Latest news with #PaoloBarletta
The Guardian
05-04-2025
- The Guardian
‘Eat, sleep and party': a taste of La Dolce Vita aboard Italy's Orient Express
A replica of the world-famous Orient Express made its debut journey from Rome on Friday, transporting well-heeled passengers into the heart of Tuscany's wine region. La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the first Italian-made luxury train, is aimed at reviving the glamour of the classic version as well as the romanticised notion of Italy's dolce vita, or 'sweet life', all the while promoting slow tourism. The train, the first of a fleet of six, is made up of 12 refurbished carriages that once chugged along Italian rail tracks in the 1960s and which have been decked out with 18 suites, 12 deluxe cabins, a bar, a lounge and a restaurant serving haute cuisine by the Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck. A collaboration between Orient Express; Arsenale, an Italian hospitality company; and Italy's state railways, Ferrovie dello Stato, the maiden voyage, which involves an overnight route called 'tastes of Tuscan vineyards', left Rome's Ostiense station at about midday. Rather than having to mingle with longsuffering commuters, deal with any delays or make do with an espresso and a soggy sandwich from the station's bar, passengers began their experience in the opulent Dolce Vita lounge, strategically located on the station platform from where their train departed. The itinerary is one of eight that collectively cover 14 Italian regions, from Veneto and Liguria in the north to Basilicata and Sicily in the south. On Friday afternoon passengers travelled along the coast, passing the seaside towns of Santa Severa and Santa Marinella before gliding through the countryside of Tuscan, where by early evening they could sip locally made Brunello wine as part of the aperitivo. As an option, they could disembark and be taken to the hilltop town of Montalcino before returning to the Dolce Vita for their evening meal and entertainment. The train, which also passes through Florence and Pisa, completes its loop back to Rome on Saturday morning. 'You eat, you sleep, and you party on board,' said Paolo Barletta, who dreamed up the idea for an experience that combines slow tourism with Italy's landscape and its diverse regional cuisine. 'It's kind of like the experience of a cruise ship, but instead of being a boat cruise it's a rail cruise.' The first trip sold out, with 38 passengers partaking. Trips are also fully booked for the rest of April and most of May, with itineraries involving Venice, Portofino, Matera, the Unesco-listed town in Basilicata known for its ancient cave dwellings, and Sicily. On a trip scheduled in November, passengers can explore the Monferrato truffle region in Piedmont, while tasting said truffles and drinking barolo wine. The vast majority of those who have booked so far are Americans, followed by Europeans and visitors from the Middle East. Needless to say, a voyage on the Dolce Vita does not come cheap, with prices starting at €3,500 (£2,982). By comparison, a one-way trip from Rome to Pisa, on a standard Italian fast train will cost about €45 (£38), even cheaper if you book early. For those wanting to replicate the Dolce Vita feeling, the onboard bar sells half-bottles of prosecco for €12 (£10). Barletta said the Dolce Vita experience is not just the preserve of the super-rich. 'A lot of people are booking for the one-time experience,' he said. 'Perhaps they are retired and want to spend some of their retirement savings doing something special, or it is an anniversary or they are celebrating a wedding. It's not only about experiencing the train … people really want to see Italy, and in a slow, relaxed way. The Dolce Vita won't just take them to famous places like Venice, but also areas that are less well-known, for example Abruzzo.'
CairoScene
06-02-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi Arabia Unveils Designs Behind Luxury ‘Dream of The Desert' Train
This 5-star luxury train will allow passengers to experience 13 carriages of class through the Kingdom. 'Dream of The Desert,' is a luxury train in collaboration with Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) and Arsenale, an Italian hospitality company. Designers give us our first glimpse one year after the agreement was initially signed. The unveiling also coincided with the Prime Minister of Italy's visit to the Kingdom on Sunday. Designers claim to have woven in Saudi Arabia's identity through the train's design, allowing passengers to enjoy traditional majlis seating in the reception area, curated art and photographs on the train's corridors, and getting provided a modern traditional meal curated by both top local and international chefs. Officials say this project is also in alignment with Saudi vision 2030 of expanding high end luxury tourism and 'strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a global logistics hub,' Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of SAR Eng., Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said. The train consists of 13 carriages and 34 suites. The luxury ride departs from Riyadh and heads north across SAR's Northern Railway network, allowing passengers to explore some of Saudi Arabia's natural sites. The Desert Dream is expected to begin operation in the third quarter of 2026 'with booking details and exclusive packages to be announced soon on the official website,' CEO of Arsenale Group Paolo Barletta said.
CairoScene
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Inside Saudi Arabia's First Luxury Train ‘Dream of the Desert'
In this SceneTraveller exclusive, we sit down with the Italian CEO of Arsenale, Paolo Barletta, as he unveils the story behind the luxury train's anticipated arrival in the Kingdom. A joint venture between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Arsenale, the luxury hospitality group behind Orient Express La Dolce Vita and the Orient Express Hotels, Saudi Arabia's eagerly-awaited 'Dream of the Desert' will be the region's very first five-star luxury train experience. In this SceneTraveller exclusive, we sit down with the Italian CEO of Arsenale, Paolo Barletta, as he unveils the story behind the luxury train's anticipated arrival in the Kingdom. Set to launch in the fall of 2026, 'Dream of the Desert' will take travellers on an enchanting 1,300-kilometer excursion, starting in the capital city of Riyadh and culminating near the Jordanian border in Al Qurayyat. Guests aboard this 'cruise on rails' will be invited to immerse themselves in the pristine desertscape of the Kingdom through curated cultural programmes and yet-to-be-revealed travel itineraries that will include stopovers in destinations like Al Qassim, Hail, and Al Jouf. Across the train's 13 carriages and 34 suites, local and global artists will showcase contemporary artworks that weave in elements from iconic destinations such as AlUla, as well as all the corners of the Kingdom that have yet to get their time in the spotlight. From the traditional majlis in the reception area to the historical photographs in the train's corridors—'Dream of the Desert' is set to become a true snapshot of Saudi, with a generous sprinkle of the sumptuousness Italian hospitality is famed for. As for Arsenale's next regional venture, the group is launching a dream railway experience by the name of 'Land of the Pharaohs', which will take travellers on a breathtakingly cultural voyage from Cairo all the way to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simb
CNN
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The Middle East's first super-luxury train will gleam gold
It's the train set to whisk people across the largest country in the Middle East — and to do so in style, according to the designs that have just been released. Saudi Arabia's Dream of the Desert train, which is slated to hit the rails next year, is set to be the region's first five-star luxury train, and the first renderings for the 14 carriages have finally been unveiled. A joint project between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Arsenale S.p.A., the Italian luxury brand, the train is due to launch around fall 2026. It has been designed by Aline Asmar d'Amman, an architect and designer whose Culture in Architecture studio is based between Paris and Beirut. The idea is to amp up the luxury while referencing Saudi culture and heritage — including motifs from destinations like AlUla, Madain Saleh and Hail — within the design. The overall tone is suitably sandy, with golds, beiges and darker tones coupled with chrome fittings reflecting the desert views outside. Reception lounges have been given the feel of a majlis — the room in a Saudi home where guests are welcomed — and include geometric patterns and hand-carved wooden elements. Bedrooms, meanwhile, have a richer feel, with a hint of Art Deco styling in the emerald-colored sofas, headboards and drapes, as well as the clean lines and wood-paneled walls. The attention to detail extends to the public areas. Artworks and photographs of Saudi cultural sites will adorn the corridors, while the train exterior will be a burnished chrome with accents of violet. The train will have 34 suites across 14 carriages, while the restaurant menu will be curated by 'local and international chefs,' according to the press release accompanying the renderings. The route will go from Riyadh across SAR's Northern Railway network. In a partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture there will be 'curated cultural programs' for guests as well as 'unique tourism itineraries that integrate seamlessly with the train journey' — though no details have yet been revealed. SAR previously said in a press release that the Dream of the Desert will operate 'luxury train cruise' journeys from the capital city of Riyadh to Qurayyat, which is situated close to the northern border with Jordan. The 1,300-kilometer route will take in the country's desert landscapes, and stop at the city of Hail on one- and two-night trips. Calling it 'an unparalleled travel experience,' Paolo Barletta, Arsenale Group's CEO, said in a statement that the train will be a 'fully immersive experience.' Dream of the Desert is currently slated to debut at the end of the third quarter of 2026. In the mean time, a sibling train, Dolce Vita Orient Express, will debut in Italy in April. CNN's Tamara Hardingham-Gill contributed to this report
CNN
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The Middle East's first super-luxury train will gleam gold
It's the train set to whisk people across the largest country in the Middle East — and to do so in style, according to the designs that have just been released. Saudi Arabia's Dream of the Desert train, which is slated to hit the rails next year, is set to be the region's first five-star luxury train, and the first renderings for the 14 carriages have finally been unveiled. A joint project between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Arsenale S.p.A., the Italian luxury brand, the train is due to launch around fall 2026. It has been designed by Aline Asmar d'Amman, an architect and designer whose Culture in Architecture studio is based between Paris and Beirut. The idea is to amp up the luxury while referencing Saudi culture and heritage — including motifs from destinations like AlUla, Madain Saleh and Hail — within the design. The overall tone is suitably sandy, with golds, beiges and darker tones coupled with chrome fittings reflecting the desert views outside. Reception lounges have been given the feel of a majlis — the room in a Saudi home where guests are welcomed — and include geometric patterns and hand-carved wooden elements. Bedrooms, meanwhile, have a richer feel, with a hint of Art Deco styling in the emerald-colored sofas, headboards and drapes, as well as the clean lines and wood-paneled walls. The attention to detail extends to the public areas. Artworks and photographs of Saudi cultural sites will adorn the corridors, while the train exterior will be a burnished chrome with accents of violet. The train will have 34 suites across 14 carriages, while the restaurant menu will be curated by 'local and international chefs,' according to the press release accompanying the renderings. The route will go from Riyadh across SAR's Northern Railway network. In a partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture there will be 'curated cultural programs' for guests as well as 'unique tourism itineraries that integrate seamlessly with the train journey' — though no details have yet been revealed. SAR previously said in a press release that the Dream of the Desert will operate 'luxury train cruise' journeys from the capital city of Riyadh to Qurayyat, which is situated close to the northern border with Jordan. The 1,300-kilometer route will take in the country's desert landscapes, and stop at the city of Hail on one- and two-night trips. Calling it 'an unparalleled travel experience,' Paolo Barletta, Arsenale Group's CEO, said in a statement that the train will be a 'fully immersive experience.' Dream of the Desert is currently slated to debut at the end of the third quarter of 2026. In the mean time, a sibling train, Dolce Vita Orient Express, will debut in Italy in April. CNN's Tamara Hardingham-Gill contributed to this report
