How to explore Italy like a local
20/06/2025 · By Tim Hall
Expert Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and blogger Tim Hall discusses how to explore Italy with his top tips and advice about food, drink and culture.
Read moreWelcome to the new home for Rail Discoveries. Here at Great Rail Journeys, we are marking a significant milestone as we merge our two sister brands. All the same great tours are exclusively available here on our Great Rail Journeys website and will be called our Discoveries collection.
Our commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences is stronger than ever and we see this as an exciting new chapter. The knowledgeable Tour Managers, award-winning Customer Service team and transportation services you've come to trust with Rail Discoveries will continue seamlessly.
Italy has always been a true favourite on Rail Discoveries, and we intend to increase the offerings of tours to this fantastic destination. Travelling by train with us offers a unique opportunity to discover Italy like never before. Enjoy delicious local food and wine in Tuscany, discover Sicily's Greek history, and see famous landmarks. Uncover the floating city of Venice or experience a sunset stroll along the UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast, famous for its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear seas - Italy has it all.
As always, our expert team in York is on hand, whether that is a tour you have booked, deciding on your next holiday with us or any other questions you may have.
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Experience Italian traditions on a relaxing, GRJ all-inclusive holiday to the unspoilt heel of southern Italy. Arriving by plane, enjoy a scenic base in a hotel overlooking the coast of Monopoli, a short distance from a white sandy beach. From here, we explore Puglia, a place untouched by the hands of time. Discover the spectacular trulli homes...
Discover the towns and villages of the Italian Riviera which sparkle beside the Mediterranean Sea, as we explore the Cinque Terre and the harbour town of Portofino. Explore the pastel-hued fishing village of Camogli, a hidden gem, and relax in Sestri Levante - a town between two bays. Sail to San Fruttuoso abbey, set in a secluded cove and only...
Soak up the laid-back atmosphere of one of Italy's most beautiful lakes on a GRJ All Inclusive holiday to peaceful Lake Garda. Sail to the idyllic lakeside towns of Sirmione and Malcesine to uncover colourful streets, impressive scenery and amazing views. Enjoy guided tours of two of the region's most fantastic and fascinating cities as you...
Travelling out by rail and flying home, this extraordinary holiday blends history, fascinating culture and opportunities to relax beside the coast. The tour features iconic sites as well as exploring less-visited locations in Puglia and Basilicata in Italy's southern heel. On sightseeing excursions, uncover unique architecture, including the...
Fly direct to the unspoilt toe of Italy to uncover the hidden beauty of Calabria on this GRJ All Inclusive holiday based in the lovely coastal village of Tropea. Cruise to the volcanic island of Stromboli, the 'lighthouse of the Tyrrhenian Sea', to witness its colourful eruptions by night. Discover the timeless towns of Scilla and Pizzo on the...
Explore the delightful Italian Riviera from a base in Chiavari and view the colourful cliffside Cinque Terre villages on a cruise. Relax on a cruise to glamorous Portofino, a popular village set within a natural harbour, before uncovering San Fruttuoso abbey, located on a beach in a peaceful cove. Delve into the history of Genoa, the former city...
Soak up the beauty, serenity and relaxed ambience of three of Italy's glorious lakes. Staying in a hotel on the peaceful shores of Lake Orta, quieter than its famed neighbours, we explore Como's lakeside towns of Bellagio and Menaggio during a cruise. Visiting Lake Maggiore, Italy's second largest lake, become immersed in the artistic history of...
Explore the serene beauty of Italy's lakes from a base in the attractive town of Stresa, a haven for artists and writers over the centuries nestled on the shore of Lake Maggiore. Enjoy a cruise to an island monastery on Lake Orta and explore the lakeside village of Orta San Giulio. Journey through the Alps to Switzerland on the Centovalli Railway...
Staying in the lovely Tuscan spa town of Montecatini Terme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ideal base for exploring this cultural region, enjoy a holiday that captures the essence of Tuscany - from the grand Renaissance art and architecture of Florence to the amazing piazza and medieval alleyways of the ancient city of Siena. Taking in...
From a base in Giardini Naxos, explore eastern Sicily to uncover its perfect combination of scenic coastline, historic cities and unique culture. Enjoy a guided tour of Taormina and its breathtaking Greek theatre overlooking the Ionian Sea, and uncover the ancient town of Syracuse, the birthplace of Archimedes. Journey up Mount Etna and view its...