Italy is one of the most popular destinations thanks to its rich heritage, delicious food and glorious weather but now the country has a new favourite attraction.

A beautiful vintage Italian train that has carriages from the 1930s and 1950 is luring tourists off the beaten track.

Spanning 62 miles the Italian Transiberian rail line, also known as the Park Railway, crosses the forests of the Majella National park and the Abruzzo highlands, giving tourists on board a glimpse of hidden hamlets.

Whilst braving huge viaducts the route slips into gorges, winds round mountains and snakes into 58 tunnels.

It was the first of some 1,000 kilometres of line to have re-opened under a project by Fondazione FS, part of state-controlled national rail company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS).

The train departs from Sulmona between 8:45 and 9:00am with a same-day return trip. 

After climbing up almost 1,000 metres in altitude, the Transiberian’s first stop is in Palena, a charming mountain village located in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. The route features long stops where visitors can explore the stunning Italian villages.

Situated within the Majella National Park, Palena provides an authentic experience of Italian rural life.

Traditional folk music accompanies people getting off the train, with local delicacies and products by local artisans awaiting them at the station.

The train helps several small towns along the line, Milan’s Bocconi University estimates that for every euro spent by passengers on tickets which cost between 30 euros and 70 euros a further three euros are spent on food, accommodation, tours and souvenirs.

During the trip, on-board guides describe the history of the railroad and the geography of the area being crossed. 

Luigi Cantamessa of Fondazione FS told Reuters“These are tracks that have lived through different eras, they have carried soldiers to the front, cows to pasture, they were mistakenly considered unproductive during the 1960s and 70s but are now once again of value.

“It’s for those who don’t want mass market, cluttered destinations. A conscious traveller, who is looking for something special.

“These are not trips that serve you frozen pizza for lunch.”

The “Timeless tracks” project takes tourists to forgotten parts of Italy, offering an alternative to the fast-paced, mass tourism of the major cities and the route has proved a hit as 45,000 tourists a year travel across its 13 lines.

Fondazione FS expects to open two new ones by 2026, both in the southern region of Sicily.