La Dolce Vita Orient Express · 5 days · 4 nights
The Grand Tour
Rome · Venice · Bari · Taormina · Palermo
La Dolce Vita Orient Express · 5 days, 4 nights
From Rome to Istanbul
Rome to Istanbul in five days, with a day each in Venice and Budapest and a Transylvanian day at Bran Castle and Peleș Castle.
- RomeDay 1
- VeniceDay 2
- BudapestDay 3
- BrașovDay 4
- BranDay 4
- SinaiaDay 4
- IstanbulDay 5
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration5 days
Nights4
RouteRome → Istanbul
Places visited7
From, per personEUR 20,000
Overview
This one-way crossing of Europe leaves Rome in the evening and spends full days in Venice and Budapest before winding through the Carpathians. A guided day in Transylvania takes in Bran Castle and Peleș Castle, and the La Dolce Vita Orient Express arrives in Istanbul on the fifth afternoon.
- A full day in Venice, reached by private water taxi
- A day in Budapest with its bridges and grand avenues
- Guided visit to Bran Castle, known as Dracula's Castle
- Peleș Castle at Sinaia in the Carpathian Mountains
- Arrival in Istanbul, the historic eastern terminus
- Dinners by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck
Day by day
Day 1RomeOn board
A private transfer takes you to the train's lounge at Rome Ostiense, which opens three hours before departure. The train leaves in the evening, and dinner is served in the Restaurant Car. Afterwards a pianist and vocalist play as you head north towards Venice.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2VeniceOn board
Local hosts meet you on the platform and take you by private water taxi into the heart of Venice. Spend the day freely or choose an optional experience, then return to the station in the late afternoon. Dinner and live music follow as the train turns east.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3BudapestOn board
Wake in Budapest, where hosts accompany you by private transfer into the city. Explore its bridges, squares and grand streets on your own or on an optional experience. Return in the late afternoon for dinner and live music as the journey continues east.
Meals: Dinner
Day 4Brașov, Bran and SinaiaOn board
The train climbs through the Carpathians to Brașov, where a private guide and transfer take you into Transylvania. You visit Bran Castle, famous as Dracula's Castle, then continue to Sinaia for the Neo-Renaissance Peleș Castle, with lunch along the way. Back on board, an aperitif precedes dinner and live music as the train heads for Istanbul.
Meals: Lunch · Dinner
Day 5Istanbul
A final lunch is served in the Restaurant Car as the train approaches Istanbul. You arrive in the afternoon, where local hosts welcome you and bid you farewell at the end of the journey.
Meals: Lunch
Where you spend each night
- Night 1On board
- Night 2On board
- Night 3On board
- Night 4On board
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Entry level
Deluxe Cabin
12 cabins · 7 m²
- Sofa converts to a 140 × 190 cm double bed
- Mirrored back wall and wood-slat ceiling
- Ensuite bathroom with shower
- Ottomans double as tables and stools
- In-room safe
Most popular
Suite
18 suites · 11 m²
- Set up as a master bedroom with a 140 × 190 cm bed
- Sofa plus table and two armchairs
- Ensuite bathroom with shower
- Larger luggage space
- Double or twin arrangement
One of a kind
La Dolce Vita Suite
1 suite · 30 m²
- Living and dining area, bedroom and walk-in wardrobe
- Bedroom bathtub plus a marble bathroom with double sinks
- Windows on both sides of the train
- Personal suite conductor and dedicated menu
- Private car transfers to and from the train
One Suite is specially adapted for guests with reduced mobility and is located close to the shared cars.
- Private transfer to the departure station
- Accommodation in your chosen Deluxe Cabin or Suite
- All meals on board as set out in the itinerary
- Selected wines and spirits, mineral water, soft drinks, tea and coffee
- Onboard entertainment, including live music in the Bar Car
- Transfers between the train and the town centre at each stop
- Use of the departure lounge at Rome Ostiense
- Private water taxi into Venice
- Private transfer into Budapest
- Guided day in Transylvania with Bran Castle and Peleș Castle
- Deposit
- 30% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 125 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Cabin Suite
October 22, 2026
EUR 27,200.00 pp dbl
October 20, 2027
EUR 29,400.00 pp dbl
October 22, 2026
EUR 46,240.00 pp sgl
October 20, 2027
EUR 52,920.00 pp sgl
Deluxe Cabin
October 22, 2026
EUR 20,000.00 pp dbl
October 20, 2027
EUR 20,000.00 pp dbl
October 22, 2026
EUR 34,000.00 pp sgl
October 20, 2027
EUR 34,000.00 pp sgl
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
How long is the journey from Rome to Istanbul?
It takes five days and four nights. The train leaves Rome in the evening and arrives in Istanbul in the afternoon of the fifth day.
Which cities do we visit along the way?
There is a full day in Venice, a day in Budapest, and a guided day in Transylvania from Brașov, taking in Bran Castle and Peleș Castle at Sinaia. The journey ends in Istanbul.
Is the Transylvania day guided?
Yes. At Brașov a private guide and transfer take you to Bran Castle and on to Sinaia for Peleș Castle, before you return to the train after lunch.
Do I need a passport and visas for this journey?
Yes. The route crosses several borders, so you need a passport with at least six months' validity and any visas required for your nationality. Please check entry rules for each country well before travel.
Is there a version of this journey in the other direction?
Yes. From Istanbul to Rome is a separate five-day journey that follows a different route through Bulgaria, Romania, Vienna and Venice.
How do I check prices and dates?
Fares depend on the departure and the cabin category you choose. Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.
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