There’s something enticing and quintessentially romantic about train travel: watching the landscape changing before one’s eyes, crossing remote areas, having time to relax and unwind and take in the views are just some of the reasons why many enthusiasts consider traveling by rail the only way to travel. And while high speed trains such as the Frecciarossa and Italo nowadays connect Milan to Rome in only 2 hours, making them perfect for businessmen who have to rush from one city to the other, there is a different, slower way to enjoy train travel for those who have time to spare. Italy is dotted with panoramic train routes, perfect for those travelers who want to sit back, relax and watch the world go by outside the passenger window.
Trenino del Renon (Trentino Alto Adige). Only 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) long, the panoramic Trenino del Renon is a delight for those who want to get in touch with nature without breaking a sweat. The train starts its ascent from Collalbo, a picture perfect village on the Altopiano del Renon offering stunning views of the Dolomites, and heads towards Costalovara with its pristine Alpine lake. Here, on the left, sits one of the most ancient houses in the area, home today to the Beekeeping Museum. The train then marches on towards Maria Assunta, a delightful town where time seems to stand still: the old archery range, built in 1777, features on display more than 100 bull’s-eyes, some dating back to the 1600s. For more information and timetables visit: http://www.ritten.com/en/discover-renon/railway-renon/
Centovalli Railway (Piedmont/Switzerland). From the Alps to the shores of Lake Maggiore, this panoramic route links Domodossola, in Piedmont, to the beautiful Swiss lakeside town of Locarno. The Centovalli Railway, also known as the Vigezzina, a little more than 30 miles long, is enchanting and offers views of the lush chestnut woods of the Vigezzo Valley, serene mountain villages, gorges, glaciers and canyons. Once in Locarno, the Lago Maggiore Express combined ticket offers the chance to continue the journey on a ferry to visit the beautiful Borromee islands. The Centovalli Railway often organizes special themed journeys: to learn more visit http://www. inglese.vigezzina.com
Circumetnea (Sicily). If reaching the summit of a volcano sounds exciting but at the same time too tiring, the Circumetnea railway might be perfect for you: since 1895 this panoramic train has linked Catania to the top of Mount Etna with its 110 kilometers (70 miles) of tracks circumnavigating and ascending towards the summit. The journey starts down by the shore, then the train climbs through olive and citrus groves, slowly working its way to the top. The higher you get, the more spectacular the views: the raw and untamed beauty of the volcano wows even the most jaded of travelers. Those who love pistachios should definitely plan to disembark in Bronte, where the best pistachios in Sicily come from.
Genova – Casella Railway (Liguria). An historical railway for those who can’t resist the charm of all things belle époque, the Ferrovia Genova Casella dates back to the early 1900s and, to this day, remains one of the most interesting historical railways in all of Italy. The train leaves from the medieval seaside town of Genoa and heads North, passing through a territory that is interesting both under the natural and the historic points of view. An ancient Roman aqueduct, the sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Vittoria and the baroque palazzos of Crocefieschi are just few of the points of interest along the way: the restaurant cart, too, is definitely worth checking out, as it offers travelers the opportunity to dine in an Orient Express like style. For more information: http://www.ferroviagenovacasella.it/geca/
Bernina Express (Lombardy /Switzerland). A spectacular journey that connects Lake Como to the ritzy mountain resort of St. Moritz in Switzerland, the Bernina Express is something every mountain lover should experience. 55 galleries, 196 bridges and the truly amazing backdrop of the Albula mountain range make this journey unforgettable, as the red panoramic train of the Ferrovia Retica climbs through the Valposchiavo area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route looks stunning in all seasons, but especially so during the fall, when the foliage is at its best, and in the winter, when the landscapes outside the window look even more dramatic. For more information: https://www. rhb. ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express
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