Twenty-four opportunities for travel aboard historic trains discovering Friuli Venezia Giulia in the name of history, natural beauty, traditions, culture and food and wine. After last year’s success, from May 5th to December 15thit is possible to reach places and participate in events experiencing the thrill of a journey from times gone by on 1930s carriages, the so-called ‘Centoporte’, with wooden lounges and window curtains, perfectly preserved, trunk and hat racks, pulled by steam, electric or diesel locomotives.
The initiative is promoted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in collaboration with the Fs Foundation and the support of PromoTurismoFvg. The objective is to promote the territory, encouraging a more sustainable tourism model with rail transport also taking advantage of a special rate which includes for example guided tours and free nature activities, and the possibility of bring your bicycle with you. From UNESCO sites to the most beautiful villages in Italy, from seaside villages to historical re-enactments, from guided itineraries to festivals: here are the historical trains month by month.
Historic train of Friuli Venezia Giulia
May: culture, flowers and gardens
Opens in May Belle Epoque train Sunday 5 May departing from Sacile up to Cormons and then Gorizia. Here it is possible to take part in a guided tour of the historic center of the Isonzo capital, testimony to Central European elegance and visit Cormons, the ‘capital’ of Collio, home to some of the best white wines in the world, with tasting in a cellar. The May 12th all aboard the UNESCO Cities Train from Trieste to Palmanova and Cividale del Friuli to discover atmospheres, routes, history and monuments of the starry city and the first Lombard duchy in Italy. Guided tours of Palmanova and Cividale del Friulivie, the historic center and green areas, are included free of charge for passengers. The Orchid Train will leave from Trieste on Sunday 19 May for Osoppo on the occasion of the Orchid Festival, an event that takes place in the streets of the Friulian village and in the natural areas where numerous species of local orchids grow spontaneously. It will instead be directed to Sacile on Garden Train which on May 26th will leave from Trieste to discover the natural and oenological riches of this area of the region on the occasion of the “Cantine Aperte” event, for a journey among the colors and scents of wine and flowers in the Garden of the Serenissima in the name of culture, tradition and of typical products. Included free in the experience is the visit with tasting of the Vistorta estate and the guided tour of Sacile
June waterways and lagoon
There are four appointments with historic trains in the month of June. Sunday 9 June we set off aboard the “Ottavio Bottecchia Train” and the “Trout in Festa Train”, which from Pordenone will arrive in Trasaghis and accompanies passengers along the routes of the great cyclist on the occasion of the centenary of his first victory in the Tour de France. The The train between Laguna and Mare will leave from Portogruaro on 16 June with a first stop in Marano Lagunare and arrival in Miramare: the morning will be dedicated to discovering the seaside village and the ancient fortress on the occasion of the San Vio event where numerous food and wine stands will be present. In the afternoon, back in a carriage to reach Miramare, here a free guided tour inside the castle park dedicated to its most iconic points. June 23rd the appointment is with the Risorgive and Stella Train which will leave from Trieste towards Palazzolo dello Stella for a trip between history and nature, visiting the historic center of Palazzolo dello Stella and the biodiversity of the lagoon. The month ends on June 30th the Terre dell’Altolivenza Train departing from Sacile and arriving in Budoia-Polcenigo to discover the Altolivenza, a land straddling the upper course of the Livenza, the suggestive river that originates in Friuli in the territory of Polcenigo, flows through Sacile and flows into the Veneto.
July: folk and outdoor activities
And the Folkest trainthe first of July, which Sunday 7th will leave from Trieste with destination San Daniele del Friuli on the occasion of the Folkest – international folk music festival, for a journey through the music and cultures of the world. Sunday 14 July it will be the turn of the Train to discover Pinzano al Tagliamento and the Val d’Arzino departing from Sacile and arriving in Pinzano al Tagliamento where it will be possible to choose between various outdoor activities: Packraft/Rafting descent along the river, e-bike route, cultural itineraries such as the guided walking excursion to Castello , Cjampat, Pontaiba, Puart, Germanic Shrine and Ferryman’s House. It will start from Pordenone on 21 July the Train of the UNESCO Cities towards Palmanova and Aquileia to discover the historical and cultural richness that makes them a UNESCO world heritage site. The month ends with Train of castles and mosaics that the Sunday 28 July will take passengers from Sacile to Spilimbergo on a fascinating journey along the tracks of the Pedemontana Railway to discover Travesio, with the Church of San Pietro where you can admire the works of Pilacorte from the 16th century. and the frescoes by the painter Giovanni Antonio de Sacchis known as Pordenone, up to Spilimbergo, the “City of Mosaic”.
Autumn: festivals and author’s festivals
The August 3 will depart from Trieste to Gemona del Friuli on historic Tempus express train on the occasion of Tempus est Jocundum. It is a historical event that every year repopulates the streets of the city with medieval figures and environments such as knights and splendid ladies, but also fire eaters, artisans in their markets and taverns and numerous dance and theater shows in all the squares. Sunday 11 August will be operational on Friulian Dolomites train which from Sacile reaches Montereale Valcellina and Barcis crossing the suggestive naturalistic landscapes of Friuli. Once you arrive at the Montereale Valcellina station, you will be accompanied to discover the Malnisio hydroelectric power plant and the old Valcellina road. September opens with Train of the most beautiful villages in Italy on September 1st will take passengers departing from Sacile to Travesio with intermediate stops in some of the most beautiful villages in Italy: Polcenigo, Poffabro (on the occasion of the “Open Villages of Frisanco” event), and Toppo, in the municipality of Travesio, a rural village which preserves the remains of its medieval castle. September 8th will depart from Udine on Train to discover the villages of the Pordenone plain headed to Casarsa della Delizia, “town of storms and primroses” for a journey in the footsteps of Pier Paolo Pasolini and with the possibility of visiting the historic centers of San Vito al Tagliamento and Cordovado. It is instead dedicated to the literary event Pordenone train read on 21 September: with two departures, one from Treviso and one from Trieste, the historic train will reach Pordenone on the occasion of the annual book festival with authors, one of the most important literary festivals on the national cultural scene. The month of October opens with Train flavors of autumn That Sunday 6 October will connect Treviso to Cavasso Nuovo on the occasion of the traditional “Autumn Festival” initiative which sees the slow food presidium “Capolla Rossa di Cavasso Nuovo” as the protagonist, offering producers’ stands and various dishes to enhance this product, while the October 20th all in the carriage on San Simone Fair Train from Treviso to Codroipo with the possibility of visiting the area by bike once you get off. For lovers of pumpkin and warm autumn colors, don’t miss the 27 October the Train to discover Venzone or Zucca, a trip from Trieste to Venzone for the annual Pumpkin Festival, taking the opportunity to discover the rich artistic-cultural heritage of the Friulian town surrounded by pumpkins until dusk for an unparalleled medieval day
Winter: history and scents of Christmas
November opens Saturday 4 with the inevitable appointment on the sacred places of the Great War with the Train of the Great War which connects Trieste to Redipuglia on the occasion of National Unity and Armed Forces Day, where the commemoration ceremony of all the soldiers who fell during the First World War will take place. At the end of the solemn celebration, passengers will be given a guided tour accompanied by experts and dedicated to the places that have marked history. Sunday 10 November it will be the turn of Cheese Train which will take passengers from Sacile to Gemona on the occasion of “Gemona, cheese… and surroundings”, a large exhibition-market of dairy producers and typical regional and Italian food and wine products with taste workshops and guided visits to dairies. The last two dates of the 2024 are those in December dedicated to pre-Christmas traditions: Tuesday 5 December the Krampus Train it will depart from Trieste towards Tarvisio on the occasion of the feast of Saint Nicholas and the traditional masked outing of the Krampus through the streets of the city, noisy and disturbing creatures whose origins are lost in the mists of time and in the depths of the forest. The December 15th the last trip of the year is with the Train of nativity scenes and Christmas markets it will connect Gemona del Friuli to Poffabro for a visit to the nativity scenes, it will continue to Polcenigo, with a stop in Maniago, and then to Sacile for an itinerary to discover the villages and visit the typical nativity scenes and the Christmas markets.
Rates and purchase methods
The initiative is offered at a promotional price ea fixed rate, regardless of the length of the route travelled. The price of a one-way or return ticket on trains to electric or diesel locomotive it’s for them adults of 5 euros, i children from 4 to 12 years of age pay 2.50 euros, while those with older age less than 4 years they travel for free. For trains with steam locomotive the return price for adults is 15 euros and 7.50 euros for children aged 4 to 12 years not completed, children from 0 to 4 years not accomplished grateful. THE
tickets are on sale through all Trenitalia channels: online on the website www.trenitalia.com, in ticket offices and self-service stations in railway stations and authorized travel agencies. Tickets go on sale on average two weeks before the travel date on the Fondazione FS website and close when tickets are sold out. The maximum capacity of the historic train is 250 passengers.
More information
Historic trains are restored and maintained to preserve charm and authenticity of other times. They offer a charming and unique experience, but may not have all the modern conveniences such as central heating and summer air conditioning. Passengers are advised to take this aspect of the journey into consideration and wear clothing appropriate for the climate. It’s possible bring your bicycle on board, the number of places for bicycle transport is limited and cannot be booked. There are staff on all trains PromoTurismoFVG responsible for distributing the program of the day. 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.
