by InTrieste
The rhythmic chug of vintage trains will once again echo through the hills and valleys of Italy’s northeastern frontier, as Friuli Venezia Giulia reintroduces its beloved historic rail journeys for 2025. A total of 40 scheduled stops—some to familiar destinations, others entirely new—will take passengers aboard 1930s-era carriages from April 6 through December 8, offering a unique, slow-paced way to explore the region’s landscapes and heritage.
Eleven of these rides are part of the cultural program for GO! 2025, the cross-border celebration that unites Nova Gorica and Gorizia, twin cities straddling the Italian-Slovenian border and sharing the title of European Capital of Culture.
The initiative, which has drawn full trains and enthusiastic reviews in recent years, is the result of renewed collaboration between the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Government and FS Treni Turistici Italiani, Italy’s heritage rail operator. Technical and logistical support is provided by PromoTurismoFVG, with a focus on promoting not only the region but a more sustainable tourism model—one that relies on rail travel, encourages bicycle transport, and includes an array of free activities, from guided tours to nature walks.
The program’s signature train—the “Centoporte”, named after the many-door carriages used in the 1930s—will ferry passengers to festivals, cultural events, and scenic spots across the region, conjuring the charm of a bygone travel era.
Last year’s season concluded on December 15 with full bookings and high satisfaction ratings, especially among families and small groups, suggesting that in an age of speed, the allure of slowing down still holds powerful appeal.
And the journey begins again: two more springtime departures are scheduled for April, setting the stage for another season of nostalgic rail travel through one of Italy’s most quietly stunning corners.
For more information on the 2025 historic train journeys in Friuli Venezia Giulia, including schedules, ticketing, and event details, please visit the official PromoTurismoFVG website: Turismo FVG.
