Espresso Riviera, the new train from Milan to the French Riviera

While controversy rages over the construction sites on the network announced on 31 July by Trenitalia (the parent company of the SBB group's passenger hub), which will particularly affect high-speed trains in August with delays and cancellations, the new SBB group company Treni Turistici Italiani (Tti) is expanding its offer. The presentation of the Espresso Riviera Milano Centrale-Nice was held in Nice, in the presence of the managing director of Fs Treni Turistici Italiani, Luigi Cantamessa, and the managing director of Trenitalia France, Marco Caposciutti. The new connection will operate from Saturday3 August to Sunday 1 September.

An initiative organised on French territory, together with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Nice, with the intention of fully exploiting the link between the passenger hub of the FS group and France. The international service was made possible thanks to the availability of Sncf Reseau, the French infrastructure manager. "This service," explains a note from the FS group, "is an important step towards a railway tourism capable of integrating territories and offering a different service thanks to the restaurant car and the baggage carriage where bulky luggage or sports equipment can be stored.

The Espresso Riviera will travel everySaturday and Sunday in August and until 1 September (starting 3 August) with departures fromMilan Centrale at 7.35 a.m. and arrival in Nice at 1.58 p.m.. Intermediate stops will be scheduled in the stations of Pavia, Genoa Porta Principe (arrival 09.49; departure 10.00), Varazze (10.34), Savona (10.44), Albenga (11.25), Alassio (11.33), Diano (11.44), Imperia (11.48), Sanremo (12.03), Bordighera (12.14), Ventimiglia (12.22), Menton (13.26), Monaco-Monte-Carlo (13. 38). The return from Nice is scheduled at 17.12, arriving at Milano Centrale at 23.40.

Says Cantamessa: "This year's Riviera Express is the first step in a fascinating connection. It represents a new opportunity to rediscover the pleasure of travelling by train, allowing passengers to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and picturesque locations along the way. It is not just a journey, but an experience that allows travellers to experience the 'beautiful journey' from the comfort of the dining car or in the privacy of compartments specially designed for those seeking comfort and privacy".

Tickets for travel aboard Espresso Riviera can be purchased on the website www.fstrenituristici.it and on all Trenitalia sales channels, apps, station ticket offices and self service. For further information call 337 1481776