Food & Drink

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

When autumn rolls into Tuscany, the rolling clay hills of the Crete Senesi  turn golden and fragrant — it’s white truffle season. Between October and November, this quiet corner south of Siena becomes the center of Italy’s most exclusive culinary ritual: hunting for the precious tartufo bianco . Why Go? The Crete Senesi, with its lunar landscapes and cypress-lined lanes, is one of Tuscany’s most atmospheric regions. Visiting during truffle season offers not just beautiful sce

Anghiari Follow in the footsteps of Renaissance master Piero della Francesca  through eastern Tuscany and Umbria. From Arezzo to Sansepolcro, Anghiari, Monterchi, and Città di Castello, this journey weaves art, landscapes, and timeless hill towns. Why Go? This route combines art, gentle countryside, and authentic small towns rarely on tourist itineraries — all accessible from Arezzo by local train or bus. A bit of History Piero della Francesca (1412–1492) was one of the early

Naples and Vesuvius at Sunset Naples is Italy at full volume — chaotic, historic, and irresistibly alive. Beneath its buzzing streets lies centuries of art, food, and folklore. A weekend here immerses you in everything from Baroque churches to pizza straight from the oven. Why Go? Naples is more than Pompeii’s gateway — it’s one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, rich with art, archaeology, and legendary food. A bit of History Founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, Naples

Tucked between mountains and sea, Genoa (Genova)  rewards slow exploration. Its medieval alleys hide marble palaces, bohemian cafés, and the scent of fresh basil and sea salt. Known as La Superba  (“The Proud One”), Genoa’s history is as grand as its harbor. Once one of the great maritime republics alongside Venice, Pisa, and Amalfi, Genoa dominated Mediterranean trade from the 11th to the 17th centuries. Its powerful merchant families built the magnificent Palazzi dei Rolli

Ballooning over Tuscan Countryside at dawn Tuscany’s rolling hills and vineyards are world-famous, but you don’t need a car to enjoy them. With smart planning, you can reach some of the region’s best wineries by train and short taxi or bus rides, making wine-tasting both stress-free and sustainable. Why Go? From Chianti to Montepulciano, Tuscany’s wines reflect centuries of tradition. Visiting by train means you can taste without worrying about driving. History Wine has been