I'm planning a month-long trip to the Adriatic coast of Italy next May, arriving in Bari and heading north by train to leave from Venice. Which are the towns and cities on the train route that absolutely must sees? I understand that Lecce is worth the detour south from Bari, and I have been to both Bologna, Verona, and Venice previously. But what about Ancona, Pescara, and/or Padua. Are they each worth a couple nights-stay? Other charming places I am missing? Must be on a Trenitalia line, please NO buses. We're too old to manage getting on and off buses with suitcases and do not enjoy driving abroad.
Last Question: would it matter weather-wise if we started the trip in Venice and headed south? Or would Bari be too hot by the end of June?
Posted by
Milan Italy
84 posts
Hi, Giangilberto from Milan, so regarding the direction of travel, I agree with you because it is preferable to start from Bari and go up because then from may the climate is still quite mild and then from june onwards southern Italy starts to get very hot.
So I would do the same thing you do.
About the fact that you write that you are too old to manage the suitcases on the bus and you prefer to take the trains.
Let's say that the problem arises there too, however, for example Trenitalia through RFI which is the Italian railway network has a service called the Sala Blu, it is free assistance. Furthermore, 300 stations require booking in advance and it covers getting on and off and changes, so I'll send you the link to the blue room, contact them and book the assistance with them, they can help you with everything concerning getting on and off the trains.
One last thing, may is a month in which strikes start again after the winter.
Maybe there will be some on the days when you are there. I'm attaching the link to the Ministry of Transport website where the strikes are listed and updated, clearly now they are not yet.
Those for next year are here, they will gradually come, and also the Trenitalia link where there are the tables of the permanent guaranteed trains that can be consulted even now. I would tell you to skip Pescara, which is not a good option for me, but for example, a city that would be very beautiful to visit is Ravenna.
Ravenna is the home of mosaics and also has Early Christian Monuments that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, I'll give also this link below.
Furthermore, there is also the tomb of Dante Alighieri, so in my opinion, Ravenna is absolutely worth a visit. Padova is also a beautiful city with so much to see, including, above all, one of my favorite Italian masterpieces, the Scrovegni Chapel, painted by Giotto, an absolute masterpiece, it must be booked in advance.
https://www.trenitalia.com/en/information/in-case-of-strike.html
https://www.trenitalia.com/it/informazioni/treni-garantiti-incasodisciopero.html
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
18162 posts
High speed train stops along the Adriatic line you should consider:
Bari
Termoli
San Benedetto del Tronto
Pesaro
Riccione
Once situated at a hotel and unencumbered by luggage, you can consider day trips to various nearby locations, by bus or train. You can also consider a visit to the Tremiti islands from Termoli by ferry.
Posted by
seattle
2439 posts
We did a similar trip years ago. A couple of cities worth visiting that require relatively short train detours are Ascoli Piceno and Macerata. Pesaro is a pleasant city on the coast.
I would start south in Bari, weather wise.
I know you don’t want to take any buses, but Urbino is well worth making an exception. It’s less tgan an hours bus ride from Pesaro.
Posted by
new york
1831 posts
If you stop at Termoli, I recommend RESIDENZA SVEVA, an albergo diffuso in the historic district; rooms are spread out into various venerable buildings within a block of one another. Some rooms require steps,, but the owner, a lovely woman from Milano, would be very helpful with choosing a room that suits your needs and wants.
A few steps away, below the impressive castle, is DA NICOLINO, where we had a dinner of brodetto, a typical seafood dish of that coast, served in several courses.... I cannot find a website, but here is some info, in Italian only, however:
https://www.cronachedigusto.it/dove-mangio/brodetto-passione-lessenza-di-termoli-in-cucina/
You could also find brodetto in a traboccho restaurant, but I think many of those are seasonal...this article is from 2012 but you can get the idea:
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
18162 posts
I would recommend that you base yourself in one of the cities above where the high speed train strops. That way you can leave your suitcases at the hotel and take day trips by bus or train to other nearby towns without worrying about the luggage which you can leave at your base. For example from San Benedetto del Tronto, a beach resort town, you can visit Ascoli Piceno on a day trip by train (45 min each way). Likewise from Pesaro you can take a bus to Urbino on a day trip while your luggage stays at your hotel in Pesaro. From Pesaro you can also visit the Gradara castle. Take the local train to Cattolica (30 min), then the bus from Cattolica to Gradara (15 min).
Posted by
Colorado
2410 posts
My favorite coastal Adriatic city was Trani, just north of Bari. It has a lovely little port and is great for wanderIng. Great restaurants. I’d spend a couple of days there to soak up the atmosphere. Several day trips are available from there.
Posted by
OP
67 posts
Many thanks to all for a variety of input. Here is imagined itinerary so far
1) My flight lands at Bari where I spend a few days there,
2) We take the train south to Lecce. After Lecce, I am tempted to make my next stop by train at
3) Termoli, thanks again for the multiple recommendations. It looks charming and it is about 3-4 hours from Lecce, which is about as long as I wanted to be seated in a train.
4) For a fourth stop I cannot decide between ANCONA or PESARO. The towns are close enough so that if I staying in one, I can make a day-trip by train to see the other. If you had to choose between ANCONA or PESARO, which would you choose for a couple nights visit? Important to me is architecture, food and wine, and picturesque beauty. I am not planning to be going to the beach in May. I love opera but I see the Pesaro's Rossini festival is in August, as opposed to spring, so that doesn't help decide.
5) I imagine one full week's stay in Bologne, from which I can make day trips to Ravenna, Padova, and Parma.
6) Last leg of trip would be a few days in Venice before the flight back to the U.S.
Thanks again for the different feedback: I am completely unfamiliar with the Adriatic coast, and I have learned from this Forum to avoid the modern hi-rises of Pescara!