Rome, Portofino & Venice with time on La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Begin your day immersed in the vibrant heart of Roman gastronomy with a guided walking tour through the city’s historic streets. Along the way, pause to enjoy the perfect espresso, a ritual as Roman as the Colosseum, before sampling a Maritozzo, a sweet cream-filled pastry beloved by locals as a traditional breakfast treat. As you wander, your guide introduces you to some of Italy's finest street food. This evening, the experience deepens with a curated wine tasting led by a local sommelier. In an intimate setting, explore Italy’s diverse wine regions through a thoughtfully paired menu, shared with a small group of fellow food and wine enthusiasts.

Today you will travel in style on the Dolce Vita Orient Express. You will be surrounded by vintage glamour and modern comfort. As the train glides out of Rome, make your way to the restaurant car, where a gourmet lunch awaits. From the Eternal City, the landscape unfolds — first the golden hills of Tuscany, then the shimmering Ligurian coastline. By early evening, the train arrives in Santa Margherita Ligure. You will be taken to Portofino, where you are free to explore. As night falls, return to the train for cocktails and live music in the bar car. With the rhythm of the rails beneath you and the Italian night outside your window, your first day concludes in perfect harmony.

As dawn breaks over northern Italy, begin your morning with breakfast served either in the comfort of your cabin or in the refined setting of the restaurant car. This final stretch aboard the La Dolce Vita is serene. Soon, the glint of water replaces land, and the train draws near the famed canals of Venice. Settle into your hotel and take time to absorb the city’s timeless charm at your own pace. Then, in the early afternoon, meet your private guide for a Baccaro and Cicchetti tour, wander through tucked-away wine bars, sampling cicchetti, the city’s beloved small dishes, each paired with a glass of local wine.

Explore Venice as it was meant to be seen, from the water by water taxi. This is a wonderful way to view the city’s major waterways from the Grand Canal, and St Mark’s Basin, through to the smaller canals that wind their way through the different districts of the city. This afternoon, visit Venice's Accademia Gallery, which houses an excellent collection of works by Venetian artists, spanning almost five centuries, starting with the Gothic and Byzantine eras and moving through the Renaissance to the famous landscape paintings of the 18th century. Within the collection, you’ll also find some wonderful gems by Titian, Bellini, Guardi, and Canaletto.

Today you will return home on your international flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.