Train holiday in Italy: Bella Italia – pearls of Italy: culture, flavours and contrasts

The journey begins with a flight from Denmark to Rome. At the airport, you are met by a driver who takes you to the train station in Rome. Here, you board the Frecciarossa train, which takes you directly to Naples, where you stay for two nights.

The high-speed train journey from Rome to Naples takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Mediterranean landscape. The train passes several historic villages located on hilltops or along mountain slopes. As you approach Naples in the Campania region, the landscape becomes more hilly, with vineyards and scenic views.

The station in Naples is located in a lively area with many shops, cafés and restaurants, making it a great starting point for exploring the historic centre of the city.

The famous Naples and underground Naples.

You have two nights in Naples in a centrally located hotel. Naples is known for art, history, culture, food and many other things — especially pizza. Not many people are aware of underground Naples, located beneath the city centre, approximately 40 metres below ground level. Napoli Sotterranea consists of tunnels, caves and grottoes. A guided tour is required (either in English or Italian), as access is not allowed without one for safety reasons.

A walk along the waterfront promenade Lungomare offers beautiful views over the bay and Mount Vesuvius. Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano on mainland Europe and rises to 1,280 metres. You can visit Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii, which were destroyed by volcanic eruption almost 2,000 years ago.

Just over an hour from Naples lies the Amalfi Coast. The route offers spectacular views and restaurants serving homemade food with fresh, local ingredients. Some restaurants have been awarded Michelin stars. Naples is known as the birthplace of pizza. Here, you can enjoy authentic pizza baked in wood-fired ovens or indulge in a wide selection of freshly caught fish and seafood.

You board the Frecciarossa train around midday, which takes you to the capital of Italy, Rome, in just about one hour.

In Rome, there are two nights. Discover Piccola Londra, which means “Little London”. This is a more modern area with houses resembling those in Notting Hill. The neighbourhood consists of only a few streets, as the architect Quadrio Pirani did not manage to expand the project.

For quieter places in Rome, you can visit Quartiere Coppedè, located between four streets at the corner of Via Dora and Via Tagliamento. Here, you find beautiful buildings, a fountain and an atmosphere that is less known to tourists.

There are countless sights in Rome. One of the most famous is the Colosseum, which can hold 50,000 spectators. The interior is partly collapsed, and the arena was once covered with a large wooden platform where battles took place. There are 80 arches on the ground level that provided access to the seating areas. The Colosseum was selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, many churches are well known, but Rome also offers lesser-known places such as the narrow streets of Trastevere, a charming neighbourhood where you can enjoy dinner in a local trattoria.

A hidden gem in Rome is Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, located in the centre close to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the monument to Victor Emmanuel II. Inside, you find the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. This is another place where you can step away from the busy streets of Rome.

If you are looking for a lively atmosphere, the fountains by Bernini from the 17th century at Piazza Navona are highly recommended. The long and narrow square is filled with cafés, tourists and locals. Here, you also find the impressive church Sant’Agnese in Agone, known for its beautiful interior.

The ancient temple Pantheon features an open oculus at the top of the dome, which is the only source of light inside. The opening has a diameter of 9 metres and creates a striking beam of light on the marble floor.

The market Campo de’ Fiori is a cosy place with many stalls selling clothes, oils, pasta, vegetables, fruit and smoothies. There are also many restaurants around the square.

The historic fortress Castel Sant’Angelo now serves as a museum, where the top level offers panoramic views over Rome.

Dining in Rome is an experience in itself. Traditional dishes can be found in the Testaccio district, which has a long history. In earlier times, trading ships docked along the banks of the Tiber River.

The underground burial sites, the Catacombs, consist of long tunnels with burial chambers carved into the walls. Five catacombs are open to visitors. Here, the dead were buried horizontally on top of each other, and the graves were sealed with marble slabs or bricks. Inscriptions were painted to identify those buried inside.

End the day with a walk along the Appia Antica, an ancient road built with impressive stonework. The flat, shaped stones create a path that appears almost naturally formed.

You travel from Rome to Florence on the Frecciarossa train.

Panoramic view over Florence.

There are two nights in Florence. Take a walk along the steep street Via Costa San Giorgio, which leads to Belvedere Fortress and continues along the old city wall to the gate San Miniato, and further up to the square with one of the most beautiful viewpoints, Piazzale Michelangelo. One of the best views of Florence can be enjoyed from this spot, where the panorama over towers and domes creates a truly special experience. The many bridges crossing the Arno River and the reflections of sunlight on the water are worth experiencing — especially at sunrise and sunset.

Among the most popular attractions is the cathedral Duomo di Firenze, a symbol of pride and history in Florence, as well as the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous art museums in the world. Here, you find an impressive collection of Renaissance paintings, including works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli.

Beyond the famous art, the lively atmosphere can be experienced when tasting local delicacies at the central market Mercato Centrale. You can also visit the medieval stone bridge Ponte Vecchio, known for its unique shops. Here, you find jewellers, art dealers and souvenir shops.

For a more relaxed experience, enjoy a walk in the historic park Boboli Gardens.

The day is spent travelling by regional train to Monterosso. Along the way, you pass Pisa before arriving at one of the most well-known towns in Cinque Terre.

3 overnatninger i Monterosso. Byen er den vestligste af byerne i “Cinque Terre”. Det er en rigtig kystby med en lille hyggelig sandstrand. Byen har charmerende huse og er den mest livlige by i området.

Udforsk de gamle bygninger, gå en tur langs promenaden eller tag et smut forbi den gamle kirke. Der er også gode muligheder for vandring med utallige vandrestier.

Train journey to Milan

Here, you have the opportunity to explore Milan on your own. There is one night in the city.

For example, you can experience a fantastic view over Milan from the unique tower Torre Branca, located in the beautiful Sempione Park. If you are comfortable with heights, take the elevator to the top of the steel tower and enjoy the city from above. In the park, you also find the Arco della Pace, built as a tribute to the victories of Napoleon. Nearby stands the medieval Castello Sforzesco, home to museums and art collections. The historic Arena Civica, the Acquario Civico and the design museum Triennale are also located in the park. If you need a coffee break, the shopping arcade Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is located right next to the cathedral.

In the evening, a visit to the Navigli district is recommended, known for canals, cosy bars and restaurants.

As the fashion capital of Italy, Milan offers shopping streets with international brands such as Armani, Versace, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. In addition, the city offers countless art and cultural experiences.