After last year’s success and the first four dates in April sold out, the 2024 program continues for traveling aboard the historic trains in Friuli Venezia Giulia: from 5 May to 15 December 24 more events to reach events and locations in region and experience the thrill of a journey from other times on 1930s carriages, the so-called “Centoporte”, with wooden lounges and window curtains, perfectly preserved, equipped with trunk and hat racks and pulled by steam locomotives, electric or diesel.
From UNESCO sites to the “Most beautiful villages in Italy”, from seaside villages to historical re-enactments, from guided itineraries to festivals but also food and wine events and major sporting events: there will be many opportunities to discover the area by traveling in an original and sign of slow tourism.
The initiative was proposed again this year thanks to the renewed collaboration between the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the FS Foundation and with the technical operational support of PromoTurismoFVG, with the dual objective of promoting the territory but also of encouraging rail transport in favor of a more sustainable tourism model, thanks to a wide and quality offer, a special rate that includes free land programs such as guided tours and naturalistic activities, and the possibility of bringing your bicycle with you.
The success of the proposal, which last season was sold out and had a high level of approval from users who declared themselves satisfied with almost all passengers (98%), mostly made up of families and small groups , falls – according to the survey carried out by PromoTurismoFVG – in the more general trend towards undertourism, a form of tourism that emerged in the post-pandemic period which sees more and more visitors preferring national or regional destinations, little-known places and the possibility of experiencing the experience travel at a slower pace, while reducing pollution and environmental impact.
THE DATES IN MAY: 5, 12, 19 and 26 MAY, FOUR TRAINS FULL OF CULTURE, FLOWERS AND GARDENS
The Belle Époque Train will open the month which on Sunday 5 May will take passengers departing from Sacile to Cormons and then to Gorizia for a dive into the Belle Époque. Passengers will have the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the historic center of the Isonzo capital, an undisputed testimony of Central European elegance, and visit Cormons, the “capital” of Collio, home to some of the best white wines in the world. Included free of charge in the experience is the guided tour of Gorizia with a focus on the Belle Époque and the visit with tasting in a cellar in Cormons (for more information PORDENONE INFOPOINT Tel. +39 0434 520381; [email protected]). On May 12th the UNESCO Cities Train will be operational from Trieste to Palmanova and Cividale del Friuli to discover the atmospheres, routes, history and monuments of the starry city and the first Lombard duchy in Italy. Guided tours of Palmanova and Cividale del Friuli are included free of charge for passengers
(INFOPOINT PALMANOVA +39 0432 924815; +39 335 7847446; [email protected] ), while on May 19th the Orchid Train will leave from Trieste for Osoppo on the occasion of the Orchid Festival, an organized event in the streets of the Friulian village and in the natural areas where numerous species of local orchids grow spontaneously. Instead, the Garden Train will head to Sacile and will depart from Trieste on May 26th to discover the natural and oenological riches of this area of the region on the occasion of the “Open Cellars” event, for a journey through the colors and scents of wine and flowers in the Garden of the Serenissima in the name of culture, tradition and typical products. Included free of charge in the experience is the visit with tasting of the Vistorta Estate and the guided tour of Sacile (information INFOPOINT DI PORDENONE Tel. +39 0434 520381; [email protected]).
Updates on upcoming events in the historic trains section on the PromoTurismoFVG website https://www.turismofvg.it/it/treni-storici
RATES, PURCHASE METHODS AND ASSISTANCE
The initiative is offered at a promotional price and a fixed rate, regardless of the length of the route travelled. The price of a one-way or return ticket on electric or diesel locomotive trains is 5 euros for adults, children from 4 to 12 years of age pay 2.50 euros, while those under the age of 4 travel for free . For trains with a steam locomotive the return price for adults is 15 euros and 7.50 euros for children from 4 to 12 years of age, children from 0 to 4 years of age are free.
It is not possible to reserve a seat.
Tickets are on sale through all Trenitalia channels: online on the website www.trenitalia.com, in ticket offices and self-service outlets in railway stations and in authorized travel agencies.
The tickets go on sale starting on average two weeks before the travel date on the Fondazione FS website and closes when tickets are sold out. The maximum capacity of the historic train is 250 passengers.
Trenitalia will provide assistance to Fondazione FS customers via email [email protected] and no. by telephone +39 335 6854091.
OTHER INFORMATION
The historic trains are restored and maintained to preserve the charm and authenticity of times gone by. They offer a charming and unique experience, but may not have all the modern conveniences such as central heating and summer air conditioning. Kind passengers are asked to take this aspect of the journey into consideration and wear clothing appropriate for the climate.
It is possible to bring your bicycle on board, the number of places for transporting bicycles is limited and cannot be booked.
PromoTurismoFVG staff are present on all trains in charge of distributing the day’s program and a satisfaction questionnaire via QR for user profiling and monitoring the quality of the service.
During the train journey, passengers will be provided with information and insights into railway history, technology and culture by the Trieste Campo Marzio Station Museum Association.
