Italy

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

Bari, the capital of Puglia, combines a historic old town with a vibrant waterfront. From here, trains and buses take you to seaside Polignano a Mare and the trulli houses of Alberobello for a perfect short trip. Polignano a Mare Why Go? You’ll experience southern hospitality, unique architecture, and some of Italy’s best seafood and pasta. History Bari Vecchia was a key Adriatic port under Byzantines and Normans. Polignano a Mare’s cliffs have been settled since antiquity, w

Cetara Skip the crowds of Positano and Amalfi and base yourself in Salerno , a lively city with excellent rail links, a new airport, and easy access to the quieter southern Amalfi Coast towns of Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, and Erchie. From colorful ceramics to anchovy feasts, this part of the coast is authentic, affordable, and far less hectic. Why Go? Salerno is both a destination in its own right and the best gateway to the Amalfi Coast. With its medieval old town, vibrant pro

Pair Tuscany’s white truffles with Brunello di Montalcino wines in one autumn weekend—train to Siena, bus to the hills, no car required. San Miniato’s oak forests yield Italy’s finest white truffles, honored in November fairs. Montalcino’s Brunello gained DOCG status in 1980, cementing its place as Tuscany’s red wine king. What to Expect San Miniato White Truffle Fair: weekends in Nov. Brunello tastings available year-round, with harvest buzz in Sept–Oct. Day 1 – San Miniato

Two Tuscan hill towns, one train ride: Castiglion Fiorentino and Cortona make the perfect day trip from Florence. With medieval streets, Renaissance squares, and sweeping views of the Val di Chiana, these towns offer a quieter taste of Tuscany. Castiglion Fiorentino Why Go? Both towns are less crowded than Florence or Siena, yet rich with history and charm. It’s Tuscany at its most authentic, and easy to reach by train. A bit of History Castiglion Fiorentino traces its roots

Venice isn’t just its canals — the lagoon hides a trio of islands, each with its own character. Murano is famed for glass, Burano for colorful houses and lace, and Torcello for ancient churches. Together, they make an unforgettable day trip. Burano Island at dusk Why Go These islands offer a break from Venice’s crowds while showing the lagoon’s history and culture. Each is easily reached by vaporetto. A bit of History Murano has been Venice’s glassmaking hub since 1291. Buran

The Cinque Terre and Portofino coast are some of Italy’s most spectacular walking destinations. Trails connect fishing villages, with trains as backup. Autumn is perfect: cooler weather, fewer crowds, and golden light. Via Dell'amore hiking trail, Cinque Terre Why Go? Walking lets you experience the dramatic cliffs, terraced vineyards, and seaside villages at a slower pace. A bit of History The Cinque Terre villages developed as isolated fishing hamlets, connected only by mul

High above the Adriatic coast, San Marino is a tiny independent republic with medieval towers, cobbled streets, and sweeping views. It’s one of Europe’s quirkiest day trips, and you can get there easily by train and bus from Rimini. Guaita, First Tower of San Marino Why Go? San Marino offers history, architecture, and unique status as the world’s oldest continuous republic. It’s a chance to visit another country while exploring Italy. A bit of History Founded in 301 AD by St.

Quiet Beach on Adriatic Coast The Adriatic coast south of Bologna offers sandy beaches, Renaissance towns, and lively piazzas. With excellent train connections, you can hop between Rimini, Pesaro, and Ancona for a few days of coastal culture and cuisine. Why Go? It’s a region often overlooked by international tourists, yet it combines seaside relaxation with art, opera, and seafood traditions. A bit of History Rimini was a key Roman town with monuments still standing. Pesaro

South of Siena, the Crete Senesi is a landscape of clay hills, cypress trees, and golden fields. Autumn is the perfect time for walking here, with cooler air and harvest colors. The “Gladiator Trail” near Pienza is a scenic highlight. Crete Senesi from the Gladiator Trail Why Go? This area is quieter than Chianti but just as beautiful. It’s classic “film Tuscany,” with wide horizons and winding roads. A bit of History The Crete Senesi was shaped by erosion, leaving a moonscap

Palermo is a feast for the senses: baroque churches, bustling markets, and a cuisine that blends Arab, Norman, and Italian traditions. A weekend here gives you a taste of Sicily’s capital at its most vibrant. Piazza Bellini, Palermo Palermo offers dazzling architecture, world-class street food, and access to stunning seaside escapes like Cefalù. It’s chaotic, colorful, and unforgettable. Founded by Phoenicians, ruled by Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards, Palermo reflects centurie

Rolling hills striped with vines, medieval hill towns, and one of the world’s most celebrated red wines: welcome to the Langhe, home of Barolo. This UNESCO World Heritage landscape is perfect for a day trip ( or better still an overnight stay ) from Turin or Milan, combining wine, history, and culture. Vineyards of La Morra Barolo isn’t just about wine tasting. The region offers castle views, truffle-scented cuisine, and some of Italy’s most beautiful countryside. Autumn, dur

Italy’s forests hide one of its greatest treasures: truffles. Autumn’s white truffle (October–December) is the most prized of all, shaved raw over pasta or eggs. Whether in Alba, San Miniato, or Umbria, you can hunt, taste, and celebrate truffles by train. Alba at sunset Romans considered truffles an aphrodisiac, while medieval cooks prized their aroma. In the 20th century, the International Alba Truffle Fair helped turn these fungi into luxury icons. Today, fairs in Alba, Sa

Autumn is festival season in central Italy. From roasted chestnuts in Tuscany’s mountains to chocolate in Perugia and truffles in San Miniato, every weekend between September and November brings a celebration of food, wine, and tradition. Best of all, you can reach them all easily by train. San Miniato For centuries, Tuscany and Umbria’s harvests shaped community life. Chestnuts were once the “bread of the poor,” sustaining mountain villages through winter. Truffles, once pri

Venice in autumn has a special magic—crisper air, softer light, and far fewer day-trippers than in high summer. The 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale (10 May–23 Nov) fills the Giardini and Arsenale with international art and design, making the city a living exhibition. With fewer crowds and golden reflections on the canals, it’s the perfect time to visit by train. Quiet evening in Venice La Biennale was founded in 1895 to showcase Italian art, and it has grown into one of the

Halfway between Rome and Naples, Gaeta is a seaside town with golden beaches, medieval alleys, and fresh seafood straight from the Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s less crowded than Amalfi but just as charming, perfect for a weekend escape. Gaeta Gaeta combines sandy beaches with a historic old town and legendary seafood. It’s a place where Romans holiday, but international tourists rarely visit.Once a Roman resort town, Gaeta later became a fortified stronghold and naval base. Its medie

Backstreet Restaurant Rome in autumn is magical—golden light on ancient ruins, lively neighbourhood markets, and far fewer tourists than summer. For a weekend, skip the Colosseum queues and explore Rome’s lesser-known corners by metro, tram, and even regional trains. What to Expect Crisp, sunny days perfect for walking Quieter museums and piazzas than in peak season Seasonal food: truffles, chestnuts, and porcini mushrooms Why go now? Beyond the big landmarks, Rome hides cent

Pompeii Naples is the perfect base for exploring some of the world’s most famous Roman ruins. Just a short train ride away, Pompeii and Herculaneum reveal entire cities frozen by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Combine them with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples , which houses the best-preserved treasures from both sites. September and autumn bring cooler weather and fewer crowds, making it the ideal time to wander ancient streets. What to Expect Frequent

Bassano del Grappa, Veneto The Veneto region is more than Venice. By train, you can wander elegant Palladian villas, sip world-famous wines, and stroll historic towns that inspired Shakespeare. September and autumn are ideal—vineyards are heavy with grapes, harvest festivals spill into piazzas, and cooler days make exploring comfortable. What to Expect Easy rail links from Venice, Verona, and Padua to towns across the region Rolling vineyards producing Prosecco, Soave, and Va

North of Rome, Viterbo is a medieval city famous for its papal palace and natural thermal springs. Just under two hours by train, it’s a relaxed escape from Rome’s bustle. September and autumn are perfect for soaking in hot pools, wandering cobbled lanes, and sampling hearty Tuscia cuisine. Viterbo What to Expect Direct trains from Rome Tiburtina (1 hr 45 mins) A walled medieval old town full of stone towers and squares Public and private thermal baths fed by volcanic springs