Overview
Set off on a five-day, four-night one way journey from Rome to Istanbul aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
Glide through stops in Venice’s luminous canals, wander Budapest’s elegant streets, and feel the quiet magic of the Carpathians in Brașov and Sinaia. Then, enter the enchanting, timeless allure of Istanbul, city of domes, markets, and endless stories, reaching the legendary eastern terminus that made the Orient Express a legend.
Itinerary
Your Itinerary
ROME
Your journey begins with a private transfer from your hotel or the airport to the La Dolce Vita lounge at Rome Ostiense, which opens three hours before departure, offering a calm, refined space to relax and prepare for your journey. In the evening, the train departs from Rome, and you settle into your private cabin, letting the Italian countryside drift past your window. Dinner is served in the Restaurant Car, crafted by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, offering a first taste of the culinary excellence to come.
After dinner, enjoy live music performed by a pianist and vocalist, setting a warm, elegant atmosphere as the train glides toward Venice.
VENICE
In the morning of the second day, the train arrives in Venice, where the city’s shimmering canals, ornate palaces, and narrow alleys welcome you. Local assistants greet you on the platform and accompany you by private water taxi to the heart of the city. Spend the day wandering freely or choose from curated experiences, each designed to reveal Venice’s history, art, and hidden corners.In the late afternoon, return to the station to rejoin the train.
Onboard, a dinner in the Restaurant Car, crafted by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, is served as the city’s lights fade behind you.
BUDAPEST
Wake to the sight of Budapest on the third day: upon arrival, local assistants welcome you and accompany you by private transfer into the heart of the city. Spend the day exploring its elegant streets, iconic bridges, and hidden squares, or choose from curated experiences designed to reveal the city’s art, history, and cultural treasures.
In the late afternoon, return to the train, where a dinner in the Restaurant Car, crafted by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, awaits. As the train continues eastward, live music performed by a pianist and vocalist fills the carriage, creating an intimate, refined atmosphere.
The Carpathians
The fourth day, the train winds through the Carpathians and arrives in Brașov, a town of medieval streets and charming squares nestled in the mountains. Here, a private guide and a luxury transfer take you into the heart of Transylvania, where legends and history intertwine. Your first stop is the dramatic Bran Castle, famously known as “Dracula’s Castle,” its towering battlements and secret passages whispering tales of myths and intrigue.
The journey then winds to Sinaia, revealing the breathtaking Peles Castle, a jewel of Neo-Renaissance architecture set against the majestic Carpathian Mountains—a fairy-tale palace where history meets elegance.
ISTANBUL
Step into the enchanting world of Casanova’s Venice, a journey interwoven with history, intrigue, and undeniable allure.As you meander through the Calli and Campielli, you will be transported to an era of opulent masquerade balls, where noble ladies and dashing cavaliers, draped in resplendent attire, once glided gracefully to the melodies of Rondò in the grand halls of Venetian palaces along the Canal Grande.Guided by our expert historians, you will uncover the hidden passages of the Doge’s Palace, where the echoes of clandestine affairs and whispered intrigues still reverberate.
Book This Tour
Terms & Conditions
Booking & Payment
- Deposit: 15% of the fare is due at the time of booking.
- Final payment: the balance is due no less than 65 days before departure (the operator requires full payment 60 days out).
- Fares are per person in EUR unless stated otherwise.
Cancellation
Per the operator's current General Conditions of Sale (La Dolce Vita Orient Express, April 2026), cancellation charges as a percentage of the total fare are:
- 61 days or more before departure: 15% (the deposit)
- 60 to 31 days before departure: 50%
- 30 days or less before departure: 100%
Changes
- One change of date or itinerary is free of charge; each further change is EUR 200.
- Less than 30 days before departure, a change of date or itinerary is treated as a cancellation.
- Name changes/transfers are subject to the actual costs of transfer and are not permitted within 30 days of departure.
Operator cancellation
The operator may cancel a departure if train occupancy is below 20% (notified at least 90 days before departure) or in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances; in that case all payments are refunded in full within 14 days.
The operator's complete General Conditions of Sale are provided with your booking confirmation and prevail in case of any difference.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Accommodation on board in your selected cabin category
- All meals on board - breakfast, lunch and dinner with menus curated by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck
- Selected beverages on board, including wines paired with meals
- Off-train excursions and experiences as described in the itinerary
- Live entertainment in the Bar Car
- Dedicated cabin steward service
Not included
- Travel to the departure city and from the arrival city
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Anything not expressly listed in the itinerary
Travel tips and FAQs for this tour will be provided upon booking.
Media Gallery
La Dolce Vita Orient Express: From Rome to Istanbul
La Dolce Vita Orient Express: From Rome to Istanbul
La Dolce Vita Orient Express: From Rome to Istanbul
La Dolce Vita Orient Express: From Rome to Istanbul
Check Availability & Request a Quote
From $23,338 per person (double occupancy, USD) — live dates and rates are in the Book This Tour section above.
Check availability & request a quote
A rail specialist replies within 1 business day — no obligation.