We will be leaving Rome on an early train to Venice and I was wondering if there is somewhere on the train route we might be able to spend the day experiencing the Tuscan countryside. Looking for small village maybe with vineyards, rolling fields and tall cypress trees. Not sure our route will take us close enough to an area like this to just spend the day, but need to be in Venice early evening. Thanks for any suggestions!
Posted by
OKC, OK, USA
17 posts
I think that there are connection options in Bologna, Florence, and Milan. I would stop in Florence.
Posted by
River Falls
11 posts
Hi Lisa, do you already have other connections you need to make or is it a direct train to Venice? We just took the early train to Venice from south of Milan on Saturday and the whole trip took longer than we expected. We had one very short train change in Bologna but between arriving early (1/2 hour) to make sure you find the right track and waiting in line in Venice at the train station for backpack storage (the lockers are no longer working) and the WC and then a vaporetti pass, we didn't actually "get going" in Venice when we wanted to. Maybe you have already experienced this route and know moreit just surprised us to have what we thought would be a 2 hour train ride turn into 6 hours of time, start to finish. Enjoy your adventure!
Posted by
OP
smyrna, tn, usa
8 posts
We are looking at the 6:45 a.m. out of Rome to Venice in 3:48 minutes, ( on 30/09/2011) so seems to be a straight shot. Zero connections listed. But this was just for more time in the city. We could take a different one, just not sure where to go. Need to be in Venice no later than 6 p.m. or 7p.m. I haven't been able to see the exact route to know what we are going close to. We could take a different train, but I can't seem to find details on the routes. Not sure I am using the trenitalia site very well. This will be our only train trip in Italy as our flights are into Rome and out of Venice back to the U.S. :)
Posted by
austin
17 posts
The trains go from city to city....or at least town to town. You need a car, a bus, a bike or a tour to really see the beauty of the Tuscan landscapes. Good luck.
Posted by
River Falls
11 posts
:) Lisawe found trenitalia.com a bit difficult to understand as well. We ended up having a local person help us buy our tickets at the station for our first time. I agree with the other poster who said you will need a bus or car to get off the train route to spend the day in Tuscany somewhere, and that will take too much of your traveling day to navigate. Feel free to email me, I am here now and can answer other questions for you, if you like.
Posted by
Guildford, UK
15 posts
I think you'll have to content yourselves with looking out of the train windows! Like someone said, you need a car and lots of time to get out into that sort of countryside. However, views from trains are sometimes spectacular. Good luck!