Food & Drink

Turin is one of Italy’s most refined and underrated cities — a place of grand boulevards, royal palaces and café culture that feels distinctly different from the rest of the country. Nestled beneath the Alps in northern Italy, the city was once the capital of the powerful House of Savoy  and later became the first capital of unified Italy. Today Turin blends aristocratic elegance, rich culinary traditions and vibrant modern culture. Arriving by train, the city reveals itself

Bordeaux  is one of France’s best hub cities. Elegant, walkable and brilliantly connected by TER regional trains, it makes exploring southwest France effortless. Here are five easy, rewarding day trips — all under 2 hours. 1. Saint-Émilion (35–40 mins) Frequent TER trains from Bordeaux Saint-Jean. A UNESCO-listed medieval wine town surrounded by vineyards. What to see: Monolithic underground church Tour du Roy views Cobbled lanes Lunch idea: terrace dining with Grand Cru wine

Cefalu There are few train journeys in Sicily as rewarding as the short coastal ride from Palermo to Cefalù. In less than an hour, the energy of Palermo gives way to golden beaches, honey-coloured medieval streets, and the dramatic outline of La Rocca rising behind one of Sicily’s most beautiful seaside towns. If you’re staying in Palermo and want sea air, history, and a slower rhythm without hiring a car, Cefalù is the perfect self-guided day trip. Why Visit Cefalù? Cefalù b

Vineyards, Medieval Towns & French Life — All Under One Hour The landscape of Beaujolais at Saint Laurent d'Oingt Often overlooked as a base, Lyon  is one of France’s most powerful rail hubs. Sitting at the crossroads of major north–south and east–west routes, Lyon allows you to reach wine country, medieval towns and riverside cities in under an hour — all without hiring a car. If you’re staying in Lyon for more than a couple of nights, these five day trips are perfect for se

Burgundy Vineyards near Beaune Beaune is the historic heart of Burgundy wine country, a small, refined town surrounded by some of the world’s most famous vineyards. With direct train connections, a compact old town and excellent food and wine culture, Beaune is ideal for a relaxed weekend escape without the need for a car.This guide covers what to see, how to get around, what Burgundian cuisine really is, where to eat, where to stay, and how to enjoy 48 hours in one of France

Chateau de Chinon, Loire Valley The Loire Valley is one of France’s most beautiful regions, known for its fairytale châteaux, riverside towns and peaceful countryside. Thanks to fast rail links from Paris, it’s easy to explore without a car. Tours makes the ideal base for a weekend, offering quick train access to some of the region’s most famous castles, vineyards and landscapes. This guide covers what to see, how to get around, where to eat and stay, what Loire Valley dishes

Annecy is one of France’s most picturesque small cities — a turquoise lake framed by mountains, pastel canals, medieval streets and fresh Alpine air. With direct regional trains from Lyon, Geneva and Chambéry, Annecy is an easy and scenic weekend destination without needing a car. The city is walkable, peaceful and full of opportunities for lakeside strolls, cosy cafés and panoramic viewpoints. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, classic Savoyard dishes, where to sta

Parma - The detail of Fresco of the Virgin Mary in Duomo by Antonio Allegri (Correggio - 1526-1530) Parma is one of Italy’s most refined small cities — known for its world-famous food, elegant architecture, quiet winter charm and relaxed pace. It is easily reached by train from Bologna, Milan, Modena and Florence, making it a wonderful winter weekend destination without needing a car. The city is walkable and filled with cafés, markets and warm trattorias. This guide covers w

Bordeaux is one of France’s most elegant and easy-to-explore cities, with grand squares, leafy boulevards, world-class wine and a beautifully restored riverfront. Thanks to the fast TGV link from Paris, Bordeaux has become a perfect weekend destination for travellers who want culture, wine tasting and relaxed strolling without the need for a car. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, what local food and wine specialities really are, where to stay and how to reach every

Sorrento is one of southern Italy’s most appealing summer bases: elegant but relaxed, walkable, well connected by train and ferry, and perfectly placed between the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the Bay of Naples. For summer 2026, planning ahead is key — Sorrento remains calmer than many Amalfi towns, but demand for accommodation, ferries and beach clubs is high. This guide covers what to do, where to go, how to get around without a car, what local dishes really are, where to eat, w

Ile Barbe Lyon is celebrated as France’s gastronomic capital, but beyond its famous bouchons and UNESCO-listed old town lies a more intimate, creative and deeply local city. Hidden passageways, hillside villages, former industrial districts and neighbourhood markets make Lyon ideal for a weekend of discovery away from the main tourist trail — all easily explored by train, metro and on foot.This guide covers what to see, how to get around, cultural context, lesser-known neighb

Strasbourg in December France may not be as internationally famous for Christmas markets as Germany, but its best winter markets are atmospheric, regional and wonderfully varied — from fairy-tale Alsace villages to Atlantic port cities and wine-loving eastern towns. Best of all, many of France’s most charming Christmas markets are easily reached by train, making them ideal for a festive weekend escape without a car. This guide rounds up the best Christmas markets in France ,

Lille is one of northern France’s most welcoming and characterful cities, known for its Flemish architecture, rich food culture and lively atmosphere. With fast rail connections from Paris, Brussels and London, it’s an ideal weekend destination that feels distinctly different from the rest of France.This guide covers what to see, how to get around, what local dishes really are, where to eat, where to stay, and how to enjoy 48 hours in Lille. Why Go? Lille blends French elegan

Naples is Italy’s most energetic food city, offering an unforgettable mix of street snacks, world-class pizza, centuries-old traditions and bold southern flavours. Fast trains make Naples an easy weekend escape, and its compact centre is perfect for food lovers wanting to explore on foot.This guide covers what to eat, how to get around, what Neapolitan dishes really are, where to try them, where to stay and how to enjoy 48 food-filled hours. Why Go? Naples is passionate, colo

Colmar is one of France’s most beautiful small towns — colourful half-timbered houses, canals, cobbled streets and a fairy-tale atmosphere. With easy rail links from Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Basel, Colmar is a perfect weekend getaway without a car. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, Alsatian dishes, where to stay, wine villages and how to arrive smoothly by train. Why Go? Colmar looks like it stepped out of an illustrated storybook. The colourful houses, quiet canal

Ballaro Market Palermo is one of Italy’s most vibrant food capitals — colourful markets, Arab-Norman spice influences, baroque streets, and a food tradition shaped by centuries of cultural exchange. Though Sicily isn’t connected to mainland Italy by high-speed lines, trains from Catania, Messina and Agrigento make Palermo an easy rail-based weekend destination. Once you arrive, the city’s energy, flavours and aromas make it a paradise for culinary travellers. This guide cover

Rouen is one of Normandy’s most atmospheric cities — timber-framed houses, Gothic churches, cobbled lanes and centuries of history. With direct trains from Paris, it makes an excellent weekend destination without needing a car. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, Norman dishes, where to stay, day trips and how to arrive smoothly by train. Why Go? Rouen is beautiful and full of cultural depth. From the cathedral painted by Monet to medieval streets and excellent museu

Saone River, Lyon Lyon is France’s gastronomic capital and one of the easiest major cities to reach and explore by train. With two major stations, an efficient metro system and a compact, walkable city centre, it offers the perfect mix of culture, riverfront scenery and exceptional food. Whether you are visiting for a relaxed short break or a food-focused weekend, Lyon is a rewarding and easy destination without the need for a car. This guide covers what to see, where to eat,

Strasbourg is one of France’s most atmospheric small cities: half-timbered houses, canals that glow at sunset, warm taverns serving regional comfort food, and a historic centre that is easily explored on foot. Best of all, Strasbourg is extremely well connected by rail, making it the ideal destination for a relaxed 48-hour trip with no car needed. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, what Alsatian dishes actually are, where to stay, how to explore beyond the city, and

Florence in winter is a dream — quieter streets, golden light on the Arno, and art and food that warm you from the inside out. Here’s your perfect two-day itinerary to experience the city’s soul at a slower, more intimate pace — by train, of course. Day 1: Renaissance Wonders & Cozy Corners Morning – Discover Fra Angelico at Palazzo Strozzi Step straight into Florence’s artistic heart at the Palazzo Strozzi , where the exhibition “Angelico: The Dawn of the Renaissance”  runs