Three weekend departures bring the romance of slow travel to Italy's iconic cypress-lined hills. Italy has launched a new vintage train service - Espresso Val d'Orcia e Siena, unlocking access to one of Tuscany's most coveted yet difficult-to-reach destinations: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Val d'Orcia region. This new route taps directly into post-pandemic wanderlust for slow travel and authentic experiences, connecting Rome to landscapes that inspired Renaissance painters and continue to define the essence of Tuscany.
The Siena Express, operated by FS Italian Tourist Trains, will run on three select weekends this fall, using meticulously restored 1970s Gran Confort carriages. According to FS Treni Turistici Italiani, "The train is not just a means of transport, but a real journey into the soul of Tuscany. It is a unique opportunity to slow down, connect deeply with the beauty of the landscape, and savor the most authentic essence of this region."
This service creates the perfect weekend escape: trains depart from Rome's main station, Rome Termini, at 7:42 a.m. on September 27, October 4, and November 1, arriving in Siena at 1:20 p.m. After an overnight stay to explore the medieval streets and enjoy the world-class cuisine, return journeys leave Siena at 3:05 p.m. the following day, arriving back in Rome at 9:03 p.m. This schedule creates an ideal Saturday-to-Sunday getaway.
Along the way, the route winds through the dramatic Argentario coast before reaching the rolling, cypress-lined hills of Val d'Orcia—the iconic golden wheat fields that epitomize Tuscany but have remained frustratingly difficult to reach without a car. The train stops in historic towns including Tarquinia, an ancient city in the Province of Viterbo, Lazio, central Italy. It is renowned for its extensive Etruscan necropolis, which contains some of the most essential painted tombs of the ancient world. Capalbio and Orbetello, known, its namesake lagoon, a key stop for many migratory bird species. Inhabited since ancient times, it features remnants of Etruscan walls and its town centre boasts historic sites, including ancient gates, the Guzman powder magazine, the Governor's Palace, the Cathedral, and the churches of Santa Maria delle Grazie, San Francesco, and San Giuseppe. Grosseto another stop along the route, is known for its well-preserved Medici walls, historic medieval center, and proximity to the Maremma Regional Park and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Other ancient cities include Montepescali, Monte Antico, Buonconvento, and Monteroni d'Arbia, each offering a glimpse into authentic Italian life away from the tourist crowds.
The Gran Confort carriages, designed for the Trans Europe Express in the 1970s and 1980s, offer a blend of vintage luxury and modern comfort, featuring reclining velvet seats, lounge areas, and double-glazed panoramic windows. An onboard bar serves coffee, aperitifs, and snacks, while accommodating bulky luggage like bicycles. Tickets start at €29 (about $33.99), making it a budget-friendly alternative to luxury trains like the Orient Express. The Siena Express provides an authentic vintage train experience and supports Italy's initiative for sustainable tourism, simplifying access to regions usually reliant on car rentals or bus connections.
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