The Italian Railway Cruise

Arrive in Rome and settle into the Eternal City, where ancient landmarks, elegant piazzas and rooftop terraces create the perfect beginning to this luxurious Italian journey. Spend the afternoon wandering through cobbled streets around the Pantheon, sipping aperitivos in sunlit squares or admiring the city’s layered history woven into every corner. Rome’s atmosphere effortlessly balances grandeur and romance, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Board the La Dolce Vita Orient Express at Rome Ostiense and step into a world inspired by the glamour of 1960s Italian travel. Designed with rich mid-century interiors and elegant Art Deco influences, the train transforms the journey itself into the experience. As the countryside unfolds beyond panoramic windows, enjoy refined dining curated by Michelin-starred chefs while travelling toward Venice through rolling hills, vineyards and historic cities.

Arrive in Venice and spend the day immersed in one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. Glide through canals by private gondola, wander hidden alleyways and admire centuries-old palazzos rising directly from the water. As evening falls, Venice glows beneath lantern-lit bridges and reflections shimmering across the canals. Late at night, reboard the train as it quietly departs toward the Ligurian coastline.

Wake to views of the Ligurian coastline as the train arrives near Portofino. Spend the day exploring this glamorous fishing village known for its pastel-coloured buildings, luxury yachts and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Wander along the harbour, enjoy seafood overlooking the sea or take a private boat excursion along the coastline where hidden coves and emerald waters define the Italian Riviera experience.

Arrive back in Rome and transfer to one of the city’s elegant boutique hotels tucked within historic neighbourhoods. The afternoon is yours to experience the city at a slower pace — perhaps through quiet café terraces, hidden churches or rooftop cocktails overlooking terracotta rooftops and ancient domes. Rome rewards wandering without a fixed agenda.

Transfer to the cruise port and board the Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing yacht and one of the most anticipated luxury vessels at sea. Combining contemporary elegance with the timeless glamour of the Orient Express name, the yacht introduces a new chapter of the journey as Italy’s coastline slowly disappears beyond the horizon.

Arrive in Naples, where energetic streets, historic architecture and southern Italian cuisine create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country. From here, explore the Amalfi Coast with its dramatic cliffside villages, winding coastal roads and sparkling Mediterranean waters. Long lunches overlooking the sea and leisurely afternoons beneath lemon groves define the rhythm of southern Italy.

Continue south toward Sicily, where ancient ruins, volcanic landscapes and coastal elegance create one of the Mediterranean’s most captivating destinations. Explore historic towns layered with Greek, Roman and Norman influences before returning to the yacht for evenings spent cruising beneath warm Mediterranean skies.

Sail onward to Malta, where fortified cities and honey-coloured architecture rise above the Mediterranean Sea. Explore Valletta’s grand streets, historic palaces and hidden courtyards before discovering quieter coves and coastal scenery surrounding the island. Malta’s layered history and warm atmosphere provide a striking finale to the voyage.

Spend the final full day aboard the Orient Express Corinthian enjoying the slower rhythm of life at sea. Relax on expansive decks, indulge in spa treatments or dine beneath the stars while crossing the Mediterranean. The combination of rail nostalgia and contemporary yacht elegance makes this journey feel uniquely cinematic from beginning to end.

Disembark and continue onward with memories of glamorous train journeys, candlelit dinners, Mediterranean coastlines and the timeless romance associated with the Orient Express name. From Rome and Venice to Portofino, Sicily and Malta, the journey blends Italy’s cultural richness with a rare style of slow luxury travel.