Leaving Rome in the evening, the train travels north towards Venice, long considered the symbolic gateway between worlds. Guests can spend a full day exploring the city’s palaces, canals and artistic treasures before continuing eastwards to Budapest, cultural heart of nineteenth-century Central Europe. The journey  unfolds through the dramatic scenery of the Carpathian Mountains, stopping in Brașov and Sinaia, where medieval towns, natural landscapes and aristocratic architecture evoke the timeless charm of Europe’s grand past. The final stretch of the route heralds a historic threshold, the passage into Türkiye, culminating in a grand arrival in Istanbul, a city poised between continents, cultures and centuries.
 
In the 19th century, the railway stood as a symbol of technological progress and geopolitical connection and in 2026 the Rome-Istanbul route asserts itself as a philosophical statement, an invitation to rediscover the value of time, contemplation and the pleasure of the journey itself.

Aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the myth is reimagined through the lens of Italian excellence. From interiors inspired by the eclectic elegance of 1960s Italy, to a refined culinary experience conceived by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, every detail celebrates craftsmanship, culture and contemporary luxury.
 
This inaugural international route establishes a new cultural axis across Europe, a journey where heritage meets modernity, and where the spirit of the Orient Express is reborn through the unmistakable Italian art de vivre.  

Corsican Places invites adventure enthusiasts to embark on a journey through Corsica's landscapes with its 2024 walking holidays, now on sale. There is a choice of eight self-guided itineraries, from moderate leisurely strolls to one of Europe's most challenging treks, allowing customers to immerse themselves in some of Corsica's most breath taking scenery and bucket-list adventures.

With over 36 years  expertise, Corsican Places collaborates directly with local walking providers, ensuring variety and some of the island's best walking. Marked trails guarantee diverse experiences, the operator's specialist sales team provide personalised advice, while its local provider offers 24/7 on-the-ground support.
Tours include:
Corsica Island Mystery Tour: A seven-night holiday combining four days self-guided walking at moderate level along footpaths and trails of Corsica's north-west. Providing the perfect contrast between coastal scenery and rugged mountains, pine forests, rivers and waterfalls with natural rock pools, the tour includes character accommodation and traditional food, with an optional fifth day of walking for those keen to explore more. After arriving at Calvi airport, customers are transferred to the nearby train station for the short journey to Corte, once Corsica's capital and where the walking begins.  Luggage transfers are included between hotels enroute. Weekend departures are available between May and September, with packages from £1745 pp (two sharing). Price includes flights, accommodation, transfers, map and route notes.
The GR20
For experienced hikers, the legendary GR20 trek is a must. Corsican Places offers 14-night packages tackling 13 of the full 16 GR20 sections, as well as seven-night tours and six-day treks through challenging sections of GR20 North or GR20 South.
Sample tour: GR20 North: A seven-night bucket-list adventure for seasoned hikers, featuring six days strenuous self-guided walking along one of Europe's most challenging treks. Prices from £1770pp, including flights, accommodation (options include camping and shepherds' cabins), meals and luggage transfers. For bookings and more information, visit Corsica.co.uk or call 01489 866931.
(image (c)  Corsican Places via Travmedia)
I have no personal experience of these tours, just sharing press news

Introducing Billnäs Gård,  a design-led hospitality concept just an hour away  from Helsinki. It operates as part wellbeing-focused boutique hotel and part private hire and retreat space throughout the year. Sited on the Svartå River in the heart of the ancient Billnäs ironworks and surrounded by all things natural  the Mediterranean-style property offers a blend of wellness, creative and adventure pursuits enveloped in bespoke, modern luxury. 

Taina Snellman-Langenskiöld and Chris Langenskiöld are the people behind this new concept. Taina, a design-thinking entrepreneur, is responsible for the interior and garden design which reflect a blend of Finnish sustainable design principles and diverse influences. Billnäs Gård has been a dream project for Taina since the renovation of the property began in 2021.  The programme of holistic experiences devised by Chris provides guests with support to slow down, reconnect with themselves and enhance their wellbeing. The aim is for guests to  leave this holistic space feeling better equipped to face the challenges of daily life. 

Whether booked as a private family rental, for a  corporate event or filled with solo travellers, couples and friends enjoying celebratory getaways, guests can explore the surrounding pine forest and benefit from a programme of optional, rejuvenating activities designed to realign them with themselves and nature.
The property
Dating back to 1912, the property features six bookable guest rooms each with  private bathroom, accommodating up to 12 guests in all. In summer, guests can spend the night in a  riverside cabin offering a more private, rustic experience. There is a heated saltwater pool in the garden providing a picturesque setting for relaxation and rejuvenation and a subterranean spa/meditation space features soft heated concrete benches,  sauna and herbal bathtub housed within a candlelit historical structure - all vibrating as a binaural healing soundscape.

Staff remain on site whether the property's multiple common spaces are being used for private parties  or larger scale meetings, events and celebrations. Billnäs Gård is also available for private hire upon request with or without a curated holistic wellness programme.

Design
At Billnäs Gård, guests can expect a harmonious blend of sustainable Finnish design principles in natural colour schemes and materials. Vintage and second-hand pieces are complemented with modern furniture classics. William Morris wallpapers juxtapose Alvar Aalto design icons, while locally woven rugs and fabrics lend a soft feel.  Bedroom mattresses are handmade in Finland from natural materials such as local wool.