After Christmas, life begins again in the rhythms of everyday life, so quickly that it almost seems as if we suddenly wake up from a beautiful dream. Returning to the daily madness is not always easy, but perhaps it is SiViaggia we found a solution to take it all in stride, as if the dream never ends: a romantic trip on the most picturesque train in Italy (and with an interesting discount not to be missed).
Two people travel by paying only one ticket
From January 8 to March 3 you can take advantage of a promotion that allows you to do this travel for two for just 37 euros. This means that 2 people travel for the price of one ticket. But where? On the extraordinary and unique Vigezzina-Centovalli railway, an Italian-Swiss route offers dreamlike views and truly unique experiences.
The promotion is called “Winter for 2” and it works in a very simple way: you need to go to the official website of the railway and buy two tickets for the route Domodossola-Locarno or Locarno-Domodossola (valid for one or two days, with the possibility of making only one intermediate stop paying half ).
Two tickets, return, are valid for travel along the entire line – with departure from the Italian terminal station Domodossola or from Ticino Locarno and with the option of an intermediate stop to visit the territories crossed – only one ticket is always paid (37 euros per couple, including the seat and any surcharge for travel on panoramic trains).
Vigezzina-Centovalli railway
The wonderful Vigezzina-Centovalli railway crosses territories that are always the same and always different. Magic that also happens for trains that have been running on the tracks since 1923 Domodossola and Locarno with views that offer really special emotions in the winter season.
It is loved by everyone who has ridden it, especially for the Foliage Train, but in reality, it is a route capable of filling the heart and soul with joy 365 days a year, including this winter, when this unmissable event is planned.
Yes, because winter sunsets along section 52 km via Italian-Swiss convoys can offer panoramas of rare charm. And if you’re lucky enough to admire them as a couple – but they don’t disappoint alone or in the company of family or friends – it can turn into a magical experience.
While waiting for the snowflakes, the white and blue trains are already running today along the Central Mountain route, where thanks to the winter clothing of the vegetation, the view opens wide towards the peaks of the Val Vigezzo and the historic villages laid out in an incredible harmony between Italy and Switzerland.
Stops and visits
The two final stations, Domodossola and Locarno, deserve a thorough tour, even during the short winter days. Among other things, the capital city of Ossola is changing its appearance as it completes the total reconstruction of its historic center and expands the area closed to car traffic: from the Domodossola train station, you can reach the charming Piazza Mercato, the beating heart of the city, in a few steps, and then the renovated and pedestrianized Via Rosmini and from there, walk towards the UNESCO monument Sacro Monte Calvario. Another must-see attraction is the Civic Museums of Palazzo San Francesco (open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
Locarno is certainly no less fascinating because it presents itself to the traveler with a double soul: romantic, thanks to the view of the Swiss shore of Lake Maggiore, to be admired while walking along the elegant lake promenade, but also intimate and historical in the streets of the oldest heart, in the magnificent Piazza Grande – one of the most beautiful in the entire canton of Ticino – or at Visconti Castle.
Another unmissable destination is the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso, in a panoramic position with a stunning view of Lake Maggiore, reachable on foot or by bus (FART line 3). For those looking for well-being and relaxation, the destination is “Termali Salini & Spa”, a paradise with hot thermal water. Here, visitors will be able to indulge in an elegant design journey on two floors with natural salt water at a temperature of 40°, a Turkish bath, a sauna, jets, and waterfalls for regenerating moments overlooking the lake: one of the emotions that is hard to forget.
The Vigezzo Valley, the kingdom of winter sports thanks to the Piana di Vigezzo station, at an altitude of 1,700 meters, is also worth a visit. In addition, passengers on the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway can, upon agreement, take advantage of favorable discounts for trips to the Vigezzina slopes (and, conversely, skiers will be able to take advantage of promotions for boarding trains).
However, you can’t get to the altitude just by skiing, because with snowshoes on your feet, you can go on numerous routes suitable even for less skilled tourists. Then there’s the “Saturdays on the Plain” initiative, which combines delicious food and wine with magical night tours.
Wine lovers will also have great satisfaction with slow outdoor activity because Val Vigezzo offers an almost 15 km long hiking trail immersed in a spruce pine forest, which can also be used on snowshoes.
After crossing the border, a modern cable car leaves from Orselin and Locarno, which takes you to an altitude of 1,300 meters. Cardada where special moonlight evening trips with snowshoes and a typical dinner are offered in January and February.
In the main center of the painting valley, Santa Maria Maggiore, there are two museums worth visiting that can easily be defined as unique: the Casa del Profumo Feminis-Farina, which tells the all-Italian story of one of the oldest famous perfumes in the world, L’Colognewhich was born thanks to the ingenuity of two emigrants from Vigezzo, and the recently renovated and expanded School of Fine Arts “Rossetti Valentini”, which houses the artistic treasures of the Valley of the Painters (both museums will be open every weekend and to ticket holders).
After Christmas, life begins again in the rhythms of everyday life, so quickly that it almost seems as if we suddenly wake up from a beautiful dream. Returning to the daily madness is not always easy, but perhaps it is SiViaggia we found a solution to take it all in stride, as if the dream never ends: a romantic trip on the most picturesque train in Italy (and with an interesting discount not to be missed).
Locarno is certainly no less fascinating because it presents itself to the traveler with a double soul: romantic, thanks to the view of the Swiss shore of Lake Maggiore, to be admired while walking along the elegant lake promenade, but also intimate and historical in the streets of the oldest heart, in the magnificent Piazza Grande – one of the most beautiful in the entire canton of Ticino – or at Visconti Castle.
Another unmissable destination is the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso, in a panoramic position with a stunning view of Lake Maggiore, reachable on foot or by bus (FART line 3). For those looking for well-being and relaxation, the destination is “Termali Salini & Spa”, a paradise with hot thermal water. Here, visitors will be able to indulge in an elegant design journey on two floors with natural salt water at a temperature of 40°, a Turkish bath, a sauna, jets, and waterfalls for regenerating moments overlooking the lake: one of the emotions that is hard to forget.
The Vigezzo Valley, the kingdom of winter sports thanks to the Piana di Vigezzo station, at an altitude of 1,700 meters, is also worth a visit. In addition, passengers on the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway can, upon agreement, take advantage of favorable discounts for trips to the Vigezzina slopes (and, conversely, skiers will be able to take advantage of promotions for boarding trains).
However, you can’t get to the altitude just by skiing, because with snowshoes on your feet, you can go on numerous routes suitable even for less skilled tourists. Then there’s the “Saturdays on the Plain” initiative, which combines delicious food and wine with magical night tours.
Wine lovers will also have great satisfaction with slow outdoor activity because Val Vigezzo offers an almost 15 km long hiking trail immersed in a spruce pine forest, which can also be used on snowshoes.
After crossing the border, a modern cable car leaves from Orselin and Locarno, which takes you to an altitude of 1,300 meters. Cardada where special moonlight evening trips with snowshoes and a typical dinner are offered in January and February.
In the main center of the painting valley, Santa Maria Maggiore, there are two museums worth visiting that can easily be defined as unique: the Casa del Profumo Feminis-Farina, which tells the all-Italian story of one of the oldest famous perfumes in the world, L’Colognewhich was born thanks to the ingenuity of two emigrants from Vigezzo, and the recently renovated and expanded School of Fine Arts “Rossetti Valentini”, which houses the artistic treasures of the Valley of the Painters (both museums will be open every weekend and to ticket holders).
