Rail & Sail: Italy and Croatia With Orient Express

Day 1: Dubrovnik | Embarkation on the Orient Express Corinthian

Departing August 23rd 2026

Your journey begins in the honey-stoned magnificence of Dubrovnik, where medieval ramparts tumble dramatically into the Adriatic. After a private transfer to the marina, step aboard the new Orient Express Sailing Yacht, an experience that reimagines golden-age travel for the modern era. As the yacht slips quietly from harbour at sunset, champagne is poured on deck and the Dalmatian coastline glows amber beneath the evening light. Dinner is an elegant affair beneath the stars, where Michelin-level cuisine and the gentle rhythm of the sea set the tone for the days ahead.

Day 2: Hvar | Lavender Hills & Adriatic Ease

Morning arrives with the yacht anchored off Hvar, Croatia’s most glamorous island escape. Spend the day wandering through polished stone alleyways and lively Venetian squares before climbing to the hilltop fortress for panoramic views across the Pakleni Islands. There is time for a leisurely seafood lunch by the water, an afternoon swim in crystalline coves, or perhaps simply a long, languid aperitivo as yachts drift lazily through the harbour. Back onboard, dinner unfolds in signature Orient Express style, white linen, candlelight and impeccable service, before the yacht sails north through the Adriatic night.

Day 3:  Rovinj & Istria | Truffles, Wine & Venetian Elegance

Awake in Rovinj, one of the Adriatic’s most enchanting hidden corners. With its pastel façades, bell towers and polished cobbled streets, Rovinj feels wonderfully suspended between Italy and Croatia. Today is devoted to the pleasures of Istria, perhaps a private truffle-hunting experience in the forested interior, followed by wine tastings among hillside vineyards, or a slow exploration of Rovinj itself, where art galleries and cafés spill onto marble streets. As evening falls, return to the yacht for one final dinner at sea while the Venetian lagoon slowly approaches.

Day 4: Venice | Arrival into La Serenissima

This morning, sail triumphantly into Venice, one of the world’s great arrivals. Domes, bell towers and faded palazzi emerge through the morning mist as the yacht glides toward the lagoon. Disembark and transfer privately to The Gritti Palace, the city’s most storied grand hotel, occupying a privileged position directly on the Grand Canal. The remainder of the day is yours to settle into Venetian life: perhaps a Bellini at Harry’s Bar, a private gondola through quiet canals, or simply watching the city drift by from your terrace overlooking Santa Maria della Salute.

Day 4: Venice | Arrival into La Serenissima

This morning, sail triumphantly into Venice, one of the world’s great arrivals. Domes, bell towers and faded palazzi emerge through the morning mist as the yacht glides toward the lagoon. Disembark and transfer privately to The Gritti Palace, the city’s most storied grand hotel, occupying a privileged position directly on the Grand Canal. The remainder of the day is yours to settle into Venetian life: perhaps a Bellini at Harry’s Bar, a private gondola through quiet canals, or simply watching the city drift by from your terrace overlooking Santa Maria della Salute.

Day 5: Venice | Behind Closed Doors

Today reveals Venice at its most intimate and atmospheric. With a private guide, discover hidden courtyards, artisan workshops and lesser-known churches far from the crowds. You may wish to arrange exclusive access to a palazzo on the Grand Canal, a private Murano glassblowing demonstration, or an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica, where golden mosaics shimmer in near silence. Return to The Gritti Palace for sunset cocktails overlooking the lagoon before dinner at Club del Doge or one of Venice’s atmospheric Michelin-starred restaurants.

Day 6: Venice | A Day at Leisure

Your final full day in Venice is deliberately unhurried. Browse antique shops and galleries in Dorsoduro, take a private boat to Burano and Torcello, or simply embrace the art of doing very little at all. As evening descends, Venice becomes quieter, softer and infinitely more romantic. A final candlelit dinner beside the canals feels like the perfect pause before the next chapter of your journey.

Day 7: Venice to Tuscany | La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Departing August 29th 2026

This evening, a private transfer escorts you to Santa Lucia Station where the gleaming carriages of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express await. A Venetian water taxi delivers you directly to the platform, a wonderfully cinematic departure. At 6:30pm, the train eases away from Venice and into the Italian countryside. Interiors inspired by 1960s Italian glamour evoke the romance of Fellini-era travel: polished brass, velvet banquettes and softly glowing lamps. Dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck is served in the elegant restaurant car, followed by cocktails and live music in the lounge as the train glides south through the night.

Day 8: Siena & Rome | Through the Soul of Italy

Wake to rolling Tuscan hills framed by your cabin window as breakfast is served onboard. By morning, you arrive in the medieval beauty of Siena. Spend the day wandering through ochre-hued streets and sunlit piazzas, discovering Gothic palaces, artisan boutiques and hidden trattorie. Lunch showcases the rich flavours of Tuscany, truffles, pecorino, Brunello and handmade pasta, before reboarding the train for the final journey south. As dusk settles, arrival into Rome feels wonderfully theatrical: a grand finale to a journey defined by elegance, slow travel and the enduring glamour of the Mediterranean.

Day 9: Rome | Departure

Spend your final morning soaking up the timeless beauty of Rome. Rise early for a quiet stroll through the cobbled streets around Piazza di Spagna, enjoy espresso on a sunlit terrace, or take in one last view across the terracotta rooftops of the Eternal City. Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for a private guided visit to the Vatican Museums or the Borghese Gallery before your private transfer to the airport. A fitting conclusion to an extraordinary journey through the Adriatic and Italy, where every arrival felt cinematic, and every detail quietly indulgent.