Yet the small Italian city hosts a little-known wonder one that’s constantly on the move.
If not, users can add new ones.
Likewise, it’s possible to vote for multiple sites.
Credit: Federico Santagati
“Most people have more than one place they love,” says Armiraglio.
Plus, the time had come to move again.
My main indulgence was simple: staring out the window.
Federico Santagati
Tractors upturned coffee-colored soil, while previously tilled fields took on a dull hue in the haze.
Tan trees stood naked, with only a whisper of green on their outer extremities.
Signs of spring could even be found inside the train.
Teenage students lounged on what looked like a curved couch framed by a large picture window.
Sitting in more traditional rows was a group of four women chatting in French and holding shopping bags.
Climbing into the mountains behind Cuneo, the engine began to strain.
According to Armiraglio, the train connects students to the universities in Turin.
Increasing the number of trains per day would improve accessibility.
The railway makes extensive use of viaducts, bridges, and tunnels to navigate the steep terrain.
The railway can thus gain vertical elevation in a relatively short horizontal distance.
More impressive is that many of these architectural wonders were originally constructed in the early 20th century.
Repairs only began in the 1970s, after France and Italy signed another international agreement.
While ridership has never fully recovered, there’s a renewed interest in the line, particularly in France.
Likewise, Saorge balances on a precipitous hillside above the tracks, offering the promise of seclusion.
The second half of the journey was more gliding than straining.
It’s almost jarring how smooth and quiet the ride is on any descent.
After we passed back into Italy, the riverbed grew larger, until it resembled a carpet of rocks.
Circling seagulls portended the sea.
At Ventimiglia, I boarded a train operated by SNCF to Nice.
I watched the blues of the early night sky melt into blues of the Mediterranean.
