the american newspaper The New York Times has chosen two Italian train routes among the five best rail experiences in Europe this fall. The selection includes Vigezzina Centovalli railway and the traditional tram Opicina, both operating in northern Italy.
The Vigezzina Centovalli Railway, also known as the “Leaf Train,” connects Locarno, Switzerland, to Domodossola, Piedmont, crossing a region of alpine valleys, chestnut forests, vineyards, and historic villages.
“Leaving behind the palm-fringed coasts and flower-filled gardens of Locarno, the tram-like carriages move at a slow pace, sometimes disappearing into the shadowy depths of forests and the darkness of tunnels, and then reemerging as they cross Alpine rivers,” described the New York Times.
The journey starts at €24 (approximately R$152) and ends in the Italian city of Domodossola. The arrival station is near Piazza Mercato, known for its Gothic arches, trattorias, and historic cafés—worth a stop.
Trieste's historic tram returns to service
The second route highlighted by NYT This is the Opicina tram, the last of its kind still operating in Trieste. Reopened in 2025 after nearly a decade of renovations, the route connects Piazza Dalmazia, near the sea, to the Opicina district.
"Leaving behind the bustling city center with its cozy cafes, the tram makes a brief technical stop. Attached to a funicular, it begins a steep climb past luxurious villas. Soon, a panoramic view of the city opens up over the neighboring gardens, with the Adriatic in the background," the newspaper described.
The journey covers just over five kilometers in 35 minutes, with tickets costing 1,85 euros (around R$12).
The other railway experiences listed by NYT are the MiraDouro train in Portugal, the Alsace Wine Route in France, and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in the United Kingdom.
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