Orient Express is reviving the spirit of the 18th-century Grand Tour with a new collection of six integrated itineraries for summer 2026. The Grand Italian Tours combine luxury rail aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, stays at the newly restored Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Venezia in Venice’s Cannaregio district, and cruising on the sailing yacht Orient Express Corinthian. The programme runs from 19 July to 20 September 2026, with routes spanning Venice to the French Riviera, Rome to Valletta, and Dubrovnik to Marseille.
Three Modes, One Seamless Experience
Each Grand Italian Tour incorporates at least two of three signature travel modes. On rail, guests ride the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, featuring richly designed carriages and fine dining by three-Michelin-star chef Heinz Beck, accompanied by live music after dinner. On land, the newly opened Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Venezia in Venice offer restored palazzi that blend heritage architecture with contemporary Italian design. At sea, the sailing yacht Orient Express Corinthian glides along sun-drenched coasts between Italy, the French Riviera, Malta, and Croatia. Transitions between train, yacht, and hotel are treated as part of the journey, not logistical hurdles, echoing the deliberate pace of the original Grand Tours.
Six Itineraries Across the Mediterranean
The six itineraries share common elements: routes tying together Venice, the Ligurian and French Rivieras, Rome, Capri and the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Malta, Istria, Dubrovnik, and Marseille. Each tour includes at least one signature land-based experience, such as a private tasting or cultural visit. Additional à-la-carte experiences—vineyard visits, contemporary art encounters, private boat trips—can be added on request. Transfers between hotels, stations, and ports are included, so guests follow the itinerary without managing logistics.
Inclusions and Optional Upgrades
The Grand Italian Tours are pitched as fully curated, high-touch journeys with clear boundaries between what’s included and what’s optional. On the sailing yacht Orient Express Corinthian, all meals, a selection of wines and beverages, access to shared facilities and lounges, and one exclusive land-based experience per itinerary are included. On La Dolce Vita Orient Express, gourmet cuisine by Heinz Beck, a curated selection of beverages, and live music after dinner are covered. Additional charges apply for La Table by Yannick Alléno (the gastronomic restaurant on the yacht), spa treatments, premium à-la-carte wines and spirits, and optional excursions beyond the one included experience.
This launch comes as luxury travel operators expand integrated multi-modal offerings. For context, Explora II has unveiled off-peak Mediterranean itineraries for winter 2026–27, and MSC Cruises has introduced an all-inclusive summer 2026 package with transparent pricing and protected fly & cruise. Orient Express’s Grand Italian Tours target the high-end segment seeking curated, slow travel across multiple modes.
For travel professionals, the collection offers a new product for clients seeking immersive, multi-destination experiences without the hassle of independent logistics. The combination of rail, hotel, and yacht under one brand simplifies booking and ensures consistent quality. With departures limited to summer 2026, early booking is advisable for agents and operators.
