Slow Travel Series Edition 1: By Train to Italy

We’re exploring new ways of slow travel—starting with a scenic journey from Amsterdam to Italy by train, Interrail pass in hand.

Amsterdam – Como – Florence – Sabina region (Lazio) – Rome – Milano – Amsterdam

All of this in just 10 days, with one Interrail ticket? Isn’t that cool?

The journey

Amsterdam - Como

I left Amsterdam at 20:30 and arrived—right on schedule—in Como at 11:07 the next morning. I just couldn’t stop thinking about how surreal it was: just the night before I was still at home in Amsterdam, and now I was sipping coffee in Como?

The journey itself was actually really cool. I slept through most of the first part, and then, in the early morning, we rolled into Switzerland—and that’s when the fun really began. Watching the world go by from a train window while crossing Switzerland has officially earned a spot on my list of hobbies. It’s just wonderful.

But the best part was definitely arriving in Italy!

Como - Florence

Early on Sunday morning, I decided to head to Florence so I could have the full day there. I took a small regional train to Milano Centrale, and from there I hopped on the Frecciarossa to Firenze—and oh my god, this train is heaven on earth.

The whole trip took only three hours, so I arrived in Florence around 10 a.m. I checked into the hotel of my dreams and had two lovely days to explore the city before continuing my journey on Monday afternoon.

The hotel of my dreams and a lovely 1,5 day in Florence

Florence - Sabine region

I could take my big friend, the Frecciarossa, again—this time to Roma Tiburtina, where I switched to a regional train heading to Stimigliano in the Sabina region. Here, I was visiting one of our lovely homeowners in their beautiful house, and we would spend a few days exploring the region together.

It was great to see how well the regional trains work too. I mean, within this area you’d definitely need a car—but if you’re visiting someone local who can pick you up from the station (like I was), it’s honestly perfect.

I had such a lovely time exploring this part of Lazio—it was so beautiful, green, and still so undiscovered. It felt incredibly authentic and pure. And all of that, so close to Rome!

The very very green Sabina region

After visiting two busier places (Como and Florence), it was a real treat to slow down in the countryside for a bit—before continuing my trip to my favorite city: Rome!

Stimigliano - Rome

Yay—going back to Rome is always a little celebration for me. I’m always so happy to return to the city where I lived for a couple of months. It brings back such joyful memories, and I love wandering through familiar streets and seeing familiar faces.

This time, I stayed at one of our Little Gems—and seriously, if you’re going to Rome, book this place! It was super central, and the apartments were so spacious and beautiful. It’s located right in the heart of the city, just steps from the Trevi Fountain, yet inside it feels like an oasis of calm and space. The perfect base to explore Rome’s charming cobblestone streets.

Which is exactly what we did—for two full days, until our legs couldn’t carry us any further. Then we hopped in a cab back to Termini, ready to kick back and relax in the Frecciarossa that would take us to Milano!

Rome- Milano

This is honestly amazing: the train ride from Rome to Milan takes only 3 hours (okay—3 hours and 8 minutes, to be exact). By car, it would’ve taken almost 7 hours—and that’s without traffic. Told you, trains in Italy are just perfect! We left Rome in the late afternoon and made it to Milan just in time for dinner.

We stayed at a really cool spot in Milan, Un Posto A Milano, and I can truly recommend.

The next day, we explored the city at a slow pace (yes, a little guide will follow too), ate one last slice of pizza, and stocked up on some final Italian souvenirs (aka: FOOD), before heading to Milano Centrale for the final ride home.

Stay @ un porto Milano

Milano - Amsterdam

Another thing I really loved about traveling by train is how much less stressful it feels to leave a place. When I’m flying, I always feel this tight, anxious pressure around getting to the airport, checking in, catching the flight… it just puts me on edge. But with the train, it all feels way more relaxed. Even if you miss one, there’s usually another one not too long after. Of course, I still want to catch the train I planned—but just knowing there’s that flexibility, feels way chiller.

Arrivederci Bella Italia!

All in all, I can’t recommend slow travel enough. Taking the train gave me so much more freedom, headspace, and connection to the places we passed through. Instead of rushing from A to B, the journey was part of the experience.

I loved it so much that I already booked a trip to Antwerp and I’m already looking into train options to the South of France, instead of flying into Nice.

A) because I genuinely enjoy the journey more, and

B) because it’s so much better for the environment.

I mean—don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not the person to lecture anyone on sustainability (I’ve taken my fair share of flights), but making choices like this just feels good. And if I can inspire even one person to try out the art of slow travel, then that’s already something.

A huge thanks to Interrail—and just a reminder: it’s not just for teenagers. It’s fun, flexible, and freeing—for everyone :)

X Shari