This is a golden moment for the historic Italian Tourist Train fleet, with the FS Group bringing them back into the spotlight. 

Extolling the timeless appeal of rail travel 

Extolling the appeal of rail travel that combines comfort, authenticity and sustainability, Luigi Cantamessa, CEO of FS Treni Turistici Italiani and Director General of the Fondazione FS Italiane, said: “What could be better than a train that travels to the Italian provinces and brings wealth? This is what Treni Turistici Italiani is doing, taking over the entire historic fleet and refitting new, sustainable carriages that have been completely renovated and are made in Italy.”

Seasonal departures that enhance the beauty of Italy

From the Alps to Sicily, Italy’s enchanting cities and villages are ready to be explored, thanks to the extensive railway network. This widespread connectivity reflects a deep global fascination with Italy and a growing passion for sustainable train travel. It is a time of great success for historical trains and Italian tourist trains,- concluded Cantamess, adding some eagerly awaited news: the launch of the Settebello in 2026. Since its founding on 15 December 2023, with the maiden voyage of the Espresso Cadore from Rome to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the company has expanded its offer, introducing a series of seasonal departures designed to enhance the beauty of Italy through slow and sustainable tourism. Last summer, FS Treni Turistici Italiani launched itineraries designed to reach many of the most popular destinations. 

FS Treni turistici - Summer itineraries in Cortina

The itineraries have cultural, food and wine themes

The Espresso Versilia connects Milan to the resorts of Liguria and Versilia, while the Espresso Riviera takes passengers along the Riviera dei Fiori to the French Riviera. Beach tourism was also the focus of the Espresso Salento, which travels from Rome to Lecce, passing through the main cities of Puglia. In the autumn, the focus shifted to itineraries dedicated to culture and food and wine traditions. L' Espresso Assisi connected Rome with the city of Saint Francis, proposing a journey dedicated to religious tourism. The Espresso Langhe-Monferrato, on the other hand, offered a unique experience for wine lovers, with an overnight trip from Rome to Alba to discover Piedmont's excellent wines. Winter saw the success of the Sicilia Express, a train connecting Turin to Palermo and Syracuse, combining culture and gastronomy, while the Spa Train travels to Abano Terme from Milan, offering wellness packages and dedicated stays in one of Italy's most renowned spa destinations.

Evocative routes to world heritage sites 

Alongside the modernized tourist trains, FS Treni Turistici Italiani operates in cooperation with the Fondazione FS Italiane, which manages a heritage of around 500 historic vehicles and over 1,000 kilometres of restored railway lines. Among the most evocative routes, the Trans-Siberian Railway of Italy crosses the Apennines between Abruzzo and Molise, the Temples Railway leads to the discovery of ancient Akragas and the Valley of the Temples, while the Val d'Orcia Railway allows visitors to admire Tuscan landscapes which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Until March it will be possible to travel on the Ferrovia dei Parchi, which connects Sulmona to Campo di Giove, while on the occasion of the Festivities for the Flowering Almonds the Mandorlo in Fiore Express will return, bringing passengers to the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples directly by train.

The Unahotels brand expands in Catania with a new franchising agreement for the historic Villa del Bosco.

Villa del Bosco becomes a lifestyle, spa & wellness hotel

Proposed as a lifestyle, spa & wellness hotel, the new Unahotels in Catania is a franchising agreement with the MHG Italy group, already a partner of the Una Group with the Unahotels One Siracusa. The Villa del Bosco, currently under renovation, will officially open its doors next April, thus boosting the company's presence in the city alongside the Palace Catania Una Esperienze.

A spa with two swimming pools

The Unahotels One Catania will have 55 rooms and suites, the Akademia Restaurant, a gym with Technogym equipment, an 80-seat meeting room, and a spa of over 1,400 sqm on two levels which will include two swimming pools, a hammam, Finnish sauna, emotional showers, and an area for beauty treatments. There will also be multifunctional social spaces designed for work, relaxation and entertainment.

“We intend to expand our presence in Sicily” 

“We are proud to be a partner of Italy's largest hotel chain, having created a distinctive project and brand in the urban spa and wellness segment, inspired by the success of the pilot hotel in Siracusa,. says the CEO of MHG Italy, licensee of the One brand, Donald DeVivo. -In fact, we intend to expand our presence in Sicily and are also looking at the main Italian destinations to acquire urban hotels and redefine meeting areas by converting them into large regenerative wellness oases to attract new generations of global and local travellers.” 

A new look for Rome’s Piazza dei Cinquecento square in front of the Termini railway station, thanks to the redevelopment by the FS Group.

The square is now ready to receive Jubilee pilgrims

This renovation coincides with this 2025 Jubilee year with over 850,000 square feet of surface area of the square completely redeveloped with precious materials. This is one of the essential projects carried out on behalf of the government's extraordinary commissioner for the Jubilee, the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri.  “The recovery of an area like this in front of Rome’s main train station is truly invaluable for the reception of passengers and pilgrims during the Jubilee,- said the FS Group's general director, Stefano Antonio Donnarumma. -As part of a €100 billion investment plan, we are actively collaborating with the Municipality of Rome and the other institutions involved, with this contribution from a state asset that will be 120 years old this year playing an incisive role.” 

A redesigned bus terminal and taxi dock

Roma Termini is Rome's most important railway station, as well as being the largest in Italy in terms of traffic and among the main stations in Europe. The work on the sprawling construction site, in the heart of the eternal City, involved the redevelopment and surface redevelopment of three areas for an expenditure of €45 million and 540 days work, while the perimeter area cost €21 million. This project seeks to strengthen the connection between monuments and the surrounding archaeological sites, while also elevating the architectural and environmental quality of the entire setting. The bus terminal was redesigned with a new taxi dock, a new system of bicycle lanes and a pedestrian area. Some 91% of the works have already been completed, with the remaining 9% on the central part of the square due to to be completed by the summer, ahead of schedule.

This summer Volotea will increase the number of seats offered from Naples Capodichino by 18%.

Volotea flies to 22 destinations from Naples  

This will result in a total of 621,000 seats on offer (525,000 in 2024), while the number of flights operated will rise from 3,115 to 3,571, flying to 22 destinations including Italy, Croatia, France, Greece, Spain and Denmark. There is also news from Salerno, where the company is ready to introduce a new international destination, Marseille, with flights starting on 6 July and operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays.

“We focus on customer satisfaction” 

“For Volotea 2025 is a year of relaunching and strategic growth in Campania, an area to which we are deeply attached. Naples is a key base for our operations, and we continue to invest to guarantee passengers a competitive network of connections. Last year alone we employed up to 58 employees at our Capodichino base – says Valeria Rebasti, international market director of the Spanish airline. -Our objective is to support the economic and tourist development of the region with high quality services, focusing on customer satisfaction and the enhancement of the Campania region.” 

Enhancing the regions’ cultural heritage

Volotea opened its Naples base in 2020, marking a new phase in the city's connectivity to national and international destinations. Since then, the airline has strengthened its commitment to the Campania region, not only through a continuous expansion, but also with initiatives that enhance the region’s cultural heritage. An example of this commitment is the collaboration with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) for the redevelopment of the access area to the Museum from Piazza Cavour, and the creation of a kids-friendly area inside the atrium.

New flights from Marseille to Salerno Airport

“The growth of Volotea's offer on the Campania airport system represents a strategic step for the development of air mobility in our region, - said Margherita Chiaramonte, GESAC’s commercial aviation director. -Naples is a consolidated base, with 22 routes operating during the summer season and a further increase in the number of seats offered, testifies to the solidity of our partnership. At the same time, the new direct flights between Marseille and Salerno are an important step towards boosting the connectivity between the South of France and Southern Italy.”

High above the Ionian coast in Calabria, the ancient hill town of Badolato has been turned into a “village hotel” for visitors.

Less than an hour from an international airport

Badolato beckons travelers seeking authenticity and tranquility. This little hillside town is situated less than an hour south of the bustling town of Catanzaro which has an international airport served by heritage and low-cost carriers. It offers an immersive escape into a Mediterranean rhythm of life that feels untouched by modern haste. And for those arriving by train, nearby Soverato serves as a convenient station before a short drive into the hills.   

Attracting heritage and roots visitors

Once on the verge of abandonment, Badolato has undergone a remarkable transformation. Its cobbled streets and centuries-old houses, many of which stood empty for decades, have found new life as part of an innovative model of slow hospitality. What was once a quiet exodus of emigrants has reversed, welcoming tourists and roots tourism visitors into a vibrant, multicultural community. Today, the village thrives as a "paese albergo" (village hotel), blending historical preservation with sustainable tourism.  

Typical Calabrian delicacies and wines

Visitors will find charm in every corner. The medieval architecture, churches like the Chiesa dell’Immacolata and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Ionian Sea, all exude an enduring spirit. Behind the village, the rugged Serre Calabresi mountains create a dramatic backdrop, offering hiking and nature excursions for those drawn to the outdoors. Local trattorias serve dishes steeped in traditional Calabrian flavours, from spicy ‘nduja sausages to delicate seafood risottos. The typical Cirò wine enhances every bite, and culinary workshops and farm-to-table experiences provide an opportunity to connect more deeply with the area's gastronomic heritage.  

Badolato Marina has two miles of golden beaches

Accommodations in Badolato are as unique as the town itself. Restored historical homes and guesthouses invite guests to experience the authentic character of the village while enjoying modern comforts.  In Badolato, life moves at a thoughtful pace in a harmonious space where past and future coexist. For those seeking a more active holiday on the coast about five miles below the old town Badolato Marina offers two miles of golden beaches, with shops, restaurants and small hotels and guest houses. Whether for a weekend or a longer stay Badolato and its surrounds are certain to stay with visitors long after they depart.

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