A NEW European train route connecting top holiday destinations on the Mediterranean could launch this year.
Train company Trenitalia announced last month that it wanted to introduce two tourist railway routes between Italy and France as soon as this summer.
While the exact route of the proposed train line has not been revealed yet, the journey could start from Milan and go all the way up to Marseille, it is being speculated.
The train could also make stops at tourist-friendly cities such as Monaco, Nice and Côte d’Azur in between.
Luigi Cantamessa, general director of FS Treni Turistici Italiani, said: “[The new routes] will not be on a high-speed line but rather an intercity line.
“This should probably be put into service for the summer of 2024 with one Milan-Marseille round trip per day.”
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The proposed train line service will be run in collaboration with France’s state-owned railway SNCF.
“We are convinced that taking into account the traffic situation, particularly in the Liguria region, and the growing sensitivity towards the environment, the market conditions are now ripe to operate a route daily seasonal focused on tourism needs,” Cantamessa added.
While the official launch date has not yet been revealed, the new train line could start taking tourist bookings in summer this year.
And the price of the ticket is expected to be cheaper than the existing Paris-Milan train route since it is a much longer journey.
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It comes after a short train journey along the stretch of the Italian coast was labelled one of the “most scenic” in Europe.
Located along the Italian coastline in northern Italy, the Cinque Terre is a string of five villages, including Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
Most holidaymakers to the Cinque Terre are daytrippers from nearby Genoa and La Spezia, which means attempting to pack all five villages into just one day.
The route can start in either direction, but most holidaymakers begin their journey in Riomaggiore, with the Italian train stopping at each of the stations, before arriving in Monterosso.
It takes roughly five minutes to travel between each of the stations in the Cinque Terre.
Holidaymakers who’ve managed to nab a window seat can expect seaside views overlooking crystal-clear waters and ragged cliffs.
Other views include glimpses of the Cinque Terre’s colourful buildings and green fields where farmers grow olives, grapes, and basil.
One-way tickets cost €5 (£4.30) per person, but most holidaymakers opt to purchase the Cinque Terre Pass for €18.20.
The Cinque Terre Pass gives visitors unlimited access to train travel between the five towns as well as a hiking pass.
Train tickets can be purchased on the Trenitalia website.
Meanwhile, Via dell’Amore (a walking route between the Italian towns) is set to reopen later this year.
The one-kilometre walking trail previously connected the towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola.
After the route first opened to tourists in 1931, it became popular with holidaymakers thanks to its picturesque views and flat path.
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But after a landslide in September 2012, Via dell’Amore, which is also known as Lovers’ Lane, closed to the public.
Three scenic train journeys you can take in the UK
Cornish Coast – One trip that rail enthusiasts seem to love is along a stretch of the Cornish coast and takes just 10 minutes to complete.
The route from St Erth to St Ives only stops at Carbis Bay en route to its final destination, but the views out the window for the whole journey are pretty spectacular.
Another highlight of the journey is that St Ives station is situated right next to Porthminster beach, meaning the sand and sea can be accessed almost immediately.
Meanwhile, the station is less than a ten minute walk into town, where the harbour, shops, galleries and pubs can be explored.
Durham to Edinburgh – Another train route that people in the UK love is the East Coast train line between Durham and Edinburgh, with coastal views and city landscapes among the sights that can be seen out the window.
Newcastle, Berwick, Lindisfarne and Durham Cathedral are all among the highlights on that route.
Scotland’s West Highland Line – While Scotland is home to plenty of famous landmarks and top attractions, it also has one of the most breathtaking train routes in the world.
Scotland’s West Highland Line has previously been dubbed the best rail journey in the world by Wanderlust – and it’s easy to see why.
The journey from Glasgow to Fort William is one of my favourite train routes – and I’ve interrailed through mainland Europe.
With mountain landscapes, serene lochs, wistful moors, and wildlife all visible through the train window, it’s certainly a route all holidaymakers should consider doing at least once.
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Sayan Bose
