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railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Le Grand Tour

5-day luxury train circuit of Italy from Rome to Palermo

Illustration of La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Le Grand Tour

Le Grand Tour is a 5-day rail journey operated by Railtour Suisse aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, a luxury train-hotel that carries passengers the length of Italy. The trip starts in Rome and ends in Palermo, with the train itself serving as accommodation for four consecutive nights as it calls at Venice, Matera, and Taormina along the way. Each day brings a new stop rather than a new mode of transport, so the pace is set by the train's schedule rather than by coach transfers or flights. The itinerary moves from Venice's canals to the cave dwellings of Matera, the Sicilian coast at Taormina, and the city of Palermo, before returning to Rome. This suits travellers who want an immersive train experience and are comfortable with a premium price point, rather than those looking to spend extended time exploring any single city on foot.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence describes the overall route and overnight stops but gives no detail on meals, cabin categories, or included excursions at each stop; confirm inclusions with Railtour Suisse before booking.
  • The price of CHF 15,400 per person is a from-price for a 5-day, 4-night journey; it is not broken down by cabin type in the evidence.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: La Dolce Vita Orient Express

    Rome - Venice

  2. Day 2overnight: La Dolce Vita Orient Express

    Matera

  3. Day 3overnight: La Dolce Vita Orient Express

    Taormina

  4. Day 4overnight: La Dolce Vita Orient Express

    Palermo

  5. Day 5

    Rome

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The train departs Rome for Venice, the first of four nights spent aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
  • Day 2The train continues to Matera, known for its ancient cave dwellings.
  • Day 3The journey reaches Taormina on Sicily's coast.
  • Day 4The train arrives in Palermo before the return leg to Rome.

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From CHF 15,400 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $18,889 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?
Yes. The entire 5-day journey from Rome to Palermo and back to Rome is by rail aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train-hotel.
Do passengers sleep on the train?
Yes, the itinerary shows four consecutive overnights aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, from day 1 through day 4.
Which cities does the route visit?
The route runs from Rome to Venice, Matera, Taormina, and Palermo, then back to Rome.

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