La Dolce Vita Orient Express vs. the Venice Simplon Orient Express
"A newly relaunched luxury train inspired by 1960s Italian design with 12 carriages, a restaurant and bar, and 31 cabins accommodating up to 62 passengers. Even entry-level cabins include full bathrooms with showers and high-end bath products, while suites offer a large bed, separate sofa, and a sitting area; menus are crafted by three-Michelin-star chef Heinz Beck. Italian-focused itineraries run one to three nights and place strong emphasis on optional, paid excursions (such as winery visits), with pre-departure service from a chic lounge at Rome’s Ostiense Station and an onboard vibe that is elegant but slightly more casual—featuring Franciacorta sparkling wine and participatory live entertainment. One-night fares for a Deluxe Cabin start around $3,910 and typically include meals, a curated selection of wines, soft drinks and cocktails, and transfers to and from the Orient Express lounge at Rome’s Ostiense Station." - Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz is a writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure, her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest, Surface Magazine, Brooklyn Magazine, T Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country, Condé Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy" Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
