Recently, Trenitalia has announced ambitious plans for the future, such as two new tourist train routes about to happen in the upcoming months: one between the Ligurian coast and Milan, the other on the Merveilles line from Nice to Turin.
The revival of train travel between Italy and France
The train travel option has recently emerged as an attractive type of journey, allowing a more relaxed and sustainable approach to vacation. Many initiatives in various European countries, including France and Italy, has since risen up to sustain the trend; for instance, on February 6, 2024 – during a press conference organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Nice – the Italian railway company Trenitalia presented a series of projects, including the upcoming Frecciarossa connection between Venice and Ljubljana and the new Rome-Cortina train for the winter Olympics, such as two new railway lines between the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and Italy.
The first proposition is the Milan-Côte d’Azur summer train, promising for sightseers, while the other route will connect the city of Turin to Nice. The goal is to enhance and improve the tourism offering in this region, with the hope of extending the railway connection to Marseille and perhaps to Avignon, as stated by Luigi Cantamessa, CEO of Italian Tourist Trains.
From Marseille to Monaco to Milan: a breathtaking route through the Ligurian coast to the most ‘hip’ city
The Italian FS Tourist Trains company has announced the launch of the new railway service for the summer, the connection between Milan and Marseille with stops in Nice, Monaco (and perhaps Ventimiglia).
An unique opportunity for travel enthusiasts since the route will transit through a picturesque region of scenic landscapes and sea to a eventful, exciting city, avoiding the stress of traditional transportation. Although it won’t be a high-speed line, the estimated travel time is about 4 and a half hours thanks to the modern high-speed TGV trains.
The city of Milan will thus be efficiently connected with the enchanting locations of the French Riviera, allowing the inhabitants of the French Riviera to explore quickly and conveniently the fashionable Milan as well as tourists to immerse themselves in a variety of artistic, culinary, and relaxing experiences.
Nice to Turin through Breil-sur-Roya: the transalpine Merveilles Train
Plans to develop a new railway line between Nice/Ventimiglia and Turin are next, which should go through Breil-sur-Roya. This project, expected to be operational by 2025, will have a strong focus on tourism, offering travelers completely glazed and panoramic trains to admire the extraordinary mountain views along the way. Luigi Cantamessa stated: “We return to the myth of travel, rediscovering the beauties of our country”. The railway line will not only improve connections between the two nations but also represent a tangible sign of the desire to strengthen transnational cooperation between the two countries of the Southern Alps.
The magic of trains between historical charm and environmental prospects
Interest in train travel in Italy and abroad is constantly growing, fueled by various factors: ticket purchase services via app, the growing environmental awareness, and the convenience offered by high-speed connections. However, what makes the train an option so attractive compared flying or driving on the complex motorway network goes beyond these practical factors; the railway has a unique charm that other means of transportation cannot match, as evidenced by the success of scenic and luxury trains. Travelers who choose these experiences do so not only to reach a destination but to completely immerse themselves in the journey itself and experience a trip that places the train at the center of attention.