The grand tour, reimagined | Orient Express
Orient Express Presents Grand Italian Tours
One journey
In 1786, Goethe left Karlsbad and travelled south to Italy for two years. This journey, later undertaken by Turner from London and Stendhal from Paris, was known as the Grand Tour. It was a formative experience, rooted in a simple idea: Italy takes time. Months on the road, sometimes years, from Rome to Venice, from Naples to the Tuscan hills.
Today, Orient Express revisits this tradition. In summer 2026, the brand introduces six itineraries under the name Grand Italian Tours: journeys across Italy by rail aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express, on land in its hotels - La Minerva in Rome and Venezia in the heart of Cannaregio - and at sea aboard the sailing yacht Orient Express Corinthian.
From July 19 to September 20, 2026, the routes extend from Venice to the French Riviera, from Rome to Valletta, from Dubrovnik to Marseille.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express is the first luxury train dedicated to Italy. Its interiors, designed by Milan-based Dimore Studio, draw on Italian design from the 1950s to the 1970s. Twenty-eight cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms. Culinary direction is entrusted to three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express is the first luxury train dedicated to Italy. Its interiors, designed by Milan-based Dimore Studio, draw on Italian design from the 1950s to the 1970s. Twenty-eight cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms. Culinary direction is entrusted to three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck.
Housed in a building dating back to 1620, where Stendhal once stayed, the hotel reopened in April 2025 following a restoration led by architect and artist Hugo Toro. It features 93 rooms and suites, some with terraces overlooking Piazza della Minerva. The rooftop restaurant, Gigi Rigolatto Roma, offers panoramic views over the city.
Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, a 15th-century Renaissance residence, stands at the confluence of two canals in Cannaregio. The hotel offers 47 rooms, including 11 suites. Gastronomy is overseen by Heinz Beck, and the restoration reveals the building’s heritage through the vision of architect Aline Asmar d’Amman.
Six itineraries, one geography
Each Grand Italian Tour combines at least two modes of travel: hotel, train or sailing yacht.
All itineraries include a dedicated land-based experience, such as a private visit to a Sienese palazzo, a dinner in the Gardens of Augustus in Capri, a truffle hunt in the forests of Istria, or an evening at the Palais Bulles in Cannes. Additional experiences are available on request.
The 2026 collection comprises six itineraries, each around a distinct territory:
Across all Grand Italian Tours: transfers between each stage, including stations, ports and hotels.
On board the sailing yacht: all meals, a selection of wines and beverages, access to shared facilities, and one exclusive land-based experience per itinerary.
On board the train: cuisine by Heinz Beck, a selection of beverages, and live music following dinner.
Additional charges apply for: the gastronomic restaurant La Table by Yannick Alléno, spa treatments, à la carte wines and spirits, and optional excursions beyond the included experience.
Begin your journey
Plan your grand tour, request bespoke guidance, or simply let us know what you're dreaming of. Our dedicated team will be delighted to assist, guided by the art of service that defines Orient Express.
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