Last places available on trains for the Santa Maria Maggiore Christmas Market (December 8th, 9th, 10th). Special fares from Domodossola to Locarno to reach the new major event Winterland (until January 7th) and from Locarno to visit the Domodossola Christmas Market scheduled for December 16th and 17th.
After the great success of the Foliage® Train, which in just under a month transported 35,000 passengers along the tracks of the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway, the line connecting Domodossola to Locarno is gearing up for its winter attire, offering passengers unprecedented views between Italy and Switzerland. The trains, with a long history behind them (the Railway is celebrating its first 100 years of life these days), are the ideal means to reach some of the most beloved Christmas events between Lake Maggiore and the Piedmont Alps: from the Santa Maria Maggiore Christmas Market, one of the largest in Europe, to Winterland in Locarno, to the Christmas markets in Domodossola. In addition to convenience and environmental sustainability, the route of the railway itself exudes wonder even in this season, especially if you are lucky enough to embark on the journey immediately after or during a snowfall. The winter landscape offers panoramic views of the Valley of the Painters, the Val Vigezzo, and the Centovalli: enchanting landscapes, picturesque villages, and unforgettable sunsets.
SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE CHRISTMAS MARKET
The very last special tickets are available online to reach Santa Maria Maggiore from December 8th to 10th for the famous Christmas Market, now in its 24th edition, which will attract a very large audience as always, thanks to the high quality of the over 200 carefully selected exhibitors. Traveling to the capital of Val Vigezzo by train, as well as being an environmentally sustainable choice, is also synonymous with convenience and avoids traffic and parking issues. To respond to the many requests from users, special trains have been added, but they are almost sold out. The ticket, valid for one day, includes a round trip journey from Domodossola or Locarno to Santa Maria Maggiore in 2nd class, includes mandatory seat reservation, and any panoramic supplement.
All information here:
https://www.vigezzinacentovalli.com/esperienze/mercatini-santa-maria-maggiore.html
Locarno – Santa Maria Maggiore (2nd class)
Adults: € 20.00 / CHF 20.-
Children 6-16 years old: € 10.00 / CHF 10.-
Children 0-6 years old: € 4.00 / CHF 5.-
Domodossola – Santa Maria Maggiore (2nd class)
Adults: € 15.00
Children 6-16 years old: € 15.00
Children 0-6 years old: € 4.00
Availability from Domodossola is almost sold out, so the advice for travelers arriving from the Milan area is, in case of lack of seats from Domodossola, to depart from the Swiss terminus of Locarno, which can be conveniently reached from Milan Centrale with an hourly train connection TILO RE80.
WINTERLAND – LOCARNO
Switzerland also offers a major Christmas event: inaugurated on November 24th, Winterland is the novelty of winter in Locarno, on the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore: the event’s setting is the extraordinary Piazza Grande, a stone’s throw from the lakeside promenade, in the ancient heart of the Ticino town, which will host a sparkling ice rink, a Christmas market with picturesque stalls, big concerts with Italian music stars, an ice toboggan, and immersive video projections. A special ticket, costing only € 24 (round trip departing from Domodossola), allows you to easily reach Locarno with trains from the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway. The price includes a round trip journey in 2nd class, seat reservation, and any panoramic supplement. No intermediate stop is allowed. For all details: https://www.vigezzinacentovalli.com/esperienze/locarno-winterland.html
Rates in 2nd class (Domodossola – Locarno round trip)
Adults: € 24.00
Children (6-16 years old): € 12.00
Children (up to 6 years old): € 4.00
DOMODOSSOLA CHRISTMAS MARKET
On Saturday, December 16th, and Sunday, December 17th, the traditional Christmas Markets return to the historic center of Domodossola: among the streets and squares of the Borgo della Cultura, visitors can meet about 160 exhibitors. The Domodossola Christmas markets are one of the most beloved Christmas events in the Ossola Valley, appreciated both for the authentic atmosphere of the festively adorned historic center of Domodossola and for the variety and quality of the products on display: handicrafts, artisanal products, and excellent food and wine products create a rich and suggestive picture full of scents. The splendid ancient heart of the Ossola capital, elegantly illuminated and embellished with luminous installations and the large Christmas tree in Piazza Mercato, frames the event. The Domodossola Christmas Markets, born in 1997, are the perfect opportunity to buy original gift ideas and at the same time discover unique views of the Ossola village. The Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway also offers a special ticket for this event departing from Locarno.
Rates in 2nd class (Locarno – Domodossola round trip)
Adults: € 24.00
Children (6-16 years old): € 12.00
Children (up to 6 years old): € 4.00
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Domodossola Ticket Office – Phone: +39 0324 242055
Locarno Ticket Office – Phone: +41 (0)91 7518731
Photo by Paolo Martelletti.
