Three hours in the Executive Class of Frecciarossa 1000
9th January 2020 by Alexander
The Frecciarossa train allows us, happy people, to get from Rome to Milan as fast as possible without leaving the ground. And — since we are talking about the Executive Class — it is also a good way to make your trip uncommonly laid-back. Keep reading and learn why exactly.
Departing from Rome
Piazza dei Cinquecento, the square in front of the Roma Termini station, is full of magnificent and elegant trees known as umbrella pines. On the morning of my departure, this species name suits the weather. A light rain adds a certain detail to the view — the flecks of umbrellas in hands of pedestrians.
This place is a big transport hub, with a bus station and subway entrances. Unquestionably, the most important facility here is the railway station. Its giant concrete building dominates the area and extends for a few blocks in depth. The construction is pretty much minimal in terms of decorative elements, yet it has a playfully curved roof above the entrance hall.
Roma Termini is really big. There are 29 train tracks, serving the entire range of lines and types: from regional to high-speed. Track exits are equipped with metal detection arches, and men in uniforms perform quick control. I have a ticket that gives access to the separate “Fast Track” gate — which, presumably, is a real advantage during peak hours. Although, now it’s early enough to feel the difference.
Of course, the station is stuffed with all the necessary and additional ingredients that modern times ask for. A luggage storage, an information desk, ATMs and restrooms. Dozens of shops that sell almost everything — from books to clothes. A number of cafes on the upper level called Terrazza Termini. Free Wi-Fi is offered as well: in order to get connected you have to enter your phone number and receive a special code.
Along the way, I learn the Italian word which means departure and go to the track number four. The train is ready for boarding 20 minutes before the partenze.
This is the Frecciarossa 1000, an eight-car high-speed train, operated by Trenitalia. The vehicle offers four different stages of service: Standard, Premium, Business and Executive. My ticket is for the latter, the most high-priced and fancy. So, I am ready to be impressed.
Inside the Executive Class of Frecciarossa 1000
Well, I am impressed from the very beginning. The first thing that stands out in this car is a great amount of free space. It’s quite uncommon for any train, where design traditionally has to be somehow restricted and tight. That is why I have a feeling that I am inside some sort of a house.
The next notable feature here is the armchairs which — at least by my modest backpacker standards — are insanely huge. There are only ten of them in the whole car, and they all look rather like massage chairs than train seats. Each has an adjustable back and moving leg support. The armrests are wide. The upholstery is made of leather, and even its color has a posh and expensive-sounding name. The marketing specialists of the transport company call it the champagne color.
There are two built-in power sockets in every seat — on a lower surface of one of the armrests. And on the upper side there is a set of buttons for the adjustment control. So, relaxed passengers can change the position of their backs and legs while staying seated. The thing works smoothly and, from what I can tell while the train is moving, quietly.
In a few minutes after the ride starts, the car hostess appears and offers newspapers. I can’t read the local ones, as I speak English only, so she kindly brings me a fresh issue of The New York Times.
If you prefer less old-fashioned media, you can entertain yourself by downloading the mobile app from Trenitalia. It guarantees “movies, cartoons, music, newspapers and much more just a click away!” Another option is to open a browser on your smartphone and get real-time information about the location and the speed of the train.
From time to time our Frecciarossa gains a significant speed. The highest mark I see during this trip is 299 km/h, which is exciting (you win just by a tiny bit, TGV Duplex!). Anyway, I am too comfortable to enjoy the speed in full. My body is somewhere between sitting and lying. My newspaper is open at the story about the new auctionary price record by Jeff Koons. And apart from all that luster, the hostess gives me a menu with a long list of meals to choose from.
My choice is a breakfast with yoghurt and fruit salad. An important addition is a cup of espresso. The fruits are fresh. The coffee is — as it is always in Italy — perfect. Everything is nicely served. And there is a complimentary bar of dark chocolate. By the way, the fixture that helps me to enjoy my meal properly is also a part of the chair. It is a table which hides inside one of the armrests and unfolds in three steps.
But enough of praising the armchairs! I’d better switch my attention to the route and the outside view — before this short trip is over.
The route between Rome and Milan
As you already know, the starting point of this journey is the Roma Termini station. The length of the whole route is about 500 kilometers. A high-speed train takes its passengers from Rome to Milan in three hours. The path goes through a big part of Italian territory via Florence and Bologna.
The scenery offers a good deal of fields, hills and nice tiny towns, with mountains in the background. It is pleasant to look at, even when the weather is cloudy. Please note, though, that there is also a fair number of tunnels (thanks to the Apennines, I guess). As from my impression, we spend nearly a third of the trip inside them. Still, the landscape shows itself as often as it can, and that’s great.
The trip ends at Milano Centrale, the main railway station of the capital of Lombardy. This station is rather spectacular and it awaits you in yet another illustrated text [a link to the blog post about the trip from Milan to Venice (the next one)] — check it out and stay tuned for more!
The end of the trip
Lucky me: by the time the train arrives in Milan, the weather changes for the better. Now it’s sunny, and this adds a lovely final touch to my pleasant traveling experience with Frecciarossa 1000. I leave this 200-meter-long vehicle under the tall arcs of the station — it probably wants to have some rest.
Fun fact: the name Frecciarossa means red arrow, and, quite interestingly, there is another train which has the title of the same meaning. It is the Russian night train “Krasnaya Strela” (which is also translated as “Red Arrow”) — perhaps, the most legendary one on the route between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
A short conclusion
If to be as brief as possible, that was awesome! If to add a bit more, I’d say that I like to travel in a good company of obvious coziness and perfect service. I can also note that the level of comfort in the Executive Class is in a way beyond the necessity (I am fine with simple things as well).
On the other hand, if you, apart from getting fast from point A to point B, want to enjoy the feeling of importance and success, this is the perfect choice. Anyway, I dare you to try this at least once. Here are some informative links about timetables, prices and getting the tickets: Omio, Trainline, and Italiarail. Have fun and get the best from this life!
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