La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Venice to Rome

It is a two-day, one-night one-way journey that leaves Venice in the evening, traces a scenic route through central Italy overnight, gives the second day to Siena, and ends in Rome. The single night is spent in your cabin on board.

Departure is at 6:30 in the evening from Venezia Santa Lucia, so you watch the canals recede as the light goes. Plan to be in Venice earlier in the day, since a private transfer by water taxi brings you to the platform and you will not want to be rushing.

By Venetian water taxi, arranged as a private transfer to Venezia Santa Lucia. The station sits on the Grand Canal, so you step from the boat almost directly to the platform, which is one of the more memorable ways to begin any rail journey.

You settle into your cabin and then dine in the Restaurant Car from a menu by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, built on fresh, seasonal Italian ingredients. Afterwards a pianist and singer fill the lounge with music for an intimate evening as the train heads south.

The second day is given to Siena, with a private visit to an ancient palazzo opened exclusively for guests, where frescoed halls and period furnishings tell the story of one of the city's noble families. The visit ends with a private welcome hosted by the owner and a rare view over the Piazza del Campo from above.

In Siena you are introduced to medieval gold-leaf painting, the technique behind the glowing panel paintings the city is known for, with expert artisans explaining how it is done. It is a quiet, hands-on counterpoint to the grandeur of the palazzo visit earlier in the day.

The Campo is the shell-shaped square at the centre of Siena, one of the great public spaces of medieval Europe and the setting for the Palio horse race. Seeing it from the windows of a private palazzo above, rather than standing in it, is an experience very few visitors get.

Deluxe Cabin and Cabin Suite are both offered. Across the whole train there are 12 Deluxe cabins, 18 suites and the single La Dolce Vita Suite, all en-suite with a dedicated steward. The fare for each category on this departure is shown on this page.

Fares start from around EUR 4,160 per person based on two people sharing a cabin, and vary by cabin category. Because capacity is so small, the exact fare and the categories still available for the departure are shown on this page rather than fixed in advance.

The departure currently loaded leaves Venice on 13 October 2026, an excellent time of year for both Venice and Siena, with mild days and thinner crowds. The date is shown in the departure list on this page and can be booked directly.

Included are your cabin for the night, all meals on board with menus curated by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, selected beverages including drinks served with meals, the Siena experiences described in the itinerary, live entertainment in the Bar Car and dedicated cabin steward service.

Travel to Venice and home from Rome is not part of the fare, nor are personal expenses, gratuities, travel insurance or anything not expressly listed in the itinerary. We can quote hotel nights and private transfers in either city alongside your cabin booking.

Yes, on request and with a supplement over the per-person sharing fare. There are only about thirty cabins on the entire train, so single-use availability is limited, especially on a single-date itinerary. Ask early and we will confirm the rate for you.

A deposit of 30 percent of the tour price confirms your cabin and is non-refundable. The balance is due 125 days before departure, and bookings made within 125 days of departure are payable in full at the time of booking. Your written confirmation shows the exact amounts and the dates they fall due.

A moderate amount, on stone paving and sloping medieval streets, with steps inside the palazzo. Siena is built across ridges, so the walk between sights is rarely flat. Comfortable shoes make the difference; there is nothing strenuous beyond that.

Yes, with reduced bands for under 5 and for 5 to 12, based on the child's age at the departure date. The cabins are small and the day in Siena is culture-led, so the journey suits older children better. Please speak to us first if you are travelling as a family.

Usually, but the kitchen is compact and menus are planned per departure, so tell us about any allergy, intolerance or dietary preference at the time of booking. We will pass it on in advance so the chef can prepare an alternative rather than improvise on the night.

One small case each is enough for a single night, as cabin storage is limited. Bring smart-casual clothes for the Restaurant Car and the Bar Car in the evening, and comfortable shoes for Siena's steep stone streets. A light jacket is useful for autumn evenings.

Most guests do, since the journey runs one way between two cities that each reward several days. Travel to the departure city and from the arrival city is not included, so building in a night or two at each end also protects you against flight delays. We can book both.

Email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610, where a travel specialist or our AI assistant will help. The departure shown on this page is bookable directly, and we can add hotels and transfers in Venice or Rome.