La Dolce Vita Orient Express & Timeless Italy

With evocative scenes of ancient cities and sparkling coastlines dotted with pastel-hued villages ahead, your journey through Italy begins today. As your plane arrives in Rome, join a private taxi for a drive through Central Italy to beautiful Sorrento - our base for three nights.

Sorrento is set in its own small bay within the wider Bay of Naples, perched on a natural terrace above dramatic cliffs that overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its narrow, cobbled streets are lined with Renaissance palaces and Romanesque churches, and the surrounding hillsides are rich with fragrant lemon orchards. The Tour Manager awaits our arrival at our five-star hotel here, and after checking in, we meet with the rest of our travel group for a welcome meeting and drink at the hotel before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Sorrento.

• Dinner

Stretching along the Gulf of Salerno, south of the Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most enchanting destinations in Italy and the focus of today's explorations. After transferring to Sorrento's Port by coach, we board our privately chartered boat for a cruise.

Our captain navigates through the turquoise waters, putting us in prime viewing positions as we approach Amalfi, the "Jewel of the Amalfi Coast." Built into a cliffside and brimming with candy-colored buildings, Amalfi has much to uncover during our free time. You could visit the beach or walk along the boardwalk to discover the local shops before we lunch at a local restaurant.

Reboarding our boat, we cruise toward Positano, where ancient buildings creep up the mountainside and labyrinthine streets reveal spectacular views. With time at leisure, you might wander along the harbor or find a scenic terrace on which to enjoy a limoncello.

We cruise back to Sorrento late this afternoon and have a free evening to dine locally, perhaps seeking out fresh Italian seafood at a restaurant overlooking the sea. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Lunch

One of the highlights of your vacation lies ahead this morning as a luxury motorcoach takes us up the Sorrentine Peninsula to Pompeii, a city buried by volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.

On arrival, we divide into two smaller groups to best experience the preserved remains of this once-thriving Roman metropolis. Alongside a knowledgeable guide, we take a deep dive into the history of Pompeii, wandering the incredibly intact streets to visit shops and impressive villas, as well as bathhouses, temples, restaurants and the world's oldest amphitheater. Our guides point out extraordinary frescoes on the buildings and connect us with the history of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Following the tour, there is some free time to enjoy another look at your own pace or find lunch locally, as there are numerous eateries within walking distance. Our luxury coach takes us back to Sorrento this afternoon, where you can spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening relaxing at the hotel or exploring the town center's offerings. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast

Today, we return to Rome by rail, with our luggage traveling ahead and waiting at our hotel, the luxurious Orient Express La Minerva, this afternoon. After breakfast, a coach transfer takes us to Naples' railway station, and we take our First Class seats for the journey inland to Rome.

We are transferred to our hotel to check in for the night and then set out into the ancient capital city for a sightseeing tour. Our route reveals the many layers of Rome's story, dating back to 753 B.C., and takes us to some of its most notable attractions, including the Colosseum, Italy's most renowned classical site. Our guide escorts us inside this ancient amphitheater, where we can see the seats where Roman citizens gathered and the arena where gladiators competed.

Following our tour, you can continue the day at leisure, perhaps getting a better look at other landmarks, such as the Roman Forum or the Spanish Steps, or exploring the city's renowned cuisine in a local restaurant. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

Today brings the pinnacle of our trip as we transfer to Rome's station, where La Dolce Vita Orient Express awaits. We can enjoy a drink in the La Dolce Vita Lounge before saying farewell to our Tour Manager and being welcomed aboard the train and shown to our private cabins by uniformed stewards.

Upon settling in, a gourmet lunch, prepared by 3-Michelin-Starred Chef Heinz Beck, is served in the elegant Restaurant Car as our train begins its journey toward the Ligurian Coast.

Stationing in Santa Margherita Ligure, we join a short transfer to the picturesque city of Portofino - a crowning jewel of the Italian Riviera. Preserved buildings frame the winding cobbled streets, with the Piazza Martiri dell' Olivetta at the heart of it all. You might like to spend your free time visiting the harbor or the 12th-century Church of San Giorgio, or book an optional excursion with La Dolce Vita Orient Express, payable onboard.

Reboarding after an afternoon of exploration, be swept away by a night of live music and delectable cuisine onboard the train. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking to the gentle rhythm of La Dolce Vita Orient Express, make your way to the Restaurant Car for an authentic Italian breakfast, artfully crafted with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, as we near the Adriatic Sea.

Spread over more than 100 islands in the Venetian Lagoon, Venice is our destination today. On arrival, a luxury water taxi provides an unforgettable introduction to the city as we sail along the Grand Canal, with ancient architecture enveloping us. Your day is free to delve deeper into the rich history of this 1,600-year-old metropolis upon docking.

In the city's heart, St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace are among Venice's most iconic sights. Perhaps set out from here to cross the Rialto Bridge, or stroll along the side streets in search of Venetian masks or fresh local seafood. You could set out into Venice's other canals by boat or gondola, floating through the city at leisure or visiting islands like Murano or Lido.

Returning to our train by water taxi in the afternoon, don your finest for our elegant evening onboard. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A delicious breakfast of flaky Italian pastries, sweet jams, regional cheeses and cured meats invites you to indulge during your final morning on La Dolce Vita. Sit back and savor an espresso and the atmosphere as magnificent scenery unfolds during the approach to Florence.

Tuscany's capital city is hailed as the "Cradle of the Renaissance," and all its history is yours to explore at leisure today. Should you wish to visit one of the city's famous museums, such as the Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia Gallery, booking ahead is recommended.

Elsewhere in Florence, you could wander through the charming streets, perhaps visiting the Piazza del Duomo to see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or walking across the iconic Ponte Vecchio. Alternatively, grab a seat in a bustling piazza and have a glass of Tuscan wine while soaking up the enchanting atmosphere.

We rejoin the La Vita Orient Express in late afternoon for the final leg of this unforgettable rail journey, returning to Rome for two more nights at the opulent Orient Express La Minerva. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

We begin our day with a heady dose of serenity and awe as an early-morning transfer takes us to the gates of Vatican City, where the Clavigero, or keeper of the keys, greets us. This role is sacred, holding the doors to all of the history of Vatican City.

We join him and his team in awakening this breathtaking pilgrimage site, from the Vatican Museums to the Sistine Chapel. This exclusive look at Vatican City allows us to fully appreciate the magnitude and tranquility of the buildings, while also offering moments of peaceful reflection without the crowds.

After the gates officially open for the day, we return to Rome with the remainder of the morning and afternoon at leisure. Spend time sampling your way through Rome's iconic cuisine, enjoying gelato in a beautiful piazza or savoring carbonara in a tucked-away restaurant, or seek out the sites you missed during our first day in Rome.

This evening, we celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime journey with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast, Dinner

An itinerary of cities awash in old-world ambiance and majestic scenery, this journey presented Italy's most captivating angles in unmatched elegance. From our five-star hotel bases in Sorrento and Rome, we explored the past while visiting historic sites, including Pompeii, the Colosseum and Vatican City, and enjoyed time to soak up the beauty at our own pace.

Stepping aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, we entered a time capsule of old-world luxury and high-class service as we traveled toward Positano on the picture-postcard Italian Riviera, the city of Venice and timeless Florence, surrounded by rolling Tuscan landscapes.

Your trip comes to a close this morning with breakfast and a private taxi transfer to Rome's airport for your onward travels home.

• Breakfast