when Italy to launch special tourist-focused trains on popular vacation routes

The tourist trains operator will offer services aimed towards tourism that is "high quality, sustainable, and focused on rediscovering the riches of Italy

Italy, with its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and iconic landmarks, attracts tourists from around the globe. From its art and culture to its delectable cuisine and scenic coastlines, the country offers a diverse experience for every traveller. And now, it is all set to take your travel experience to another level with special tourist-focused trains.

Italy’s state-owned railway operator, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), has revealed the launch of an exciting new program centred around tourism in 2024. The initiative will feature tourist-focussed trains that utilise vintage locomotives to traverse popular vacation routes, CNN reported.

The tourist trains operator will offer services aimed towards tourism that are “high quality, sustainable, and focused on rediscovering the riches of Italy,” the company said in a statement shared with the outlet. Further, it said that it was aiming for “a kind of tourism where the train journey is an integral moment of the vacation, and a high-quality element of the entire experience,” as well as including “off the beaten track” destinations.

The project comprises three main components, it said. The ‘lusso’ (luxury) trains will be led by the opulent Orient Express Dolce Vita train, offering a super-luxury long-distance experience. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, owned by Belmond, will also be part of this initiative. Additionally, the project will feature ‘espressi’ (Express) and ‘treni storici’ (vintage trains) operating on new medium and long routes, connecting major cities to popular tourist destinations.

The report further stated that the Espresso trains will utilise rolling stock from the 1980s and 1990s, which has been renovated to provide modern amenities such as restaurant cars, sleeping cabins, meeting rooms, and storage facilities for bicycles and skis.

For cruise enthusiasts, this program is all set to include ‘cruise trains’ which will transport vacationers back and forth from short breaks. Finally, under the ‘omnibus-regionali’ category, travellers can enjoy slower yet affordable weekend services on regional trains. These routes will be thoughtfully curated to showcase captivating landscapes and destinations with rich culinary traditions.

The program aims to “relaunch and develop high-quality and sustainable tourism which is ready to appreciate the richness of our country, and discover lesser-known places,” FS CEO Luigi Ferraris was quoted as saying by CNN. He added that the aim is “to make the train journey an integral part of the client’s experience, creating synergies with other tourist activities, from guided tours of archaeological sites to hiking, as well as tastings of typical products, thereby focusing on the traditions and the economies of the areas [the routes] will cover.”

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, I do not have specific information about Italy launching special tourist-focused trains on popular vacation routes. However, it's not uncommon for countries with well-developed tourism industries to introduce specialized train services to cater to tourists and enhance their travel experiences.

If Italy has indeed launched such tourist-focused trains on popular vacation routes since then, I recommend checking official tourism websites, news sources, and travel forums for the latest updates and details about these trains. These sources should provide you with information about the routes, schedules, amenities, and any unique features or experiences offered by these trains for tourists.