Italy

Monreale Cathedral, Sicily High above the bustling streets of Palermo sits one of the most astonishing buildings in Europe: Monreale Cathedral. At first glance, it seems impossible that a place of such beauty remains relatively unknown outside Sicily. Visitors arrive expecting another impressive Italian church and instead walk into a golden masterpiece that feels closer to Constantinople or an Arabian palace than a typical European cathedral. The mosaics shimmer like fire. Th

Vicenza Italy Why Go in Spring? Spring is the perfect time to visit Vicenza. Temperatures sit comfortably between 16–23°C, ideal for exploring on foot, and the city feels lively but never crowded. Café terraces fill, markets return, and the surrounding countryside begins to bloom. Unlike nearby Venice or Verona, Vicenza remains refreshingly local. This is where you experience northern Italy at a slower, more refined pace. A City Shaped by Architecture Vicenza is synonymous wi

Pisa, Italy, at dusk Why Go in Spring? Spring is when Pisa and the Tuscan Coast feel at their most balanced. The intense heat of summer hasn’t arrived, but the days are already warm and bright — typically between 16–22°C. The light is soft, restaurants and cafés begin to fill again, and the coastline slowly reawakens after winter. It’s also one of the best times to experience this part of Tuscany without the crowds. Pisa’s famous sights are calmer, and the nearby seaside town

A quieter Amalfi Coast alternative — best explored on foot Views from The Puntanella Coastal Path The Massa Lubrense peninsula, just beyond Sorrento, is one of southern Italy’s most rewarding places to explore in spring. This is where the Amalfi Coast softens — where terraces of lemon trees replace crowds, where footpaths connect sleepy villages, and where the views stretch uninterrupted across to Capri. Arriving by train to Sorrento and continuing by local bus makes this an

The Last Supper, Domenico Ghirlandaio Florence is a city where even a single day feels rich with meaning. Arriving by train places you straight into the historic centre, where Renaissance masterpieces, quiet monasteries, and unforgettable food are all within walking distance. This itinerary is designed to give you something deeper than the usual highlights — a day that blends Florence’s artistic soul with its everyday rhythm. Arriving in Florence by Train You’ll arrive into F

Bay of Naples Naples in spring is vibrant, chaotic, and completely unforgettable. The air smells of espresso and sea salt, markets spill into the streets, and the city’s energy feels just right — lively but not overwhelming. This is when Naples is at its best for a short break. Warm enough to explore on foot, cool enough to wander all day, and just before the intensity of peak summer. Arriving by train, you step straight into the heart of southern Italy’s most characterful ci

Historic byzantine mosaic in Saint Vitale Basilica, Ravenna Ravenna is one of Italy’s most quietly extraordinary cities — and in spring , it reveals a softer, more atmospheric side. As light filters through its basilicas, gardens begin to bloom, and café tables return to the streets, Ravenna becomes a perfect place for slow, reflective travel. Famous for its Byzantine mosaics, this compact city offers a different kind of Italian escape — calm, cultural, and deeply immersive.

Tirano, Italy Italy’s great train journeys aren’t always long. Some unfold quietly, revealing their beauty mile by mile — and the route from Milan to Tirano is one of the most rewarding. In spring , this journey feels even more special. In just over two and a half hours, the train carries you from Milan’s energy into alpine foothills where snow still lingers on the peaks while valleys begin to bloom. Vineyards reawaken, rivers run fuller with snowmelt, and the changing light

Path of the Gods, Amalfi Coast If you’re planning to explore the Amalfi Coast on foot, spring is without question the best time to go. From April to early June, the coastline transforms into a landscape of wildflowers, green terraces, and clear coastal views. Temperatures are ideal for hiking, trails are quieter, and the entire region feels more authentic compared to the peak summer months. Whether you’re planning to walk the Path of the Gods or explore hidden lemon groves an

Riomaggiore in Spring There are few places in Europe where train travel feels as magical as it does along the Cinque Terre coast—but in spring, it becomes something even more special. The railway slips through tunnels carved into cliffs, emerging into views of pastel villages, terraced hillsides bursting with wildflowers, and the soft blue Ligurian Sea. After winter, the landscape feels fresh, green, and uncrowded. In spring, the train isn’t just transport—it’s your front-row

Bernina Express If the Glacier Express is iconic, the Bernina Express is dramatic. This is a journey that climbs high into the Alps, passes glaciers and frozen lakes, spirals through engineering marvels—and then descends into Italy, where palm trees and espresso replace snow and silence. It’s not just a train ride. It’s a transition between worlds. But before you plan it, there’s one important thing most guides don’t explain properly… The Key Thing to Know (Before You Book An

The Port of Genoa Genoa is one of Italy’s most fascinating and least understood cities — a powerful maritime republic whose wealth once rivalled Venice. Stretching along the Ligurian coast between mountains and sea, the city reveals itself slowly: grand Renaissance palaces, labyrinthine medieval alleys, bustling markets and one of Europe’s most atmospheric historic centres. Often overshadowed by nearby Cinque Terre, Genoa offers travellers something deeper — a glimpse into th

Italy isn’t meant to be rushed. Yes, the high-speed trains are impressive — fast, efficient, and incredibly useful. But the journeys you remember most? They’re the slower ones. The ones where the landscape unfolds outside your window, the pace softens, and the experience begins long before you arrive. If you’re planning a trip this year — or simply dreaming of one — here are five train journeys that reveal a more authentic, unhurried side of Italy. 1. Bologna → Florence (via

Spring is arriving in Italy. The cafés are opening onto its medieval piazzas, vineyards are turning green again, and the first travelers of the season are already planning their summer escapes. If Italy is on your dream travel list this year , now is the perfect moment to start planning. And to celebrate the upcoming travel season, my guidebook Touring Italy by Train is FREE on Kindle for just two days — March 24–25. This is the last free promotion before the big summer plan

Lucca is one of Tuscany’s most enchanting towns — a beautifully preserved city surrounded by massive Renaissance walls. Unlike many historic towns, these walls were never destroyed. Instead they have become one of Lucca’s greatest attractions: a wide, tree-lined promenade encircling the entire historic centre. Inside the walls lies a charming world of medieval streets, elegant piazzas and timeless Italian atmosphere. Why Lucca? Lucca offers everything travellers love about Tu

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

Orvieto is one of Italy’s most striking hill towns — a golden city perched dramatically atop a volcanic plateau high above the Umbrian countryside. Just an hour from Rome by train, it offers everything travellers love about central Italy: medieval streets, Renaissance art, breathtaking views and extraordinary food. Yet unlike many famous hill towns, Orvieto still feels calm, authentic and deeply connected to its history. Arriving here — first by train, then by funicular climb

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

Historic Cities, Art & Italian Life — All Under One Hour Despite its unique geography, Venice is one of Italy’s best train hubs. From Venezia Santa Lucia , trains glide directly onto the mainland, connecting Venice to elegant cities, medieval towns and vineyard landscapes in under an hour. These five day trips are perfect if you want to balance time in Venice with a deeper look at northern Italy — without cars, ferries or organised tours. Giotto's frescos in Scrovegni Chapel

When Venice is in full carnival mode—masks flashing in the sun, crowds spilling through Piazza San Marco, gondolas jostling for space—there is something deeply restorative about walking away from it all. Head west. Cross the Accademia Bridge. Keep going until the streets narrow, the souvenir shops disappear, and the lagoon air feels more residential than theatrical. Here, in the far reaches of Dorsoduro, you’ll find one of Venice’s oldest and most quietly beautiful churches: