Ten days travelling by train. Pisa is the base, Italy is the place.

With little knowledge of the train networks in Europe or the rules and regulations, some research was done to buy train tickets in Italy before leaving the UK, where possible booking directly is always a preference but in this case the Trainline app was the easiest method as it displays all the train companies, prices and timings available each day and it’s simple to use without having to navigate the local apps and keeps everything in one place.

It’s important to note there is a booking fee but in this case it was worth paying the extra to know everything was locked in before the trip. By booking in advance (not much though) the tickets weren’t too expensive and it enabled a mini schedule to be created, as once they were booked there was no changing them, unless you pick an open ticket, of course.

For this particular trip it was easier to book the trains individually but I was tempted to buy an interrail pass, especially as I learned during the trip you are able to use one of the journeys on the eurostar, if you pay a small supplement. Have you ever bought an interrail ticket and what were your thoughts on using one?

Mura di Pisa, Pisa

Useful links

Travel

Trainline

Eurostar

Interrail

Italia Rail Pass

Venice Link

italotreno

TrenItalia

Visit Venice Italy

Cinque Terre Day Pass

Daily Travel Pass

Ticket Machines found on the platforms

With the trainline app you have to put in your name and have a form of ID available, however, when on the trains the conductors rarely asked for any ID.

If train tickets are bought physically at the station in Italy, then the ticket will be paper and need stamping at the ticket machines on the platforms to validate them, otherwise there is a hefty fine. STAMP YOUR TICKET. When you stamp it the machine makes a satisfying noise too, well worth the effort and saves the fine.

Upon arrival in Pisa, into one of the smallest airports I feel I’ve flown into, the walk from the airport to accommodation took roughly 15 minutes to get to Safestay hostel, a great a base with cheaper accomodation options compared to Florence or Cinque Terre and transport from Pisa Centrale, the main station, which links to all the beautiful destinations the coastline has to offer.

As Pisa was mainly booked for its location to other destinations little research was done, this can go either but I see it as a positive and on this occasion finding the Tuttomundo by Keith Haring was a lovely surprise. Thank goodness for travel companions who use TikTok eh? love that the mural happened due to a chance encounter too, you never know where things may lead, so have the random conversation.

There is plenty to do in Pisa, if you want to spend 3 hours or 3 days there, there will be something to do.

If you’re looking for something other than the leaning tower (which is incredible and to me, looks like it’s been wheeled into the spot, very theatrical feeling from it) there is the wallwalk of Pisa Mura di Pisa, check out the church along the river Arno Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina, peruse a market at Piazza dei Cavalieri, Camposanto, Piazza delle Vettovaglie, Pisa Marina, have a gelato or visit a local beach close by such as Viareggio or hop on a train and visit Florence and Cinque Terre, both highly recommended.

Highlights - The brilliant Mura di Pisa and the glorious views

Lowlights - Not being able to walk to Marina di Pisa as there wasn’t enough pavement

Florence is a great day trip, about an hour away and costs approximately £18 return which made it way more economical rather than staying in Florence which can be pricier. Upon arriving at the station you can begin to feel the history with paintings in the train station and along the streets. A short walk from the train station and I feel the only thing missing is wearing a hessian sack and I’d fit right in, it oozes history, in a way only Italy probably can with the spectacular architecture, market stalls and shutters.

The square, Piazza del Duomo, is incredible and the stunning historical buildings within it including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del fiore. If you’d like to see inside the cathedral and other buildings remember to pencil in time to wait in the queue, which can be lengthy but worth the wait, no doubt. As I’m not a huge fan of queueing I opted to admire the buildings from the outside and kept walking as there is so much beauty everywhere including Piazza della Signoria and the replica of David, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, Piazzale Michelangelo a magnificent viewing point, if not slightly ruined by the terrible tunes. If nature is more your thing, there are the beautiful Boboli gardens or take in all the side streets which are always filled with life and character.

Highlights - The incredible feeling of stepping back in time, awesome artwork and architecture.

Lowlights - The horrific music playing at the viewing point, play some beautiful Italian tunes and create the mood, it was more like a bad 90’d dance party but thankfully the view was still incredible.

Cathedral of Santa Maria

The Cinque Terre, a collection of small fishing villages along the coastline is a gorgeous place within easy reach of Pisa, the easiest way is to travel to La Spezia which costs approximately £16 return and then onto the Cinque Terre route. At La Spezia you can pick up a day pass for all the villages for about £18 euros and it is well worth the buy.

There are 5 villages to visit in the Cinque Terre including Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, Levanto is not too far from Monterosso and is worth a visit too, if time permits. One day did not seem long enough to breath in the beauty and there are many hikes which can be done between the villages. I’d definitely recommend a couple of days for this particular area, so stunning.

There is an option to find accommodation in these villages but may be slightly pricier. Pisa is still a great option to travel from but leave early to beat the crowds. Each village has its own unique style, colours and beauty. Some villages were so busy at points it felt much like an instagram backdrop but not every village was like this, it depends on the time of year and peak periods too.

The trains are modern and run frequently along this route and you’ll never be waiting too long before one appears to move onto the next village, much of the route is in a tunnel and when the coastline pops into view it is a truly stunning sight. When I got off at the first village, Riomaggiore I honestly was mesmerised by its beauty. It’s often easy to forget the gorgeousness of the world when the summer is none existent in the UK but it was right here on the corner of Italy looking out to sea, simplicity and took me back to how the slowness and simple pleasures rule.

Take a step back and breath in the beauty of The stunning Cinque Terre.

There are footpaths and trails in between the villages if you’d like to hike in between the routes or if taking the train and exploring each village when you get there, either is possible and can be easily done.

Highlights - The hike to Corniglia and the gorgeous view point overlooking the sea, well worth the walk to get there.

Lowlights - The crowded trains at peak times and amount of iphones ruining the views.

Gondola Central

Colourful houses, Burano

Views over Genoa

After exploring all Pisa had to offer it was onto Venice, as a first timer in Italy it was a must to see the swimming City or is it Floating? This train journey was taken early in the morning with TrenItalia, with a change at Florence onwards with Italo trains, for a 2pm arrival in Venice Mestre station, a more industrial area, about 10 minutes from Venice and costs approximately 2/3 euros or there is an option to buy a daily travel pass which includes train, bus and boat taxi transport, well worth the investment to travel around Venice and the islands.

The thing about train travel to places is it gives the option to rest, relax or if preferred get some work done, it’s a great way to see surrounding areas and take in the views. Whatever you prefer, there are options for first class tickets which include extras such as free wifi, snacks and such, for this particular trip I opted for standard class which was a more economical way to travel and still incredibly comfortable.

The Meininger was the accomodation for the evening, a hotel with dorm rooms, the best of both worlds and it turned out to be the cheapest rate at a bargain £21 a night, based in Mestre.

Venice is such an incredible sight, it is so different to any place I have ever visited and this is becoming rarer to find. If you have the chance to book some cheap flights, do it, go explore.

The boat to Bruano

Venice is a whirlwind of small side streets, churches, singing and stunning scenery wherever you look. On my travels I try not to use my phone much and Venice is the place to put your phone down and explore the streets, they can be small and lead to dead ends and google maps can’t save you, embrace it, get lost and explore them. It is like a huge maze and at every turn there will guaranteed be something stunning to see at the end of them.

It will also encourage talking to other fellow tourists and you might pick up a thing or two, I found out about a great travel app which came in handy for routes of the ferry boat taxis. If you’re claustrophobic take note they do like to pack them full but are are excellent way of seeing more of Venice whilst resting your legs and taking in the scenery from the boat.

There are so many things not to be missed in Venice from the spectacular Basilica San Marco, the Gondola Shipyard, Doge's Palace, Piazza San Marco, Grand Canal, Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Banksy has been holidaying here, leaving a momento with The Migrant Child, if you can find it.

It is definitely a City to take in the beauty by walking around and soaking up the gorgeous atmosphere and architecture.

As plans were limited in Venice, this made more surprising to find out there were a collection of islands close by including Murano, well know for its glassware and Burano, known for the lace work and colourful houses, if time permits they are a firm recommend.

To get to the islands its easy to use the daily travel pass, the queues can be long but go down fairly quickly, once you’re on the boat it’s approximately 20 minutes to Murano where the onward connection to Burano can be boarded. The whole journey to Burano is around 45 minutes in total and well worth the boat trip, its swifty and scenic and before long you’ll be snacking on Burano biscuits, wandering the lace laden streets whilst amongst the brightness of the colourful houses.

Murano is about 20 minutes from Burano, the canal streets are colourful and cool, with shop windows full of gorgeous glassware and not just glasses, you’ll find mermaids, baby alligators, sharks, octopuses, singing quartets, squirrels, owls and much more, think of it and no doubt the glassware will be there to be found or could be made. I opted for the baby alligator, why not eh?

Both islands are well worth the effort, they have their own energy and unique vibe, the colour, crafts and creativity will pull you in and leave a lasting impression, I would love to go again, to collect another animal glassware, drink aperol spritz in the sun and wander the cute canals.

Highlights - The stunning scenery everywhere and feeling of being in a different world.

Lowlights - Getting lost, both a highlight and a low light.

A late train was taken from Venice to Genoa for some relaxing before moving onwards into France, the accommodation for the evening was Ostello Bello hostel, located super close to the railway station, great if you’re traveling alone or arriving late at night. The hostel was a welcome place to spend a couple of evenings with friendly staff, quirky and cool decor, a huge kitchen and spacious seating areas.

Genoa is a port city filled with gorgeous architecture at every turn, it was the best place to spend some time relaxing and wandering around the streets eating sorbet or gelato. Fun Fact is it was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, the remnants of where he used to live is still there and you’ll find some glorious views at Spianata Castelletto a lovely trek to the top too. The port is a glorious place to peruse, check out the huge pirate ship from Roman Polanski’s film, Neptune apparently, The Tropical Greenhouse, Biosfera or the novelty names ships and boats, always a fun thing to do or is that just me?

Highlights - The views from above, seeing Genoa from a height was dreamy.

Lowlights - Walking around the streets at nights, it felt a tad sketchy, take a friend or map your route.

Having had some much needed downtime before moving onto the next mini adventure in France but that’s for another post. If you’d like to find out whether Nice is nice, keep an eye out, rest assured the train trip there was delightful, with a stunning coastline how could it not be?

Hopefully this post has sparked your interest, made you think about opening yourself up to traveling differently, taking the train, perhaps traveling solo or giving a hostel a whirl? This 10 days of epic train adventuring was such a beauty and can’t recommend downloading the trainline app enough (other options available too), book some tickets, take a seat and the sights. Let me know where you end up.

Reflections of the Trainline app

Highlights of using the Trainline app - When a ticket was booked from the incorrect start point, check the small details, Genoa has a few stations where you can begin your journey, Trainline made it easy for the ticket to be refunded. This was a surprise as I presumed it would be a costly mistake, however, managed to get about 90% of the ticket cost back and buy a new one. This was a real positive.

The process of buying a ticket was made simple and easy for the tickets to be stored on iphone/digital wallet.

Lowlights of using the Trainline app - When trying to buy tickets there was an option for premium for 2.73 euros, when another person was added that cost went up to 22.84 euros. The response was something along the lines of, Premium pricing is stipulated by the rail provider and can change at anytime and trainline have no insight into why. Honestly, this response didn’t really help me understand why it went up so much for adding one person and unfortunately as there are so many train operators, it can feel like issues can be shook off with this kind of answer. This is not a reflection of trainline but rather of the way in which many train operators operate but alas, I’d still use the app but this time, missed out on the premium journey, hopefully next time I will be able to book it for a bargain price.

The booking fee but loved being able to book the journeys before leaving and knowing everything was organised so the booking fee was a small price to pay for the satisfaction of knowing everything was in place before setting off.