by InTrieste
This September, vintage trains will once again run through Friuli Venezia Giulia, offering travelers a chance to explore medieval villages, wine country, and some of the region’s most celebrated cultural festivals.
Seven departures are scheduled aboard restored Centoporte carriages, dating back to the 1930s, as part of an initiative promoted by the regional government in partnership with FS Treni Turistici Italiani and PromoTurismoFVG. The program is designed to showcase local heritage while encouraging sustainable tourism ahead of the autumn season.
The journeys begin on Sept. 7 with a tour of some of the region’s most picturesque villages. Departing from Sacile, the train will stop at Polcenigo, home to the traditional Thèst basket fair; Poffabro, known for its open-air cultural festival Paesi Aperti; and Toppo, a medieval hamlet with castle ruins.
On Sept. 13, a special service from Trieste will bring passengers to Udine for Friuli Doc, a food and wine fair now in its 31st edition. The four-day event transforms the city center into a showcase of regional cuisine and viticulture.
Books take center stage on Sept. 20, when trains departing from Treviso and Trieste head to Pordenone for Pordenonelegge, one of Italy’s leading literary festivals. The following day offers two separate itineraries: one to Cormons and Rosazzo for the Grape Festival and a visit to the historic Rosazzo Abbey, and another linking Pordenone to Trieste as part of European Mobility Week, promoting sustainable transport.
Later in the month, a Sept. 27 journey from Gorizia will bring passengers to San Vito al Tagliamento and Casarsa della Delizia during a weekend of cultural programming. On Sept. 28, comic book enthusiasts can travel to Pordenone for a visit to the International Museum of Comic Art, PAFF!, housed in Villa Galvani. That same weekend coincides with Gusti di Frontiera, a major food festival in Gorizia celebrating cuisines from around the world.
Tickets are offered at a fixed promotional rate: €10 for adults and €5 for children aged 4 to 12 on electric or diesel trains, and €15 and €7.50 respectively on steam services. Children under 4 travel free. Seats cannot be reserved, and availability is capped at 250 passengers per train.
The 2025 schedule includes 40 departures through Dec. 8. Organizers note that while the carriages retain their historic charm, they lack modern amenities such as air conditioning and central heating. Passengers are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather. Bicycles are permitted in limited numbers.
The project, which has drawn growing interest in recent years, reflects a wider effort to combine cultural tourism with sustainable travel. By pairing historic rail journeys with local festivals and guided experiences, officials hope to highlight the diversity of Friuli Venezia Giulia — from medieval hill towns to the vineyards of Collio — while offering a slower, more immersive way to experience the region.
