Trip To Rome —— BY TRAIN

[Monsieur]

Not by bike, nor by car, but by train. Interrail pass didn’t you know.
Not until June so only Eurostar booked to Paris so far but ‘plan’ is Lincoln-Strasbourg (via Paris) on day one and then next 10 days or so are just thoughts at this time.

I fancy Milan and the lakes for a couple of days and then Rome for another couple of days.
Never been before (skiing in Trento excepted) so would like somewhere nice and jolly (good hotel) to stay between Milan and Lake Como/Garda AND a nice small town (with a nice hotel) about 30 minutes or so outside Rome but with a train connection to the city.

Any thoughts?
Thank you

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I have started you a fresh thread.

Richard

 

[Monsieur]

Most kind Richard!

 

[wessie]

Any thoughts?

the small Lake Iseo between Como & Garda is very pretty. Only visited on a daytrip from Limone Sul Garda by car so can't suggest a hotel. Just checked, the town of Iseo and the eastern side of the lake has a rail service.

 

[Wapping]

Just to be sure, are you looking for:

A. A hotel / town between Milan and Lake Garda, with a rail connection to Milan and to Lake Garda?

B. A hotel / town, with a rail connection to Rome?

 

[Wapping]

It’s not that far between Milan and Lake Garda, do you want to stop between them?

Assuming it’s up to date, this website might be useful:

How to get from Milan to Lake Garda by Train 2025 | Trainline

Planning a day trip from Milan to Lake Garda this summer? Read our guide on how to reach Lake Garda from Milan by train in 2025 and what to do there.

www.thetrainline.com

When asked for: nice places to stay close to rome with a train station, AI offers up:

For staying in a charming location outside the city center but with easy train access to Rome, consider towns like
Tivoli
,
Orvieto
, or the coastal town of
Santa Marinella
. These places offer a different atmosphere from the bustling capital and are well-connected by regional trains.

Charming Towns

• Tivoli
  : A historic hillside town famous for its magnificent villas: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana). The town itself has a charming medieval center to explore.
  • Train journey: Around 30-45 minutes by direct regional train from Roma Termini or Tiburtina stations.
• Orvieto
  : A picturesque medieval hilltop town in Umbria, known for its stunning Gothic cathedral, underground caves, and local white wine. It's a popular choice for visitors seeking a tranquil experience.
  • Train journey: Just over an hour by train from Roma Termini station.
• Santa Marinella
  : Nicknamed the "pearl" of the Tyrrhenian Sea, this is a laid-back coastal town with clean, Blue Flag-certified beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. It's an excellent spot if you want to combine city sightseeing with some time by the sea.
  • Train journey: Approximately 54 minutes by regional train from Roma Termini.
• Castel Gandolfo
  /
  Albano Laziale
  : These historic towns are part of the Castelli Romani (Roman Castles) area, situated around the scenic Lake Albano. They served as a summer retreat for popes and Roman noble families, offering cooler temperatures and lovely lake views.
  • Train journey: About 45-55 minutes from
    Roma Termini
    .

 

[Two wheels good]

Rail travel: https://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm
Lake Orta is lovely
Moto Guzzi factory visit
If you're including a city visit Florence shouldn't be missed. (I haven't been to Milan)

 

[Monsieur]

Just to be sure, are you looking for:

A. A hotel / town between Milan and Lake Garda, with a rail connection to Milan and to Lake Garda?

B. A hotel / town, with a rail connection to Rome?

Yes to both.
Rail connection needed as no bike/car.

A: Good hotel somewhere between Milan and the lakes with a train connection.

B: Good hotel in a nice town about 30 minutes by train to Rome.

Thanks again

 

[Monsieur]

Rail travel: https://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm
Lake Orta is lovely
Moto Guzzi factory visit
If you're including a city visit Florence shouldn't be missed. (I haven't been to Milan)

Florence is a strong contender for a visit

 

[Monsieur]

Request for hotels ‘between’ and ‘outside Rome’ are purely for my dislike in staying in busy city centres

 

[Wapping]

If I wanted to stay between Milan and Lake Garda, I think I’d chose Brescia. I haven’t been for many years, but I’d bet it’s still very nice.

I’ve checked, it’s about an hour by train to Brescia from Milan. Then, from Brescia to Lake Garda, is about half an hour, again by train.

PS Staying in Brescia, you can have a spiritual connection with Bugatti’s ‘Brescia’ cars from the period 1914 to 1923.

The Bugatti Brescia at 100 | Classic & Sports Car

A century on, let’s meet the brilliant Brescia, the model that put Bugatti on the motoring map

www.classicandsportscar.com

But we digress…..

 

[The Other PaulG]

What a fabulous idea. I haven't done anything like that since Interrailing aged c.20.

Even then, the trains were very high quality, reliable and fast over long distances.

We too often default to flying - you could spend the whole train journey just enjoying looking out of the window, esp in Northern Italy.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Just checked t'internet. I thought your Interrail comment was tongue in cheek, I am sure they used to only be for under 25s.

Looking at their website, it's brilliant value, esp for those lucky enough to be over 60..!

 

[Monsieur]

What a fabulous idea. I haven't done anything like that since Interrailing aged c.20.

Even then, the trains were very high quality, reliable and fast over long distances.

We too often default to flying - you could spend the whole train journey just enjoying looking out of the window, esp in Northern Italy.

Bought the passes in the 25% off sale last month and I got a free one as I’m my wife’s ‘carer’ thanks to her blue badge.
£280 for the two of us for 7 days in one month.

 

[Monsieur]

Just checked t'internet. I thought your Interrail comment was tongue in cheek, I am sure they used to only be for under 25s.

Looking at their website, it's brilliant value, esp for those lucky enough to be over 60..!

One of my 7 travel days includes Lincoln to Strasbourg via LNER first class and Eurostar premium and another travel day back home (possibly Amsterdam-Lincoln) so leaving me 5 days worth of European train travel.
The Lincoln - Strasbourg journey on day one would have cost more than the pass on its own.

 

[er-minio]

Request for hotels ‘between’ and ‘outside Rome’ are purely for my dislike in staying in busy city centres

I can relate to that


Last spring, while in Rome, we ended up going to have a coffee at this place near parco di Veio, on via Cassia, just outside the GRA (orbital) of Rome.
It's a 30 minute drive from central Rome if traffic is normal.

I really liked it. My understanding is that the grounds are owned by the Fendi family.
There is a restaurant and they have B&Bs, but I have no idea of the prices. I suspect fairly pricey.

Instagram

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You'd have to drive (locally) though.

 

[The Other PaulG]

One of my 7 travel days includes Lincoln to Strasbourg via LNER first class and Eurostar premium and another travel day back home (possibly Amsterdam-Lincoln) so leaving me 5 days worth of European train travel.
The Lincoln - Strasbourg journey on day one would have cost more than the pass on its own.

Yep, I experimented planning a few journeys (England vs Italy in Rome isn't a terrible idea..) and the value is extraordinary. Upgrading 2nd to 1st class isn't a big leap either, and might help me sell it to Mrs G!

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Request for hotels ‘between’ and ‘outside Rome’ are purely for my dislike in staying in busy city centres

Missing a trick as Rome is the most fantastic city to just sit and watch it all happen around you

This a great hotel of faded grandeur in the very heart and used by Churchill and many movie stars and me twice

Grand Hotel Plaza - 5 Star Luxury Hotel in Rome

Discover the timeless elegance of Grand Hotel Plaza in Rome, a 5-star luxury destination with exclusive services and refined accommodations.

www.grandhotelplaza.com

 

[Oldrat]

Love the idea of a rail trip. We haven’t done that since we toured Switzerland decades ago. Sounds fab.

We’ll be following this with interest Jeremy.

 

[er-minio]

BTW there used to be a night train between Paris Bercy and Roma Termini (I was a frequent user of that). But I think it has been suppressed in recent years.

 

[Wapping]

When in Rome, I can certainly recommend a visit out to see Hadrian’s gardens.

Villa Adriana (Hadrian's Villa) Garden

This is the most complete estate to have survived the fall of the Roman empire. It is a larger and grander version of the type of layout praised by Pliny the Yo

www.gardenvisit.com

Tivoli, is a nice place too, giving its name to the famous Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen.

Me? I’d stay in Rome itself. A great city. You can pretend to be General Clark.