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Vintage Train Rides in Tuscany

The Italian rail network dates back to the 19th century and such notable figures as the Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany, whose vision it was to build a railway line between Florence and Faenza linking Tuscany and Florence to the eastern Emilia-Romagna seaboard. Today there are still a remarkable number of historic and smaller vintage trains running along historic routes long the whole Italian peninsula and away from the excellent Italian inter-city and long-distance rail network, occasionally even with a steam locomotive pulling the historic ‘rolling stock’ (carriages), and notably some still servicing regular commuter journeys!

Most of these lines are now part of the national regional (Regionale) rail network, which is extensive in Italy, and it’s worth noting that even for ordinary travel the Regionale trains offer a cheaper and practical (if slower) alternative to high-speed and InterCity services. It might be said that the contemporary Italian national railway serves as an excellent example to other nations in how to preserve and make the most of a national network.

Beyond the hurry and bustle of regular and occasional travellers, this network of historic trains gives visitors and their families a wonderful way to experience an Italy of times past and La Bella Vita, Italy’s famous, slower pace of life. Although there may be occasional scheduling hiccups (one doesn’t necessarily take these trains for their speed and luxury), their excursion itineraries meander the country revealing lesser-known places in historic carriages, transporting us to a land of poetry and enchantment, un-matched scenery, historic towns, villages and bewitching historic city centres.

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The Steam Locomotive of Treno Natura at Siena Station. Image by LigaDue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tuscany's most spectacular train routes

There are several historic and scenic train rides to spend a wonderful day riding the rails in this glorious and quintessential region.

What is the most scenic train ride in Tuscany?

Here are three:

1. Trenonatura: The Nature Train through the Val D’Orcia

The Treno Natura Val d’Orcia is an old railway line that has remained open exclusively for tourist excursions and connects the provinces of Siena (Asciano) and Grosseto (Monte Antico). The Trenonatura (Nature Train) uses a vintage steam locomotive and is treasured by locals. Not running regularly, the steam locomotive makes special outings through the Crete Senesi, the Val d'Orcia and past Mont'Amiata, offering families a truly slow travel experience. During these excursions you can spend a day in the heart of Tuscany, stopping at borghi, taking part in village festivals (sagre) and walking this famously beautiful landscape. There can be few experiences more memorable! Trains are occasional and run at Festivals and special outings.

Information and booking at: FondazioneFS.it

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The spectacular landscape of the Crete Senesi, photograph by Daniela Cesarei

2. Faenza to Florence: Dante’s Mugello and the ‘Treno di Dante’

The Historic ‘Treno di Dante’ excursion train runs every Saturday and Sunday in the season, departing from Santa Maria Novella station in Florence usually at 8:50am. The history of the train dates back to the Grand-Duke Leopold of Tuscany, who conceived the railroad to link Italy’s east and west coasts in Romagna with Tuscany. This enchanting excursion train offers classic day-long rides along the Apennines and also themed special trains at advertised occasions, often based on Dante and the Mugello. These popular outings include stops with the opportunity to visit museums, fortresses, theatres and palaces, which passengers can access for free by showing their Dante Train’s ticket at the entrance, Included in the cost of the ticket is also 10% discount at restaurants found along the train route, with a free aperitif (even on a different day from the train journey).

For more information: Italy Magazine

For Information and photos of the train (in English): Treno di Dante

If there are no scheduled Treno di Dante excursions available, you can take some of the same route on the regular commuter trains travelling daily on the line from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station to Borgo San Lorenzo and Marradi-Palazzuolo Sul Seni in the Mugello. Normally there are trains running on the old historic line all the way to Faenza, Rimini, or Ravenna in Emilia-Romana. At present however, following the floods that hit Emilia-Romagna in 2023, there is a Rail bus substitute from Marradi-Palazzuolo Sul Seni to Faenza (included in your TrenItalia ticket). It is a spectacular journey across the foothills of the Dolomite mountains and well worth taking and we hope the line will re-open in 2024. In reverse, from Emilia-Romagna to Tuscany, you can depart from Faenza, Rimini, or Ravenna.

Check the trenitalia.com website for information. Information and tickets: www.trenitalia.com or the Mugello tourist office (Comunità Montana del Mugello): www.cm-mugello.fi.it.

3. The Porrettana Express: a historic train from Pistoia to Castagno and Pracchia.

The Porrettana Express is a more adventurous type of journey: this is the railway line that, in 1864, crossed the Apennine mountains for the first time, joining northern Italy with the centre of the country. The Porrettana Express, using the Centoporte carriages, will take you from Pistoia in Tuscany to Porretta Terme, in the Bologna Apennines, climbing up and through the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines along numerous viaducts and six tunnels, as you admire the landscape of chestnut woods and daring curves out the window. For Information and to book: porrettanaexpress.it.

Where to stay in Tuscany

To find the perfect place to stay in Tuscany have a look at our Tuscan villas here or search for a Tuscan Villa on our map

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Uliveto is just south of Siena, a private villa for four with a pool in the olive grove!
author dan wrightson

Dan Wrightson grew up in Tuscany, Italy and has been writing about, sketching and exploring Tuscany and Italy since 1983.

19th Nov 2024