A Taste of Italy – Padova, Bologna & Stresa

Holiday Highlights

  • Relaxing rail journeys through France and Italy
  • Stays in good quality, centrally located hotels
  • Explore the historic cities of Padova and Bologna
  • Relax by the lakeside resort of Stresa
  • Cruise on Lake Maggiore and visit Isole Borromee
  • Time to see the sights of Lyon
  • 14 days from £2,280pp sharing
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Ffestiniog Travel created this 14-day rail tour for a couple who wanted to experience a varied taste of Italy by visiting three different Italian destinations. They travelled by train from London across Europe to enjoy stays in Padova, Bologna and Stresa. If you would like to create your own rail tour around Italy contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click the Request a Quote button.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Overnight in Lyon

Boarding a lunchtime Eurostar train from London St Pancras the couple enjoyed a leisurely journey through France, changing in Lille and arriving in Lyon for an overnight stay at the Ibis Styles Lyon la Part Dieu Hotel, a 2 minute walk from the railway station. The hotel is located close to Oxygen Tower, Musee Lumiere, Lyon Opera and the ‘old town’ is less than 3km away.

Days 2 to 5 – Padova

A mid-morning train took our Ffestiniog Travellers on a relaxing rail journey via Geneva and Milan, arriving in Padova that evening. Their accommodation for the next 4 nights was the Hotel Grand'Italia. This Art-Nouveau designed hotel was built in 1909 and features a delightful breakfast room. Padova is home to Italy’s second oldest university, boasts an attractive ‘old town’ and basilica that houses the tomb of St Anthony of Padua, the town’s patron saint and has reputedly the oldest botanical garden in Europe - dating back to 1545.

Days 6 to 8 – Bologna

After a leisurely breakfast the couple boarded a late morning train for a short, 1 hour journey to Bologna. Their three-night stay was at the elegant Internazionale Hotel, a historic building located in the city’s historic centre, just an 8-minute walk from Bologna Centrale Train Station. It is ideally located for exploring the city, famous for its red brick buildings. Medieval and Renaissance buildings surround Piazza Maggiore and Piazza Nettuno – home to a huge bronze statue of Neptune. Known as the birthplace of spaghetti bolognaise, it is a place to savour some rich cuisine.

Days 9 to 12 – Stresa

Another late morning train, via Milan, to reach their final Italian destination, Stresa. Here the couple stayed 5 nights at a hotel situated a short distance from the lake, beach and Stresa’s historical centre. Based on the western shore of Lake Maggiore, it is an ideal place to relax, take the funicular to the top of Monte Mottarone and enjoy lake cruises. From here you can explore the Isole Borromee – the main two islands are Bella and Madre, home to palaces and gardens.

Day 13 – Return to Lyon

Our Ffestiniog Travellers took a quicker homebound rail journey to Lyon, arriving mid-afternoon, time to see more of the capital city of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Another overnight stay at the Ibis Styles Lyon la Part Dieu Hotel.

Day 14 – Homeward Journey

The close proximity of the hotel meant that the couple could wait for their train in comfort thanks to the window that looks directly onto the TGV train departures and is less than 5 minute walk from the platform. A morning train departure via Lille to arrive London St Pancras early afternoon.

Selected Hotels

Ibis Styles Lyon la Part Dieu Hotel, Lyon

Hotel Grand'Italia, Padova

Internazionale Hotel, Bologna

Hotel Du Parc, Stresa

Please note - hotels can be subject to change

Price Includes

  • All rail travel as stated
  • Standard Premier on Eurostar
  • 1st class rail pass
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis

Price per person

From £2,280 per person sharing

Single room supplement £650

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Why Choose Ffestiniog Travel?

  • UK's first rail tour operator to run an overseas escorted rail holiday in 1974
  • Created for people who love rail holidays and exploring the world’s heritage railways
  • Dedicated rail holiday specialist - great destinations, sightseeing and unparalled railway content
  • Train ticket supplier for worldwide rail operators - we can plan and arrange your rail journey to anywhere
  • Knowledge of the world’s rail routes makes us leading specialists in escorted and Tailor Made rail holidays
  • Over 60% of our existing rail tour travellers return to holiday with us year after year
  • Committed to supporting rail travel and heritage railways around the world
  • Our profits support the continued preservation of the famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
  • Small, dedicated rail holiday travel team offering an award winning personal service

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