La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Italy's Luxury Train

BY PAOLO BARLETTA , CEO AT ARSENALE SPA ,  the company behind the ‘La Dolce Vita Orient Express’ project

La Dolce Vita Orient Express was born from a visionary collaboration between Arsenale and Orient Express. Arsenale was the driving force behind the project,  conceiving the idea and putting the train on the rails, with everything that  such a huge undertaking entails. Meanwhile, Orient Express is responsible for managing the brand, providing its signature allure and prestige, thanks in large part to the iconic status associated with its name. The invaluable support of Trenitalia-Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato, Fondazione FS and Treni Turistici Italiani is also worth mentioning.

Why shouldn’t Italy have its own luxury train experience - one that stands alongside the finest in the world? This simple  but powerful question was the inspiration behind the La Dolce Vita Orient Express project. That question sparked a vision that I believed in deeply: a vision of creating not just a train but a journey that embodies the very soul of Italy.  

At Arsenale, we see ourselves as ambassadors for Italian identity. Our mission is not simply to build luxury trains or luxury hotels but to export a uniquely Italian model of hospitality - one that balances  timeless elegance with forward-thinking design and a deep sense of place.  

Each project we undertake is rooted in Italian craftsmanship, aesthetics, and cultural sensibility but reinterpreted to speak to  a global audience that values authenticity and meaning in their experiences. 

‘Made in Italy’ is not only our signature; it also signifies our responsibility to bring the best of Italy to the world, in a way that is both innovative and true to its essence. And La Dolce Vita Orient Express is the very embodiment of this approach.  

Through this project, we wanted to offer travellers the chance to  see Italy differently, through not only its famous cities but also  its lesser-known regions, which offer just as much beauty and  cultural depth.  

Our vision for high-end travel has always been rooted in story and emotion. Luxury today is not only about comfort. It’s about meaning. It’s about personalisation, memory, and a sense of  place. With La Dolce Vita Orient Express, we are not just providing  transportation. We are curating experiences. Every carriage, every  route, every detail has been designed to let travellers live the  journey as if it were the destination itself.  

We created this train with a clear purpose: to restore the value of time, to give travellers an opportunity to rediscover what it means  to move through a place, not just past it.  

The idea is simple but powerful: when  you slow down, everything becomes more meaningful. Conversations unfold differently. Meals taste better. Scenery becomes part of the memory. In that sense, the journey doesn’t just take you somewhere: it is somewhere. 

For us, ‘intentional travel’ means rejecting the rush and embracing a slower, more conscious rhythm. It means choosing to immerse yourself fully in the path, not just the endpoint. That’s what La Dolce Vita represents: a return to purposeful, emotional, and unforgettable travel.  

This project is our tribute to Italian heritage and our way of projecting it into the future – with pride, with creativity, and with the unmistakable charm that only Italy can offer.  

Trains have always done more than move people from one place to another. They have connected countries, cultures, and communities, transporting ideas, stories, and emotions across landscapes. And in an age where speed often comes at the cost of depth, I saw an opportunity to bring back the value of slowness. La Dolce Vita is not just a name; it’s a mindset. It reflects a timeless Italian way of living, rich with elegance, authenticity, and joy.  

Travelling by train gives me the rare chance to slow down and reconnect with perspective. It offers a window into landscapes, and often into your own thoughts. There’s a rhythm to it that’s both physical and mental – similar to the game of golf, actually. It’s quiet, strategic, and reflective.

That’s where inspiration often comes from.