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Travelers heading to France or Italy this summer, rejoice!
A historic train is reactivated between the sister countries.
It will connect the most beautiful coastal areas of both countries and make it easier for passengers to commute from the French Riviera to the Italian Riviera and back without any transfer.
Previously, those traveling from Nice, the capital of France’s bougie Côte d’Azur, to destinations in Italy’s nearby Liguria had to change at Ventimiglia, near the border, but once the Riviera Express gets underway the crossing will feel smoother than ever .
It’s two Rivieras, one train, so sit back and enjoy the panoramic views as you ride along the turquoise Mediterranean Sea:
Travel effortlessly from the French Riviera to the Italian Riviera and back
By August 3 to September 1During the height of the European summer, the Italian national rail service Trenitalia will resume operations on its tracks Espresso Rivieraconnecting the tourist hotspots of Milan and Nice.
This is hardly news, as we already talked about it in March, but something we didn’t know for sure at the time was that the train exact itinerarynor that it would follow the coastal route connecting Italy to France.
Essentially, this new service eliminates the need for multi-ticket trips traveling from the French to the Italian Riviera: you can now board the train in Nice as planned and travel towards Milan, hopping off at a number of iconic destinations along the way.
Every weekend, Saturday and Sundaytraveling east from Nice at 5:12 p.m., arriving at its final destination Milan at 11:40 p.m., with stops at the following stations:
In Monaco
In France
In Italy
- Ventimiglia
- Bordighera
- Sanremo
- Empires
- Diana
- Alassio
- Albenga
- Savona
- Varazze
- Genoa (Piazza Principe station)
- Pavia
- Milan (Central Station)
Departing from Milan, in the opposite direction, the departure is scheduled at 7:35 AM and arrives in Nice at 1:58 PM. The total travel time is 6.23 hoursand tickets start at a surprisingly affordable €44.50 or $48.30 one way, based on the current exchange rate.
After September 1the Riviera Express remains operational to Ventimigliathe last Italian city before the French border, where tourists must change if they want to travel further to Menton on the French Riviera.
Unlike the usual SCNF (French operated) or Trenitalia trains that normally run between the French and Italian Riviera, the Riviera Express will be equipped with a bar and a dining car, where breakfast and dinner will be served at real tables and a carriage which can only be saved. for bicycles and extensive sports equipment.
If you book first class tickets, which from €59.50, or around $64.57, breakfast on the Milan-Nice route, or dinner on the Nice-Milan route is already included; you will also enjoy more comfortable chairs with electrical outlets, folding tables and a quieter environment.
Interested? You. You can book tickets on the Trenalita site here.
Top 5 best cities to visit with the New Riviera Express
The French and Italian Riviera are some of the most sought after destinations in their respective countries, and culturally they form almost a contiguous area with similar architectural features, dialects and even kitchen.
Côte d’Azur and Liguria have been historically intertwinedand an express train that made travel between the neighboring regions seamless was only a matter of time. However, if you’re wondering what some of the highlights of this trip are, here are 5 must-sees:
Monaco
A wealthy coastal town that exists countryMonaco is the first stop on the train traveling from Nice, just 31 minutes away, and it is a iconic destination it is host to a number of world-famous sights, including Casino de Monte-Carlo and the glitzy Port Hercule.
Nicknamed The Rock, it sits on a headland that extends into the Mediterranean Sea.
It combines 21st century opulence with a series of luxury developments along its short waterfront and Old World allure, with a fortified medieval center intersected with cobbled streets.
Menton
The most Italian city in France, Menton is a (literal) stone’s throw from the next country, and it’s a place where you’ll hear both languages widely spoken, and where you can get fresh pasta and beef tartare in the same restaurant.
The most striking feature, however, is the well-preserved old townwith narrow, skinny houses painted in warm tones unfolding along a sand and pebble beach: one of the postcard views of the Côte d’Azur, and simply a quintessential Mediterranean.
Ventimiglia
On the Italian side, Ventimiglia is a relaxed coastal area local authority divided between a lower and upper city.
The first is full of elegance Belle époqueRiviera from the era villas and grand boulevards, while the former is a pedestrian-friendly maze of medieval alleys.
The Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, the main attraction in the upper town, dates back to the 12th century and houses a crypt.
For foodies, it is just a 14-minute walk to the traditional La Musa Restaurant, where a freshly made tortelli cacio en pepe costs only $15.20.
Sanremo
Home to the Sanremo Music Festival, Italy’s own ‘Eurovision’, and a palm-lined waterfront interspersed with green spaces and Art Nouveau buildingsthis is a chic coastal town where you active go experience that Italian high life.
From the refined Ristorante Flipper, found along Corso Augusto Mombello, to the royal villas and Belle époque casino hotels overlooking the Corso dell’Imperatrice, a lively seaside boulevard, Sanremo exudes elegance (and old moneyif you want).
Genoa
Genoa, the capital of the Liguria region, and therefore of the Italian Riviera, was once the beating heart of a powerful maritime republic that flourished for almost seven centuries before Italy came into being. piazzeAnd Old town from the Renaissance are still living proof.
Genoa’s main sights include the striped Cathedral of San Lorenzo with a black and white pattern, the stylish Piazza De Ferrari and Boccadasse, a residential area known for its pastel-colored houses with green shutters and small pebbles. beach.
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