New tourist train to launch in Italy in the fall.
Italy will launch a new train service this autumn linking Rome with the ancient pilgrimage town of Assisi in a rail journey that celebrates the olive oil harvest in Umbria.
The Espresso Assisi – Frantoi Aperti service, part of Italy’s tourist train initiative, will operate between Rome and Assisi every Sunday from 5 October until 16 November.
Described as “a special train flavoured with olive oil”, organisers say the journey is “the perfect opportunity to enjoy an authentic experience, immersing yourself in nature and the food and wine culture of Umbria”.
The daytime rail journey connects the Italian capital with the mediaeval hill town, most famously associated with St Francis, with stops along the way in Terni, Spoleto, Foligno, Spello, Perugia and finally Arezzo.
“For a whole month, art cities, mediaeval villages, towns and olive oil mills celebrate by welcoming the new oil, deeply rooted in Umbria’s heritage” – organisers say – “A season when olive groves fill up for the olive harvest, and olive oil mills fill up and become welcoming places where the fire is always burning”.
During the trip from Rome, passengers can taste a selection of Umbrian extra virgin olive oils, “guided by industry experts who will share the history and characteristics of each label”, according to the FS Treni Turistici website.
Upon arrival at your destination, travellers will have the opportunity to visit some of the region’s most prestigious olive oil mills, where they can see the production process up close, from olive harvesting to pressing.
The train departs Rome’s central Termini station at 08.30, arriving in Assisi at 11.00 and Arezzo at 12.10.
The return journey leaves Arezzo at 17.30, passing through Assisi just after 19.02, before arriving back in the capital at 22.42.
For full details including tickets see FS Treni Turistici website.
