Enjoy the train through Italy: from Venice to Naples

Have you always dreamed of a city tour through Italy? Leave that (rental) car at home and take the train! Traveling through Italy by train is becoming increasingly popular. The train is a fast and efficient means of transport. Moreover, it is quite affordable, and the best part: your holiday feeling will not disappear during the trip. In Italy you will – in any region – enjoy beautiful scenes from your train window. 

I regularly took the train during my holidays in Italy. I don't have a driver's license, so that choice is quickly made. Fortunately, I am also a big fan of traveling by train, so it is certainly not a punishment.

I traveled by train in Tuscany, Umbria and Puglia, among other places, and not once was it disappointing. However, this always involved relatively short distances. Friends of mine, Suze and Bob, traveled half way during a real train holiday, and told me extensively about their experiences.

1. Venice

The first stop was Venice, city of water. Suze immediately gives a big tip about seeing this city: 'Go early in the morning. We were able to see the city without tourists.'

Venice is beautiful, but a few days is enough if I have to believe my friends. They stayed there for 2 nights, which means one full day.

Of course, no visit to Venice would be complete without sailing its waters. Is renting a gondola a step too far for you? Then it is advisable to have one ferry to take the ferry that takes you across the Grand Canal. It will only cost you 2 to 3 euros, but you will have a photo opportunity on the water.

Suze and Bob often stayed in hostels for their overnight stays. You might be thinking of some dingy spaces that you share with backpackers and students.

But nothing could be further from the truth: in many hostels you can (nowadays) stay in a private room that is equipped with all amenities. In addition, the location is often favorable and you pay a reasonable price.

2. Florence

The journey continued towards Florence. The Tuscan capital is of course known for its countless art museums, which Suze and Bob have visited extensively.

Another highlight was Mercato Centrale, a large covered market hall with all kinds of delicacies. An absolute black for wine lovers, because you can tap your own wine at the bar!

Finally, Florence is also a paradise for vintage shoppers: from dirt cheap to second-hand designer, you are guaranteed to succeed. For example with Melrose Vintage, a store that has been in the city since 1988 and has built a good reputation.

3. Sienna

The next destination is also in Tuscany: historic Siena. A big favorite in this city was La Divina Bellezza, in the Siena Cathedral.

The cathedral floor is not always open to the public, but if you are lucky enough to visit it, take your chance. Art writer Vasari described the floor as the most beautiful ever made. 

4. Roma

Next stop: the bustling Italian capital of Rome. Of course, this cannot be missed during the city tour.

De must see sights speak for themselves: the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain are just a few examples. Suze and Bob can tick all of these off.

Pro-tip: do you want more Rome? Then download our City Guide Rome with no fewer than 99 sights that we have clustered into 12 possible walking and cycling routes through the city for clarity. We have numbered the sights for you in red (Rome for beginners) and in black (Rome for advanced users). For each route you will also find a link to an interactive map that you can follow on your smartphone or tablet. 10 walking routes and 2 cycling routes have been set out for you.

Once again Suze and Rob share a tip about the time of the visit: they visited the Trevi Fountain late in the evening. That's also a good way to avoid the crowds if you're not an early riser.

The couple were especially fans of Trastevere and they enjoyed, among other things, the trinkets at Mercato di Porta Portese. You will find this market every Sunday in the characteristic working-class neighborhood.

5. Naples

The last destination, Naples, was by far the favorite. According to Suze and Bob, this was mainly because the capital of Campania has an authentic atmosphere. In Naples the couple especially enjoyed food, food and more food.

Of course, you certainly won't leave this city without having a real Neapolitan pizza. And we succeeded, but there is another very noteworthy snack: the cuoppo napoletano. A cone full of crispy fried seafood.

Finally, on the last day, the couple took a short trip to the island of Ischia to relax on the beach. Highly recommended on a hot summer day that is less suitable for spending in the city. In the port of Naples you can easily catch a ferry that will take you to the island in about an hour.

Would you also like to make such an unforgettable train journey through Italy?

All in all, traveling through Italy by train is the recipe for an unforgettable trip. Suze and Bob have of course given a lot of tips, but in closing they have one clear piece of advice: book your train tickets in advance. You can do this easily via the Trenitalia website (available in English). That saves you time and money.