If you are looking to do something extraordinary this New Year’s Eve and start 2026 full steam ahead on a truly exceptional path, you will want to be among the lucky few aboard the train that redefines seamless transitions and luxury travel.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express invites travellers to leave predictable parties behind and embark on a unique three-day voyage. Designed to carry guests from one year into the next, it offers unparalleled luxury, refined dining, and comfortable sleeping, as well as the finest Tuscan reds. All the while, Italy’s legendary landscapes will glide past the window.
The aptly named Whispers at Midnight route promises to whisk travellers away while keeping them fully present, moving constantly through landscapes, cities, and canals.
The round trip departs from Rome’s Ostiense station on 30 December, returning on 1 January 2026. La Dolce Vita describes the experience as a journey ‘through Italy, blending the romance of slow travel with the sparkle of celebration, offering unforgettable moments raising glasses to the New Year with music, style and merriment’.
Guests will have the opportunity to marvel at the enchanting sights of the Tuscan countryside before exploring the medieval streets of Montalcino at their own pace or with a guide.
This will be followed by a wine-tasting event at the 14th-century fortress of Montalcino, a prelude to the highlight of the day: an exclusive, private tour of Antinori’s Pian delle Vigne estate. There, guests will enjoy tasting the estate’s legendary Brunello wines, a flavour that will accompany them throughout the year.
This privileged visit includes a refined lunch in a noble Venetian residence, normally off-limits to the public.
The next stop will take travellers to a city often referred to as the most romantic in the world: Venice. Here, the rhythm of the rails will give way to the gentle motion of a gondola. Passengers will enjoy exclusive access to a concert in a former church and be invited to take part in a glass-blowing workshop. They will, it goes without saying, also have the opportunity to sample more exceptional Italian wines.
On New Year’s Eve, a spectacular gala dinner prepared by the legendary, three-Michelin-starred chef, Heinz Beck, will be served in the dining cars. The evening will then transform into a vibrant celebration featuring captivating ‘burlesque performances, live entertainment, and a lively DJ set’, which will have guests waltzing and dancing their way into 2026 while the train gently glides back to Rome, leaving them with unforgettable memories.
There are two accommodation categories on board: Deluxe Cabins and Suites. Deluxe cabins feature a fold-out sofa, a double bed, and ottomans, while suites offer a more spacious layout with a separate sleeping area, lounge, and dining table. The train has 12 carriages and can accommodate up to 62 guests in 31 cabins.
Unlike long-haul luxury trains, La Dolce Vita offers short one- to three-day itineraries across Italy, with routes through Tuscany, Venice, Portofino, Matera, and Sicily. Themed journeys include truffle hunting, vineyard tour, and the Palio, among others.
While the experience is undeniably unique, it is also reserved for those with a substantial budget, with prices for the New Year’s Eve journey starting at €8,880 per person.
Alternatively, travellers can enjoy multi-day rail journeys through Switzerland, such as winter itineraries featuring gala dinners in the Bernese Oberland, or the UK’s Belmond British Pullman, renowned for its Great Gatsby-themed trips.
