A train journey to discover the Tosco-Emiliano Apennine area
Jump on board the Porrettana Express
Pistoia
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Porrettana Express is an experience intended for families and kids, with educational workshops and guided visits to the stations along the route.
At last, at last! the Porrettana Express train is coming back! 7 trips between July and October will liven up the Tosco-Emiliano Apennine area. Find out about the 2021 programme.
As an extraordinary exception, travellers on the Porretta Express’ first train in 2021 can choose between two destinations: Pracchia on the Pistoia side of the Apennines, or else Porretta Terme on the Emilia-Romagna side (as long as there are enough available seats).
The passengers who decide to get off at Pracchia can visit the Pistoia Mountains Ecomuseum at Maresca and Pontepetri; while for those who choose Porretta Terme as their destination, the Festa degli Alpini -the Alpini Party – will be waiting for them, as well as a visit to the DEMM Museum (dedicated to the steelworks industry and to the Italian motorcycle industry from 1919 to 1988) and the Soul Festival’s famous wall paintings.
You can only buy tickets online on www.porrettanaexpress.it.
Alighting at Pracchia
11.30 a.m. – Arrival at Pracchia. By GT (Gran Turismo) Bus, transfer to Pontepetri or Maresca. When the passengers who have chosen this destination get off the train, they will be shown where the coaches, which will take them to Pontepetri or Maresca, are waiting to pick them up.
1.30 p.m. – Lunch at Pracchia
Free to lunch where and how you wish or at one of the recommended restaurants (to be booked by yourselves before the event)
2.45 p.m. – Departures of groups by GT Bus and visits to Pontepetri and Maresca, taking it in turns.
5.00 p.m. – Return to Pracchia
5.55 p.m. – Train departing for Pistoia
6.26 p.m. – Arrival at Pistoia
Alighting at Porretta Terme
1.50 a.m.. – Arrival at Porretta Terme Station
The passengers alight and the group is welcomed
12.15 p.m. – Lunch at Porretta Terme
Free to lunch where and how you wish or at one of the recommended restaurants (to be booked by yourselves before the event).
2.00 p.m. – Visit to the DEMM Museum and the Soul Museum
Passengers will be divided into two groups and will be accompanied by a tourist guide; they will visit – taking it in turns – the DEMM Museum (dedicated to the steelworkers industry and to the Italian motorcycle industry, active from 1919 to 1988) and to the SOUL museum with its wall paintings dedicated to the Soul Festival itself.
4.30 p.m. – The passengers meet up at Porretta Terme Station
5.25 p.m. – Train departing for Pistoia
6.26 p.m. – Arrival at Pistoia
Contacts
Included
Visit to the Pistoia’s Deposit of Historic Steam Engines.
Organized visits together with tourist and environmental guides
Not included
Packed lunch.
Information about agreements with local restaurants:
- Porretta
I.A.T. Informazioni e Accoglienza Turistica
Tel. +39 0534 521103 (Francesca Lucchese); +39 0534 521157 (Mauro Picchioni)
iat@comune.altorenoterme.bo.it (Tue-Sat: 9.30-12.30, 16.00-18.00; Sun 9.30-12-30) - Pracchia
Bar Pizzeria La Magona – Tel. +39 0573-766446
Albergo Ristorante Melini – Tel. +39 0573-490026 - Pontepetri
Osteria De’ Mammalucchi – Tel. +39 0573-65452
Other info
Starting at 8.30 a.m., the traveller’s arrival and check-in procedures will take place at the gates arranged by the organization; as well as a Visit to Pistoia’s “Deposit of Historic Steam Trains”, with participants divided into groups, guided by Italvapore’s staff.