599 Train Journey

At the end of August my two teenage children and I will be travelling from Brindisi to florence by train.
As the journey time is over 8 hours !!! We have decided to split the journey and stay overnight somewhere, the question is where, We have been to Rome and Naples, So I thought maybe Pescara or Termoli ?
Any suggestions on which towns are interesting to visit , with a train station, on this route , will be gratefully received.

Thanks
Fiona

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2005 - 08:42

What I think is a nice town and certainly worth a visit in my view, is the coastal town of Cattolica, which is on a main train line. Not sure if it is handy as part of your journey though.

Jan

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2005 - 11:10

Pescara is OK(ish) but not the prettiest city in the world. I know the place reasonably well, but even locals find it difficult to say nice things about Pescara. It was a fishing village (mostly) until it was "improved" by Mussolini and made capital of the region. Then it got bombed heavily and a lot of 60s building happened. From the station it's a very short walk to the lungomare, which takes you through the best part of the shopping streets. The old town is famous for its bars and its jazz clubs, mostly the places that students like to hang out.

You don't say which way you are going (via Bologna or via Rome) but I would have thought it better to stop over in the city where you change trains. Personally I would favour stopping in Bologna, I love the city and if you are arriving by train theres a fairly anonymously Eurobland Star Hotel opposite the station then it's a short walk around the corner into the centre of Bologna with its not one, but two (count them!) leaning towers. And Bologna is a 24/7 city with bars and restaurants open late into the night.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/17/2005 - 04:45

If you get an early direct train (about 8 am) - be in San Benedetto del Tronto at 12:30. Spend the night there and the next morning head off to Florence.
Or go to Rimini which is a lot more than half way but at least the next day your train time will be shorter.
Get most of it out of the way day 1 so day 2 of train travel will seem like nothing!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/17/2005 - 10:58

Fermo, Porto San Giorgio is a sweet little place to break the journey, pleasant small town, in summer it always seems to have something going on, plenty of Hotels, nice beach.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/18/2005 - 06:48

You might find it difficult to get one nights accommodation
near the coast in August

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/21/2005 - 08:33

Hello, I can recommend Trani where I live. Its 40 minutes north of Bari on the main Trenitalia line. It's a stunning town with a unique cathedral overlooking the sea and a lovely port. It's very picturesque and definitely worth seeing.
Tamzin

[url]www.tjhardy24.freeuk.com[/url]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/21/2005 - 12:34

Thank you to everybody for all your replies,

You have come up with some great suggestions, now all I need to do is make a choice, it's going to be difficult.

The problem with Italy is that there are so many stunning places to visit, I always feel that I have missed somewhere!

I am determined to travel and see as much as possible when we move and not just spend all the time in Florence, although I'm sure it will take quite a while to see everything there. Must remember to do all the touristy things when the tourists are not around!

Maybe my journey will be a story for Francesm.

Fiona

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/21/2005 - 13:55

Yes,
I, and others I am sure, look forward to your story!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/27/2005 - 03:36

If you would like to be on the beach I would suggest pescara...the city itself isn't that exciting, but theres some good shopping there and many beaches along the coastline

I can't say much for the other places you named cuz I haven't been there

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/27/2005 - 05:43

One way to decide is to think about how long you want to spend on the train for the day and stop in the town which is for example 4 hours and 20 minutes away from your destination (or departure).

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/09/2005 - 10:35

It would probably be best to go on to florence as it is onyl 50 mins from bolonga and some quite reasonable hotels.Pay 10 euros extra and use eurostar.