Words by Allegra Salvadori
At the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, a quiet moment of revelation drew the eyes of the global design and travel community: the unveiling of Dream of the Desert, the mock-up car of Saudi Arabia’s first ultra-luxury train. Presented by Italy’s Arsenale Group, the project signals not only a new chapter for the Kingdom’s tourism landscape, but the birth of a future design icon.
Set to launch at the end of 2026, Dream of the Desert is a collaboration between Arsenale S.p.A., Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, the Transport General Authority, the Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Tourism Authority. Together, they are crafting a contemporary expression of travel rooted in heritage, culture, and elegant restraint — an approach that aligns seamlessly with Vision 2030’s ambitions for world-class, culturally grounded tourism experiences.
A Journey Designed as a Place of Memory
The interiors, conceived by celebrated architect and designer Aline Asmar d’Amman, founder of Culture in Architecture, form the emotional and aesthetic core of Dream of the Desert. Her design is a study in crafted textures, reinterpreted weavings, carved wood elements and noble materials that echo Saudi Arabia’s architectural legacy while embracing Italian making at its most refined.
Earthy desert tones — the browns of shifting dunes, the warm neutrals of sandstone, the muted greens of oasis vegetation — form a palette of remarkable serenity. This chromatic quietude is gently illuminated by the cinematic glow of Murano blown glass, an intentional nod to oriental lanterns and the enduring ritual of light in desert culture.
The train’s 33 suites, including two presidential suites, are imagined as private retreats, enveloping up to 66 guests in an atmosphere of contemporary luxury and cultural resonance. Each suite balances intimacy with a sense of place: rich tactile surfaces, artisanal details, and soft geometries that recall vernacular architecture without ever falling into pastiche.
The Majlis: A Contemporary Salon for the Moving Landscape
At the centre of the train lies the Majlis lounge, a sculpted space dedicated to gathering — a modern re-interpretation of Saudi hospitality. Here, fine wood carvings, golden accents and low, inviting silhouettes create a dialogue between tradition and modern elegance. From this vantage point, guests observe the desert passing in slow cinematic frames, turning travel into contemplation.
Gastronomy at Altitude
Two restaurant cars complete the experience: one devoted to authentic Saudi and traditional cuisine, the other offering an international menu shaped through an Italian lens. Both are curated by world-renowned chefs, ensuring a Michelin-level dining experience that mirrors the sophistication of the design.
An Itinerary Rooted in Cultural Discovery
Launching in 2026, Dream of the Desert will depart from Riyadh and journey along 1,300 kilometres of existing railway lines. Itineraries of one to two nights will guide travellers through some of the Kingdom’s most compelling destinations — from UNESCO World Heritage sites to natural marvels soon to enter the global cultural imagination.
Beyond the train itself, curated excursions, private performances and bespoke experiences extend the journey into a fully immersive cultural narrative.
A Landmark for Luxury Rail Travel in the Middle East
For Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale, Dream of the Desert represents “a moving masterpiece born from the dialogue between Italian craftsmanship and Saudi vision.” For SAR, it is a model partnership aligned with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and a symbol of the Kingdom’s evolving mobility landscape.
But for travellers, Dream of the Desert offers something more poetic: the chance to encounter Saudi Arabia through movement, light, materiality and slowness — a way of travelling that restores emotional connection to place.
With this unveiling, a new benchmark for luxury rail travel in the Middle East has been set, merging design excellence with cultural depth in a way only Saudi Arabia — and this moment — could articulate.
More information will soon be available at dreamofthedesert.com.
