Top 10 beautiful train itineraries through Italy

It’s sad but true: with all these low-cost flight companies and last minute offers we are not used anymore to enjoy a beautiful and relaxing journey, maybe on a comfortable train. So let’s take it slow – we take you on an Italian tour through 10 beautiful train itineraries: because we believe that the destination is not the only thing that matters, but also how you get there.

A journey around Etna

Let’s start with Sicily: you cannot skip a train tour from Catania to Riposto, a charming journey around Etna’s slopes. Step on the train and enjoy the amazing surrounding, alongside the Jonic coast, between the blue sea and the majestic Etna volcano overlooking the landscape. The train is passing through an area famous for its delicious wine: why don’t you stop by and have a Sicilian style wine tasting?

Cinque Terre by train

Let’s move now to Liguria for an old classic: the Cinque Terre. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso and Corniglia: five colorful towns and rich in history, five steps for a wonderful Itinerary along the Cinque Terre by train. In a little time (between a town and the other there are more or less 7 minutes) you could enjoy all the beauty of Liguria coast, exploring these five villages. Enjoy the sight of Manarola, lose yourself in the colored alleys of Corniglia, relax on Monterosso beaches. Leave now for the Cinque Terre!

Discovering the “Sassi” of Matera

A relaxing journey by train from Puglia to Basilicata, from Bari to Matera. A trip that will reward you with the wonderful sight on “Alta Murgia”, a natural area full of rock peaks, fields and small towns. Once you will get to Matera, enjoy this truly magic city with a thousand-year old history; its typical “sassi”, that is the original urban nucleus carved in the stones, are declared Unesco world heritage.

A journey on the “Italian Trans-Siberian”

A charming trip, crossing the natural park of Majella, Abruzzo’s most green and wild area, covered in winter by meters of snow. It’s not a coincidence if the route from Sulmona to Isernia by train is called the “Italian Trans-Siberian”: the second highest in the country (Brenner is on top). Since 2014 the route, closed to the public some years ago, has been re-opened as “historic railway”. Once you will get to Isernia, don’t miss a visit to this beautiful town, its Cathedral and the famous “Fontana Fraterna”.

A train getaway to Roman countryside

You know, Rome is a fantastic city, where you can spend a month without being able to see everything; however, maybe you don’t know that the “Eternal City” is surrounded by a wonderful countryside well known as “Castelli Romani” (Roman Castles). From Ariccia to Albano, From Bracciano to Rocca di Papa: they all are towns easily reachable from Roma Termini train station; take one of the many regional trains and enjoy a relaxing tour in the Roman countryside and its panoramic sights from your wagon window.

A railway tour in the Etruscan countryside

Let’s move now to Tuscany, a place made of amazing landscape, to go on the route by train from Volterra to Cecina. This is a historical route, dating back to the end of 1800 and crossing the Tuscan countryside, among valleys, hills, cypresses and vineyards. Do not miss a visit to Volterra, this wonderful medieval city with a precious heritage: from Priori square to the Medici fortress, till the city walls.

From Brescia to Iseo lake by train

What’s better than a nice weekend in nature with a getaway to the lake? We have a perfect itinerary: take a train that, after crossing the Franciacorta vineyards and the Torbiere natural park, takes you straight from Brescia to Iseo lake shores, one of the most suggestive water ponds in North Italy. Once you will be here relax and enjoy all the peace of this place, maybe with a long boat tour.

Discovering Pompeii on the Circumvesuviana train

Now it’s time to move to the South, to Campania and more exactly to Pompeii: a famous and breathtaking archeological site, a whole Roman city buried by Vesuvius volcanic lava thousands of years ago and so preserved till our time. Getting to Pompeii is easy: once you are in Naples, take the Circumvesuviana, the old train connecting the city to Sorrento and to all the towns established on Vesuvius’ slopes and on the Amalfi coast: admire the magnificent volcano and its green surroundings from your seat window.

In Sardinia, between sea and mines

Let’s talk now about Southern Sardinia and the Cagliari to Carbonia railway route, a truly charming journey: once you leave Cagliari you will cross an area once rich and famous for its mines, nowadays almost fully closed and abandoned. Lose your sight in the wild beauty of Sardinian hills, and do not forget to pay a visit to Cagliari, a vibrant seaside city full of highlights and cultural life.

By train along the South Tyrol alpine pastures

Let’s close our list moving to the mountains, more precisely to South Tyrol, along the train route between Bozen and Toblach, close to the border between Italy and Austria. Get comfortable and enjoy the wonderful Trentino – South Tyrol valleys, among alpine pastures, herds of cows and rock picks. A real and relaxing mountain hike by train, completely immersed in the quiet of these valleys.

So, if you love the quiet of slow traveling now you have ten new routes to enjoy sit on a train wagon. Do not miss this train!