Relaxed travel
Discover Italy by train
The Italian countryside can also be discovered by train.
© Claudio Giovanni Colombo/Shutterstock.com
From a mountain tour to a city trip: Italy can be easily discovered from Germany by train. These goals are worth it.
Italy has been a classic holiday destination for decades. What has changed: More and more holidaymakers want to travel sustainably. Cars and planes can be left aside if hikers, sun-seekers or culture fans travel to Italy. With time and flexibility, Italy can easily be discovered by train.
breathe in the mountain air
If you want to enjoy the mountains in northern Italy, you can reach Brixen or Bozen several times a day from Munich without having to change trains. The EC trains do not need four hours for this. It only takes a few steps to get up from the train station, for example in Bolzano the centrally located Rittner cable car can be easily reached on foot. It takes guests directly to Soprabolzano, where accommodations such as the Parkhotel Holzner can be found around the mountain station. At 1,200 meters above sea level on the sunny Rittner high plateau, there are not only hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and countless excursion destinations for nature lovers. If you want to relax after hiking, you can switch off in the outdoor pool of the wellness area, in the indoor pool, in the spa, on the sunbathing lawn or in the relaxation room in the Holzner. Good food, tennis courts, alpacas and a playground can also be found in the family-friendly house.
To the water
Rimini and thus the Adriatic Sea can also be easily reached without having to stop at the Brenner Pass and without having to refuel. From May 25 to September 9, 2023, a EuroCity runs daily from Munich via Bologna and Cesena directly to Rimini on the sea. The journey takes about eight hours. The train station is about two kilometers from the beach and the numerous hotels that can be found there. The Hotel Villa Augustea, for example, arose from the restoration of a historic Art Nouveau villa that was built at the beginning of the 20th century. In the vicinity, in addition to the beach, tourists will find numerous shops, restaurants and nightclubs.
Travelers can also reach Lake Garda by train in a few hours – via Rovereto, Verona, Desenzano and Peschiera. From water to mountain sports or culture, there is a lot on offer in the area. Numerous hotels offer shuttle services directly to the lake shore. Many holidaymakers also opt for (e-)bikes on site.
city trips
There is even more culture on city breaks: Florence, Milan or Rome can be enjoyed by city break fans without having to think about where to park the car. The train stations are usually very centrally located. If you book a hotel near the train station, you will have no problems reaching your accommodation after arrival or discovering the sights afterwards. The Prassede Palace Hotel, for example, like many other hotels, is only about ten minutes from Roma Termini. The Colosseum and the Roman Forum can be reached by a short walk.
Tips for traveling by train on vacation
It doesn’t matter whether it’s Italy or the North Sea – if you want to enjoy your train journey on vacation, you should plan well. Prices are cheaper if you book long term. It is often worth taking a look at the websites of foreign train providers, where the ticket for the same journey could be cheaper.
You can also travel relaxed, especially with seat reservations. If you have more luggage with you, you can also make sure that there is a luggage rack near your seat. Backpacks or small trolleys with four wheels are best for a train journey. All in all, when traveling by train, the following applies: the less luggage, the more comfortable the journey. Travelers who change trains at stations they are unfamiliar with should also plan enough time, so that delays can also be cushioned.