The luxury train Settebello was Italy’s answer to glamorous travel in the 1950s.
With its sleek design and all-first-class service, it quickly became a symbol of elegance on rails.
Designed for speed and style, this Italian train offered everything from fine dining to panoramic lounges.
In fact, it may be more luxurious than many cruises today.
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The Settebello hit the tracks in 1952, operating between Milan and Naples.
It was officially known as the ETR 300, but ‘Settebello’ just sounds cooler (and means ‘lucky seven’ in Italian).
The luxury train had seven cars, was powered by electricity, and looked like it came from the future.
Yes, the Settebello was an electric train more than 70 years before the launch of Tesla’s all-electric ‘Giga Train’.
Famous designers Giò Ponti and Giulio Minoletti gave it a look to match.
It was smooth, shiny, and super modern, turning heads every time it pulled into a station.
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane/Flickr
This wasn’t just a pretty face either.
The Settebello was fast, at least for the 1950s.
It zipped along at up to 100mph, making it the fastest train in Italy at the time.
But it wasn’t just about speed; it was about how you felt while traveling.
The interiors were a blend of comfort and luxury, featuring plush seating, elegant dining cars, and even observation lounges at both ends of the train.
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane/Flickr
The Italian train also offered many modern amenities, like an onboard newstand, a cloakroom, bar, restaurant, radio, air conditioning, and even a public telephone.
Passengers could enjoy panoramic views of the Italian landscape while sipping espresso in style.
Riding the Settebello wasn’t just about getting from Milan to Rome—it was an experience not unlike this five-star luxury train in Saudi Arabia.
It became a symbol of Italy’s post-war economic boom and its growing reputation for design and innovation.
The luxury train was exclusively first-class, catering to those who appreciated the finer things in life.
In 1984, the Settebello was retired, after over three decades of service.
However, its legacy lives on.
In recent years, efforts have been made to restore the last remaining train set, ETR 302, to its former glory.
Thanks to the Fondazione FS, the Settebello has been making occasional appearances on special routes.
If you end up getting paid to move to Italy, you might be able to catch a glimpse of this historic train.
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