We embrace the opportunity to celebrate our 25 years together in Italy. This journey was a feast for our senses—culinary delights, romantic moments, and cultural experiences—each step helping us craft even more wonderful memories. I’m excited to share some details about the trip and tips for traveling on a train across Italy.
Our journey began in Genova, a port city with a rich history dating back to the 5th century BC. This city is the birthplace of Pesto and the Capital of Liguria.
Basil everywhere, focaccia, fresh fish, and seafood, mmm!
I still dream about it!
The Grand Hotel Savoia was a perfect choice during our stay. It is just a stone’s throw from the train station, and the breakfast included was very, very good!
We had a coastal day trip to Portofino, but we needed more time to savor Genoa’s culinary and architectural delights, so we extended our stay. In 2006, UNESCO declared 42 Palazzi di Rolli in Genova a World Heritage Site, a testament to its architectural splendor. You can explore most of them along Via Garibaldi. We ended our last day eating at Cavour 21. Great food with local ambiance and great prices. Love it!
You can take a coastal day trip to Portofino, Santa Margarita, or Cinque Terre. Santa Margarita is less crowded. To get to Portofino, take a train to Santa Margarita and then a bus to Portofino. You can buy the tickets in any of the nearby stores. To Cinque Terre, check the Cinque Terre Express by Trenitalia.
Genova
The second stop was Emilia Romagna, Italy’s Food Valley.
With its 44 products registered as PDO or PGI, Emilia Romana is a unique region we found ourselves drawn to. In Emilia Romagna, we visited Parma and Modena. Bologna was on our one-day trip schedule, but we couldn’t leave earlier. The allure of these places and the desire to return made us extend our stay.
Visiting Parma and Modena was a truly remarkable experience. They are both my place: super relaxed, with fantastic culture, art, Opera, food, and fast cars. What more can I ask for? In short, I could live there.
The Prosciutto di Parma’s color and texture, the Parmigiano Reggiano’s aroma, and the syrupy balsamic vinegar of Modena’s excellent taste were beyond our expectations.
We stayed at NH Parma, which is less than a minute’s walk from the train station. The service was very nice; the room had a terrace, breakfast was included, and the room was spotless, so it was a lovely stay. We walk around Parma and visit the must see attractions. Don’t miss the Galleria Nazionale, it has an impressive art collection and there I met La Scapiglita from Leonardo Da Vinci. I learned that Parma was given to Napoleon’s wife, Maria Luigia, and she received the title of Duchess of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla under her leadership, she devoted herself to numerous architectural and cultural projects, and Parma became a center of elegance and refinement.
After seeing all the beautiful art, we had lunch at Trattoria Sorelle Picchi. I can’t explain how delicious the food was. They serve a Mostarda sauce with the Parmigiano Reggiano that has an amazing, unique flavor—you just have to taste it! On our last night, we dined at Trattoria Tribunale, which was charming and also delicious. This place had a more relaxed atmosphere, and I will always remember the ossobuco with risotto!
In Modena, we stayed at Casa Maria Luigia. We will never forget the place, the surroundings, the art, the quality and serious business of the food, and the impeccable service. The place belongs to Chef Massimo Bottura and his brilliant and charming wife, Lara. I really don’t have enough words to describe our experience. It was a relaxing and delicious escape from my husband’s work. We were also lucky to meet Chef Massimo and Lara. Don’t miss the balsamic vinegar experience!
We look forward to returning soon!
The third stop was Turin, located in Piedmont, the region of white truffles, chocolate, Barolo, and Barbaresco.
First of all, walking around Torino and seeing the Alps was unreal. Some locals told me I was lucky that the weather we had there permitted views of the Alps.
We stayed at Opera 35. Breakfast was included and was very good. We visited the Costardi Brothers Caffè San Carlo. There are lovely views from the remarkable Piazza San Carlo, and the aperitivos were great. We also had dinner at ScaT_To, which is also from the Costardi Brothers. There is excellent food, and Chef Christian is definitely a risotto master. I was thrilled to meet him, and he gave us the risotto tin can.
Turin is a fascinating city, so we walked around, ate a delicious pizza for lunch, and visited Museo Nazionale del Cinema, where you can go to the top and have a fantastic view of Turin. Then, we walked around Via Roma, Via Garibaldi, and Via Carlo Alberto, indulging in the local gelato and pastries. There are many things to see and eat in Torino. We finished our last day with drinks and great food at Bar Cavour, which we loved.
Our fourth stop was Lombardy, where we visited Lake Como and Milan.
Lake Como, with its breathtaking views, captivated us. It was a romantic and enchanting destination, perfect for our anniversary trip. The scenery at Lake Como was so stunning that it felt almost unreal, reminiscent of a backdrop from New Zealand.
We stayed at the Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio. Bravo! We have received excellent service and attention since our arrival. The General Manager, Marco, left us daily notes and a warm welcome in our room, including a bottle of prosecco, aperitivos, and a delightful anniversary cake. It was super lovely and delicious! The breakfast was fantastic, and the view was truly the best imaginable. Also, dinner here is terrific. We can still remember the tasty rack of lamb that we ate. Last but not least, the bar, great cocktails, food, and excellent service.
We spent a wonderful day visiting Villa Carlotta and had our first cooking class together, which was fantastic. The cooking class was led by Arianna Capra, an exceptional teacher and host. She offers a variety of cooking classes and private dinners, so if you’re looking for a unique experience, I recommend contacting her via Instagram @ariannacapra_.
I recommend visiting Hotel Grand Tremezzo to have drinks and eat there too. You will not regret it!
Although a wind advisory at the end of our trip changed our plans, we enjoyed every corner of Menaggio and Tremezzo. I definitely plan to return and complete our vacation plans in Lake Como!
Last stop: Milan, one of the world’s leading fashion and design capitals. While people often associate Milan with fashion, I associate it with Veal Cotoletta and Risotto alla Milanese—that’s just me!
The hotel we stayed at was conveniently located near Milano Centrale Station, which was fantastic. Excelsior Hotel Gallia boasts a beautiful rooftop, and we enjoyed a lovely suite that included breakfast. The concierge was exceptionally attentive and assisted us with everything we needed.
I can’t find the words to describe the Duomo and The Last Supper. However, I recommend you don’t make the mistake of leaving Milan for your final destination as I did. It’s a bustling city filled with people, traffic, and excitement, and my patience was wearing thin! But then I had a meal at Ratanà, and OMG, I forgot all my worries! It was a delightful experience to enjoy Chef Cesare Battisti’s food, and meeting him was a pleasure.
The restaurant’s architecture and location are steeped in history and focus on sustainability. The food was delicious; I loved the combination of flavors. It was great to see Chef Cesare around the restaurant. I hope to return soon to try some new dishes.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and learned more about our amazing world. We also learned that no matter how many days we spend in Italy, we will never tire of its fantastic food and culture. So, see you soon!
Here are some tips to make your train journey across Italy smoother:
- Always know the names of your stations; they are not in English.
- When you arrive at the train station (Stazione), look for your platform (binario) and your coach (carrozza) number. Be ready, as trains depart very quickly. There’s no time to linger; you can move between coaches inside the train.
- Buy your tickets in online to avoid the need for validation.
- Use the Trainline and Trenitalia apps to verify your train’s status, check your boarding passes, and manage check-ins.
- Travel light! Choose carry-on luggage, duffel bags, or backpacks. This will make your journey much easier.
- If you’re visiting different places by train, consider staying in hotels close to the stations. This will save you time and money!
- Be aware of pickpockets. Always carry your crossbody bags and backpacks in front of you.
- Look for the elevators if you encounter stairs at the station and have several luggage. Ask: Salve, dove sono il ascensori?
- Try to learn some basic Italian words, phrases and manners before your trip.
Happy Travels!💫
Cooking Mama 
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