October 2026.
This is also where we’d start thinking beyond the train itself. A few nights at Orient Express La Minerva before departure, or Orient Express Venezia after your return, transforms a wonderful rail holiday into a beautifully balanced European itinerary.
For the ultimate Orient Express experience
Looking ahead to 2027, L’Orient Express marks the return of one of luxury travel’s greatest icons. Retracing the legendary route between Paris and Istanbul, it will travel aboard seventeen meticulously restored carriages dating from the 1920s and 1930s, each reimagined by architect Maxime d’Angeac. For anyone captivated by the romance of the original Orient Express, this is the journey to watch.
Or, if you’d like to experience everything the brand now has to offer, consider one of the new Grand Italian Tours. These seamlessly combine La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Orient Express La Minerva, Orient Express Venezia and the magnificent Orient Express Corinthian sailing yacht into one extraordinary itinerary. It’s a wonderful expression of what Orient Express has become today: not simply a train, but a complete collection of remarkable travel experiences across rail, sea and city.
Let Us Curate Your Orient Express Journey
An Orient Express journey is about as glamorous as it gets.
Arriving in Rome a few days early to soak up the city before boarding La Dolce Vita. Lingering in Venice after your final stop to experience the canals without the crowds. Pairing a rail adventure with a few nights aboard Orient Express Corinthian, or continuing your travels with some of Europe’s finest hotels.
As Accor Preferred Partners, we have privileged access across the wider Accor collection, including Orient Express. That means expert advice, tailored itinerary planning and, wherever available, exclusive partner benefits designed to make your journey even more memorable.
Whether you’re dreaming of one night through Tuscany, planning one of the new Grand Italian Tours, or looking ahead to the inaugural departures of L’Orient Express in 2027, we’ll help you create an itinerary that’s entirely your own.
After all, the most memorable journeys don’t begin at the station or end when the train arrives. They begin with an idea, evolve into something extraordinary, and become stories you’ll be talking about for years to come.
If you’d like to start planning your own Orient Express adventure, we’d be delighted to help.
