Think about traveling in Italy and the mind immediately begins to reach for the airline timetables. Think again. Traveling to and around Italy by train is kinder to your bank account and kinder to the environment. The journey time from London Kings Cross on Eurostar takes just over two hours and costs around forty quid. When you take into account the time spent lolling around the airport, suddenly the train doesn't seem like such a bad idea. Considering, also, the train has one tenth the impact on your carbon footprint compared to flying, everybody wins.
Once on the continent, there are three options for reaching your destination in Italy by train. The Artesia TGV arrives in Milan or Turin from Paris by late evening; the cost is GBP 30.
If you have a little extra time to spare and want to treat yourself to some stunning scenery at stunning speeds, the Lyria TGV will transport you to Zurich at 198 mph. The letters 'TGV' stand for 'Trains a Grande Vitesse', meaning, somewhat less grandly, 'high speed train.' The EuroCity pendolino train takes you in the morning through the Swiss Alps to Milan and from there make a connection to Florence, Venice, Naples or Rome. Alternatively, the Artesia sleeper train will carry you direct to Rome, Florence or Venice.
Want to see more of Italy? Milan to Turin or Genoa are short journeys. You can train from Venice or Verona to Siena or Pisa via Bologna. Further down the coast, zip across the country to Rome from Pescara or Naples. Curl around the west coast from Naples right down to the tip of the toe of Italy's boot and cross the straits to Sicily on the boat train.
Crossing to Sicily by train is a treat in itself. Direct Inter City trains from Rome and Naples, and overnight sleeper trains from Rome, Florence, Venice, Turin and Milan all get shunted onto the ferry for the brief crossing to Sicily. The crossing takes about three quarters of an hour.
Sleeper trains have a range of carriages at a price to suit everyone. The couchettes are the cheapest, albeit less private. First Class couchettes have four berths and Second Class, six. They are mixed gender, although women traveling unaccompanied are allowed to book spaces in female-only accommodation. One does not undress at bedtime, but remains in regular clothing. There is one attendant for each pair of cars to convert the coach into it's bedtime shape, provide pillows, sheets and blankets and to serve drinks and continental breakfast in the morning.
The more comfortable Standard and T25 sleeper cars offer more privacy. They carpeted and each compartment has a washbasin and bed and converts into a private sitting room for morning and early evening travel. Attendants sell light snacks, drinks and breakfast. Longer routes, for example, from Milan to Naples, have a luxury 'Excelsior' car where each one or two-bedded compartment has its own toilet and shower.
There are, of course, highways in Italy if that's what you prefer. The minimum age for driving a car is 18, insurance is mandatory and traffic fines are on the spot and fierce. You may also be required to convince the authorities that you have written permission to drive the car if you cannot prove that you own it outright.
Once on the continent, there are three options for reaching your destination in Italy by train. The Artesia TGV arrives in Milan or Turin from Paris by late evening; the cost is GBP 30.
If you have a little extra time to spare and want to treat yourself to some stunning scenery at stunning speeds, the Lyria TGV will transport you to Zurich at 198 mph. The letters 'TGV' stand for 'Trains a Grande Vitesse', meaning, somewhat less grandly, 'high speed train.' The EuroCity pendolino train takes you in the morning through the Swiss Alps to Milan and from there make a connection to Florence, Venice, Naples or Rome. Alternatively, the Artesia sleeper train will carry you direct to Rome, Florence or Venice.
Want to see more of Italy? Milan to Turin or Genoa are short journeys. You can train from Venice or Verona to Siena or Pisa via Bologna. Further down the coast, zip across the country to Rome from Pescara or Naples. Curl around the west coast from Naples right down to the tip of the toe of Italy's boot and cross the straits to Sicily on the boat train.
Crossing to Sicily by train is a treat in itself. Direct Inter City trains from Rome and Naples, and overnight sleeper trains from Rome, Florence, Venice, Turin and Milan all get shunted onto the ferry for the brief crossing to Sicily. The crossing takes about three quarters of an hour.
Sleeper trains have a range of carriages at a price to suit everyone. The couchettes are the cheapest, albeit less private. First Class couchettes have four berths and Second Class, six. They are mixed gender, although women traveling unaccompanied are allowed to book spaces in female-only accommodation. One does not undress at bedtime, but remains in regular clothing. There is one attendant for each pair of cars to convert the coach into it's bedtime shape, provide pillows, sheets and blankets and to serve drinks and continental breakfast in the morning.
The more comfortable Standard and T25 sleeper cars offer more privacy. They carpeted and each compartment has a washbasin and bed and converts into a private sitting room for morning and early evening travel. Attendants sell light snacks, drinks and breakfast. Longer routes, for example, from Milan to Naples, have a luxury 'Excelsior' car where each one or two-bedded compartment has its own toilet and shower.
There are, of course, highways in Italy if that's what you prefer. The minimum age for driving a car is 18, insurance is mandatory and traffic fines are on the spot and fierce. You may also be required to convince the authorities that you have written permission to drive the car if you cannot prove that you own it outright.
About the Author:
Eric Simmons is a cycling enthusiast who helps others find out about italy bike tours make sure you check-out www.italybiketours.net/.
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