AN EXPRESS overnight rail is now linking one of Europe’s most historic cities with a sun-soaked beach destination.
The Italian initiative comes as a bid to bring in more tourists on select dates over summer.
The service will run between Rome and the southern Puglia region, also known as the “heel” in Italy’s “boot”.
Dubbed Espresso Salento, the new tourist-targeting train adds to the FS Treni Turistici Italiani stable.
It connects the historic Italian capital with the city of Lecce.
The first trains departed on Thursday.
A statement from the train company FS Italiene said it was “making the journey itself part of the holiday”.
It added the destination region “combines the shades of blue of its crystalline sea with the iconic coastal towns characterized by a unique and unmistakable style.
“Places rich in history, culture and tradition that in the summer season experience their maximum in terms of flow … require ever greater mobility in a sustainable way.”
Holidaymakers using the service take off from Rome at 9:10pm, with restaurant dining also aboard.
Stops include Caserta and Foggia, before the train speeds down south with drop-offs at Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Fasano, Ostuni, Carovigno and Brindisi.
It then reaches its final destination Lecce, scheduled to arrive by 8:45am the following morning.
There are only three more opportunities for travellers to make the journey from Rome, however.
They are Thursday July 25, Tuesday August 13 and Thursday August 22.
Coming from Lecce to Rome, trains depart Friday July 26, Wednesday August 14 and Friday August 23.
It’s an extra option for sun-seeking Brits to spend time exploring the wonders of Rome before venturing to the south of Italy for the heat and hidden-cove beaches Puglia provides.
Puglia is considered relatively untouched by tourists compared with other beachy regions of Italy like the Amalfi Coast, making for a less-crowded trip.
Lecce is even called the “Florence of the south” in a nod to its impressive architecture.
There is also a new sleeper service connected Milan with the lesser-known city.
Italy is the third-most visited destination for Brits behind France and Spain, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
Travellers can see full details about Espresso Salento on the FS Treni Turistici Italiani website.
