Italy

Ferrovia Circumetnea in Sicily Most visitors experience Mount Etna from a coach window or on a guided excursion to the summit. They admire Europe's highest active volcano for a few hours before returning to the coast, never discovering the communities that have lived in its shadow for centuries. The Ferrovia Circumetnea offers a completely different perspective. Departing from Catania, this historic narrow-gauge railway circles the lower slopes of Mount Etna through ancient l

One of the most rewarding parts of writing travel guides isn't seeing them climb the Amazon rankings. It's hearing from readers after they've returned home. Over the past year, Touring Italy by Train has become one of Amazon's best-selling Rail Travel Guides, consistently ranking in the Top 10 and helping thousands of travellers plan independent journeys across Italy. But what has been even more rewarding is reading the reviews from people who have actually used the guide on

If Italy has been sitting at the top of your travel wish list, this weekend is the perfect time to start planning. For Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, Touring Italy by Train is FREE to download on Kindle, giving you the chance to discover why it has become one of Amazon's best-selling rail travel guides and remains one of the most popular books in the Real Travel Guides collection. Since its launch, it has consistently ranked among Amazon's Top 10 Travel Guides for Italy Trav

Sweeping Views From Erice Some towns impress you because of what they contain. Erice captivates you because of where it sits. Perched high on a mountain overlooking western Sicily, this beautifully preserved medieval town appears to float above the sea. Stone streets wind between ancient churches and hidden courtyards, castle walls cling dramatically to the cliffs, and from almost every corner there are sweeping views across Trapani, the Egadi Islands and the sparkling Medite

The celebrations had barely begun before the yellow and red flags appeared. Drums echoed through the streets, church bells rang out across the rooftops, and supporters of Porta Romana celebrated another memorable victory in the 2026 Palio dei Rioni. For visitors, it may have looked like an exciting horse race. For the people of Castiglion Fiorentino, it was far more than that. The Palio is the emotional heart of the town. Families inherit loyalties from one generation to the

Castello di Montecchio Vesponi, Val Di Chiana, Tuscany Some Tuscan castles are famous. Others remain surprisingly overlooked. Castello di Montecchio Vesponi belongs firmly in the second category. Rising above the Val di Chiana between Castiglion Fiorentino and Cortona, its towers dominate the surrounding countryside much as they have for nearly a thousand years. Yet despite its extraordinary history, relatively few visitors ever make the short journey to explore it. That may

When people talk about Sicily's most beautiful beach, one place is mentioned more than any other. San Vito Lo Capo. Photographs usually focus on the dazzling white sand and turquoise water, often making it look more Caribbean than Mediterranean. But the beach is only part of the story. What makes San Vito Lo Capo special is the setting. The dramatic bulk of Monte Monaco rises behind the town. The wild coastline of the Zingaro Nature Reserve begins just beyond it. Fishing trad

Train Ferry Crossing from Calabria to Messina, Sicily There are sleeper trains. And then there is the train from Milan to Palermo. At almost twenty hours, it is one of the longest rail journeys in Western Europe — a train that leaves the financial heart of northern Italy one evening and arrives beneath the palms, domes and markets of Sicily the following afternoon. Most travellers fly. Many never see the country between. But on this train, Italy unfolds slowly. Cities become

Sunset at Lej Pitschen at The Bernina Pass, Graubünden, Switzerland Few rail journeys in the world are as instantly recognisable as the Bernina route. Images of red trains crossing high stone viaducts, glaciers in the background and lakes reflecting the sky have become almost shorthand for “scenic travel in Switzerland.” But what most people don’t realise is that the best way to experience this journey is not necessarily the famous panoramic train. It’s doing it independently

Palermo is full of grand buildings. Some impress immediately. Others reveal themselves more slowly — and stay with you far longer. Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri is one of those places. From the outside, it’s imposing but easy to pass by. Inside, it’s often quiet. And that’s what makes the experience so striking. A Palace with a Darker Story Built in the 14th century by the powerful Chiaramonte family, the Steri was once a symbol of wealth and authority. Later, under Spanish rule,

Palermo has no shortage of grand palaces. But some reveal themselves more slowly. Spending time in the city recently — and starting to get under the skin of it — we’ve come across a few places that most visitors miss completely. Palazzo Butera is one of them. And it’s one of the most quietly remarkable spaces in Palermo. A Palace Reimagined Originally built in the 18th century as a noble residence overlooking the sea, Palazzo Butera had, like much of Palermo, faded over time.

Venice by Night Venice changes completely after dark. By early evening, the day-trippers begin drifting back toward the station and airport buses, leaving the city quieter, softer and far more atmospheric. Vaporetto lights shimmer across the canals, footsteps echo through narrow alleys, and restaurant tables begin filling with Venetians rather than tour groups. It is at this hour that Venice feels most suited to departure. Boarding the overnight train north from Venezia Santa

Some buildings impress because of their scale, and others because of their history. The Palatine Chapel inside Palermo’s Norman Palace does something rarer: it overwhelms through detail. At first glance, the chapel feels almost impossibly ornate. Gold mosaics cover the ceilings and walls. Arabic-style wooden carvings sit above Byzantine saints. Norman architecture frames scenes that look more at home in Constantinople than Sicily. Every surface appears layered with symbolism,

Zurich by Night There is a point, somewhere after leaving Zurich, when the city lights disappear and the train begins climbing south toward the Alps. The dining car slowly empties. Conversations soften. Reflections from station platforms give way to darkness and mountain silhouettes. By midnight, most passengers have disappeared behind compartment doors as the Nightjet continues through Switzerland toward Italy. By morning, you wake approaching Rome. Not an airport outside th

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