Italy and its rail operator, Ferrovie dello Stato, have plans to make it easier to reach smaller and less-visited destinations as a way of spreading the tourism economy and lowering the load on the big destinations such as Rome, Florence and Venice.
The new routes, called Treni Turistici Italiani, or Italian Tourist Trains, aim to encourage visitors to widen their horizons by making the journeys easier, in some cases operating direct routes where previously train changes were needed. Last summer, that plan was applied to a run from Rome to Pompeii.
The tourist trains will operate on three levels:
- The Lusso (Luxury) services featuring “deluxe cabins” and fine-dining restaurant, crossing 14 regions and also reaching out to Paris, Istanbul or Split, Croatia.
- Espresso (Express) routes will use late 20th-century trains restored to modern standards, with sleeper, restaurant cars, and storage areas for bikes and skis. These will link Rome, Milan, and potentially other large cities to popular seaside or mountain destinations.
- The Omnibus category will include slower (and lower-priced) regional services, with itineraries aimed at exploring lesser-known regions and their natural landscapes.
Services on some routes have already started, and others will be phased in over the coming year.
Comments (1)