%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-train-interior-italy-INTERCITYNOTTE0425-045c84b2c59541d79fd0829082555be9.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
This Overnight Train in Italy Might Be the Best (and Most Affordable) Way to See the Country
This is definitely the case for Trenitalia's Intercity Notte, the overnight train that connects major cities all over Italy. Currently, there are 24 connections between the north and south of Italy, including routes between Milan and Palermo, Rome and Trieste, and Turin and Salerno. Here's everything you need to know about Italy's night train to plan your next trip.
The 24 connections on Intercity Notte really can take you from one end of Italy to the other—plus plenty of worthy stops in between. Whether your home base is in Rome, Sicily, or Milan, you can use the train to take day trips to plenty of other parts of the country. Here are the routes as listed by Trenitalia, and how many trains run for each route per day. To and from Turin and Salerno, four trains a day
To and from Turin and Reggio Calabria, two trains a day
To and from Turin and Lecce, two trains a day
To and from Milan and Lecce, four trains a day
To and from Milan and Messina, Syracuse, Palermo, two trains a day
To and from Rome and Messina, Syracuse, Palermo, four trains a day
To and from Rome and Trieste, two trains a day
To and from Rome and Lecce, two trains on the weekend
To and from Rome and Bolzano, S. Candido, two weekend trains
You can book the tickets directly through the Trenitalia website—just make sure you know which route you plan on traveling, as the station names are listed in Italian. You can also use the site ItaliaRail.com, which allows you to filter routes specifically for the overnight train, or the Eurail website. Each route has between two and four trains per day, but even with multiple daily options, you will still want to book as far in advance as you can to ensure you get a spot.
Some of these trains can take quite a long time—the overnight route between Rome and Palermo takes nearly 13 hours. You'll want to make sure that you are picking the best option for travel, which might mean spending a little extra money so that you have the comfort and privacy you'll want during your travels.
There are four different types of tickets you can book for the train: the Basic Seat, the Comfort Couchette, Deluxe Sleeping Cars, and the Excelsior Cabin. The Basic Seat is the most affordable option and is just as it is described: it only includes a seat. It also has a fold-out table, footrests, luggage space, and outlets to charge your stuff—but in reviews across the internet, there's not a lot of privacy or comfort in these seats.
The Comfort Couchette fits up to four people and includes full lie-flat sleeping spaces, but if you're traveling alone, you may be sharing the space with strangers. They do have women-only bookings available for the couchette option. The Deluxe Sleeping Cars and the Excelsior Cabin are where the real bells and whistles come out with more spacious beds, freebies, and other amenities. The Excelsior Cabin even includes a free breakfast, which might be worth it for those who want as much of a hotel experience as possible.
Tickets for the overnight train for longer routes start at around $45. But the prices will vary widely depending on which route you book, which type of seating you select, and your date of travel. For example, browsing for a ticket from Rome to Palermo in mid-June, I found tickets for between $69 and $160. Make sure to book in advance to give yourself the best range of options and prices for the night train.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-cala-goloritze-beach-italy-BSTBEACHWRLD0625-7f10a56c01d945a99f8b066c3860c1c4.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
3 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Remote Italian Beach Was Named Best in the World—and the Water Is 'Unbelievably Clear'
As you start to finalize your plans for the year, you may want to leave room in your schedule for a trip to Italy—specifically, to Sardinia, where you'll find the official best beach in the world. According to The World's 50 Best Beaches, this prestigious title goes to Cala Goloritzé, a remote beach in the southern part of the Golfo di Orosei. 'While the entire Baunei Coast is stunning, Cala Goloritzé stands out, thanks in part to its dramatic 143-metre [469-foot] limestone pinnacle, reminiscent of something out of a cathedral. The water here is unbelievably clear and perfect for swimming, but what truly sets this beach apart are the strong conservation efforts that protect it,' the site reads. It's clean, the turquoise waters are divine, and boats have to stay at least 600 feet away, keeping the coast free of any traffic or excess noise. The 50 Best Beaches list was put together by 'judges, Beach Ambassadors, and [the] World's 50 Beaches team.' The site notes that travel professionals are initially asked to vote on the beaches they think deserve recognition. The team then uses those numbers to choose the final ranking, although they also take into account other criteria, including calm waters, unique landscape, wildlife, crowds, and the untouched nature of the beach. And it doesn't get more pristine than Cala Goloritzé, where a limited number of admission tickets are sold each day. Travelers can book their €7 pass through Heart of Sardinia. Those who are hiking down to the beach should be prepared for a trek—water, sunscreen, and walking shoes are highly recommended. The Baunei tourism board (Baunei is the closest town to the beach) notes that it'll take around an hour and a half to reach the beach from the Su Porteddu campground, and it's a two-hour journey back. If you're on a boat, you'll need to be able to swim the 600 feet from your watercraft to the shoreline. People enjoying the famous Cala Goloritze on the Orosei Gulf. The effort is worth it, though. When you reach Cala Goloritzé, you'll be greeted by a stunning rock arch and the aforementioned limestone spire known as Punta Caroddi . If you visit during the high season (July and August), you'll likely run into more people, so The World's 50 Best Beaches suggests planning your trip for June or September. You'll get fewer crowds and 'excellent weather.' The average high in both June and September is around 78 degrees Fahrenheit—perfect for a refreshing post-hike swim in the crystal-clear waters.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-exterior-forestis-dolomites-FORESTIS0725-bf36762a5bd448f19fabcc73d31c1976.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
4 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Mountain Resort Shows You an Unexpected Side of Italy—with Forest-inspired Dining, Healing Wellness Rituals, and a Royal History
The Dolomites are truly the star of the show here, and the sweeping views do not disappoint. This is a wellness getaway for the mind, body, and spirit—from fresh-pressed juice in the mornings, to complimentary outdoor activities, to the spa. Dinner is a choice of a four or seven-course tasting menu using fresh, local ingredients; ordering a la carte is also an option. In addition to standard massages and facials, the spa has unique options, like tree circle ceremonies and healing wood treatments. For mountain-loving travelers looking for adventure in Europe, there's no better home base to explore Italy's Dolomites than Forestis. You can find this luxe hotel on a lofty perch above the clouds with direct views of the mountains. The adults-only hotel is surrounded by dense forests (hence the name), and expertly pairs easy access to outdoor activities with a wellness and relaxation focus. Forestis is a year-round destination, and in the summer, there are plenty of hiking trails to explore, while the winter offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. And don't be deceived by the chic, modern design—this is a property with a past firmly rooted in the region's history. The main building was once a mountain getaway for the royal Austro-Hungarian family, where some came to recover from tuberculosis in the fresh, pine-scented mountain air. After the end of World War II and the fall of Austria-Hungary, the area became Italian. The property sat abandoned for 100 years, until it was finally bought, renovated, and reopened as a hotel in 2020. In addition to the original main building, Forestis has added two large towers, which house its Tower and Penthouse Suites—the views are stunning. In contrast to many of the Bavarian-style alpine homes and hotels found in this region, Forestis feels straight out of the pages of your favorite design magazine. Minimalist but expertly curated, details include a concrete spiral staircase in the spa, curved banquettes for dinner tables, a brand new wine cellar made to feel like a wine cave, and fire pits on the stone terrace surrounded by deep outdoor sofas dotted with shearling blankets. Rooms have wood floors, walls, and ceilings, with neutral cream, gray, and black decor. The carefully curated vibe even extends to the on-site food shop and clothing boutique. The long wooden shelves might have just one hat with a simple tree logo on it, or a few bags of pasta lined up just so. Mountain views from the outdoor patio. Hannah Freedman/Travel + Leisure But there's an obvious reason the hotel keeps the interiors somewhat understated. From the oversized windows in nearly every common area, to the positioning of the spa pools, to the amphitheater-style seating at dinner, Forestis makes its message clear: The outdoors are the real show here and the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites are the star. And whether you're a hiking enthusiast, a winter sports lover, a serious foodie, or just seeking a peaceful retreat, this spa hotel has it all. Take a hike or head out on skis with an experienced guide on a route tailored to your level, savor the nightly seven-course tasting menu, enjoy complimentary stretching or meditation sessions, or just relax in a cozy spa nook before taking a dip in the indoor and outdoor heated pools. All with a jaw-dropping mountain view backdrop, of course. Here's what it's like to stay at Forestis Dolomites. There are 62 rooms and suites at Forestis Dolomites. I'll cut to the chase—if you're going to stay here, you should absolutely splurge on a Tower Suite. As someone who has reviewed hotels for eight years, it's tough to blow me away, but the epic mountain view from my suite was a seriously pinch-me moment. While the entry-level rooms in the main building are nice, but the views just don't compare. Your bed will still be cozy, but the standard rooms often have small, single windows. You'll feel like you're practically in the forest from the lofty perch of the Tower Suites. Floor-to-ceiling windows lead to a private terrace and outdoor daybed, which makes for an extremely relaxing place to enjoy a cup of tea after a spa treatment, read a book in the afternoon, or just take in the gorgeous setting after returning from a day out. Even during a rainy day, I couldn't get enough of the covered terrace—the gentle rain only added to the hotel's peaceful ambiance, and watching the mist roll over the mountains was the perfect moody backdrop. Of course, if a Tower Suite truly isn't in the cards for you, you can still enjoy the scenery from the communal terrace off the lobby, outdoor sofas on the patio, and the spa pool. Or, for a happy medium, opt for a standard Suite, which still has bigger windows and better views, just from a lower vantage point than the Tower Suites. These suites come with slim balconies so you can also still take in some of the fresh mountain air, and separate seating areas with inviting sofas. If you really want to splash out, each tower is topped with a Penthouse Suite, which each have over 2,100 square feet of space, a fireplace, a spruce wood sauna, an outdoor shower, and a stunning private infinity pool to enjoy the mountain view from. But, if a standalone private chalet is more your speed, consider staying up the road at Forestis' sister property Odles Lodge. No matter what room you pick at Forestis, all have air conditioning and heating, fluffy comforters, writing desks, ample closet space, and TVs. Bathrooms are luxurious, with heated floors, heated towel racks, and rainfall shower heads. Of course, no wellness hotel is complete without cozy robes and slippers. The robes at Forestis are a very on-brand forest green and have hoods. One particularly lovely detail I appreciated was two postcards left out on the writing desk when I arrived. Guests can fill them out and give them to the front desk attendants, who will mail them for you free of charge (my parents and grandparents loved receiving this retro souvenir). Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the restaurant. Let's face it, hotel restaurants can be hit or miss, and oftentimes, they aren't the best representations of local cuisine. As a foodie, I'm here to tell you that the dinners I had at Forestis were some of the best of my entire Italian vacation. Food is no afterthought here. A forest-to-table experience, dinner is a chef's tasting menu, and you can choose to indulge in either a four or a seven-course experience depending on your hunger levels. If you opt for half or full-board when booking your room, the tasting menu is included in your stay. However, a la carte is also always an option. The menu changes every day according to the availability of local, seasonal ingredients, so you won't get bored even if you stay for several days. Highlights from some of the meals I enjoyed were homemade tortellini in a deliciously light and frothy sauce, wild herb dumplings with king oyster mushrooms, a perfectly tender veal rump in a mustard seed sauce, confit potatoes with a generous pour of alpine cheese and topped with grated summer truffle, crème brûlée topped with fresh raspberry jam and spruce. My mouth is watering at the memory as I type this. Breakfast is served in the same dining space as dinner, and you keep your same table for your entire stay. Waitstaff often remembered my coffee order or noticed that I'd eaten all the homemade bread and put out extra for me the next day. Breakfast is a buffet of pastries, fresh fruits, and hand-pressed juices, along with an a la carte menu should you want the kitchen to make you things like eggs, omelets, or pancakes. The bar just off the lobby serves light snacks and lunch favorites like burgers and sandwiches, along with cocktails, beer, and wine. A dark and moody space, the cocktails are just as infused with a sense of place as the rest of the property, often incorporating ingredients like local berries, handpicked herbs, fir needles, and smoky wood flavors. The hotel recently opened a new restaurant space and a wine tasting room in June, Yera. The new dining space has a lighter menu but with more variety and options than the bar menu for lunch, while the new wine tasting room is down a flight of steps and meticulously crafted to create the feeling that you're in a wine cave. The tasting room can be booked for private tastings and events. Forestis is a year-round playground for outdoor enthusiasts. In the summer, hiking trails can be found right outside the doors, and you can join complimentary guided hikes in the morning tailored to your skill and fitness level. In the winter, when the landscape is blanketed in snow, hiking can be swapped for guided ski or snowshoe outings. In addition to the usual fitness center, there are yoga and meditation rooms, and complimentary stretching, yoga, and meditation classes are held on a rotating schedule throughout the week. Each afternoon, there's also a selection of snacks and cakes in the lobby and terrace area. The onsite store is a carefully curated shopping experience where you can pick up hats, water bottles, sweaters, jackets, vests, and more. Next door, you'll find a food shop where you can pick up everything from homemade pasta to local jams to chocolate treats. The staff is also exceptionally attentive, and no detail is overlooked. Valet is complimentary; at check-in, we were greeted with a warm towel and hand-pressed juice on a wooden tray complete with a spring of pine. After a day out hiking, we came back later not only to a clean room, but clean boots as well. The spa is at the center of Forestis, both in literal location and in spirit. The sprawling space includes an indoor/outdoor heated pool that looks directly out at the mountains. Cozy daybeds and nooks are an inviting spot to relax and soak in the view in between visits to the pool and sauna (though be aware that clothing or swimsuits are not permitted in the sauna). You don't need to book a treatment to enjoy these spaces, and can come and go as you please. (Pro tip: it makes for the ultimate hangout spot if there are any rainy days during your stay.) Go up the spiral concrete staircase to find several treatment rooms for those who want to take their spa time to the next level (pun intended). While standard massages, facials, and pedicures are available, they're still infused with local touches. For my hot stone massage, an array of stones and wood pieces were presented to me and I was asked to pick the ones that intuitively spoke to me to be used during my treatment (the ones I chose turned out to be associated with stress relief, better sleep, calming the mind, and gaining clarity, which felt very fitting for me). More unique treatment offerings are also available, from healing tree circle ceremonies based on the ancient practices of the Celtic druids to an energy flow massage that helps restore the connection between the emotional and mental fields for inner balance. This hotel is for ages 14 and up. However, it is an extremely dog-friendly hotel, and I encountered several dogs, both big and small, enjoying the property and nearby hikes. The hotel will even arrange a dog bed and bowl in your suite upon request, and there is a separate dining area where dogs are allowed if you want to dine with your four-legged friend. Forestis was built using locally sourced, natural materials throughout the property. A respect for the local environment is infused in the hotel's ethos, and the property has been careful not to encroach on its natural surroundings. Additionally, the hotel has a program where guests can choose to forego daily housekeeping services and towel changes, and the property will instead use that time and energy resources towards planting new trees. At this time, the rooms at Forestis are not accessible. Forestis is located in Brixen, Italy, in the Dolomites. You'll need to rent a car and prepare for some windy roads that take you up a steep altitude climb to nearly 6,000 feet above sea level to reach the remote property. But the drive is plenty worth it for the secluded and serene destination. The town of Brixen itself is roughly a twenty-five-minute drive away from the hotel, and the closest airport is Bolzano Airport (BZO), though it's a small, local airfield that you may or may not be able to get an easy flight to depending on where you're coming from. For easier access, Innsbruck Airport (INN) in Innsbruck, Austria, to the north is about an hour and a half drive, while Valerio Catullo Airport (VRN) is about three hours away to the south. There are plenty of gorgeous hiking and skiing trails nearby, and I particularly enjoyed the Santa Maddalena Panorama Trail. The trailhead is roughly 30 minutes from the hotel, and it's an easy loop with incredible views that will have you feeling like you're in "The Sound of Music." If you're willing to drive a bit further afield, Pragser Wildsee lake, with its Instagram-famous wooden boats, is about an hour and a half away. During the winter holiday season, don't miss out on visiting the Christmas markets in Brixen and other nearby towns in South Tyrol to enjoy shopping for local crafts, enjoying the decorative lights, and warming up with mulled wine and fresh biscuits. I highly recommend opting for full or half-board to get the most out of your stay. The meals at Forestis are truly divine, and you'll definitely want to eat all or most of your meals at the property. Forestis Dolomites is a part of American Express' Fine Hotels + Resorts program, and if you book your stay with a qualifying travel card on the Amex Express travel site, you'll get fun perks like late checkout, early check-in, daily breakfast for two, and, if available, a complimentary room upgrade. The hotel is also a part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a program that lets you earn and redeem points on a collection of luxe, independent hotels across the globe. Nightly rates at Forestis Dolomites start from $850. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-bear-lake-landscape-BEARLAKEUT0725-1a928ceaa026492ca98d69b478554e79.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
9 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Lake in the Western U.S. Is Called the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies' for Its Vibrant Turquoise Water
Travelers will fly halfway around the world to find calm, crystal-clear, blue water, from the Bahamas to the Seychelles and the Gili Islands. There are, however, some locations that are closer to home for American travelers—and they're just as photo-worthy. Case in point: Bear Lake. Part of the 20-mile-long, eight-mile-wide body of water is located in the southeastern portion of Idaho, while the rest of it is located in Utah. But no matter which state you enjoy it from, you'll get to witness the famous blue waters that have earned the lake its nickname: the 'Caribbean of the Rockies.' Busy beach along Bear Lake, Utah. Believed to be one of the oldest lakes in the U.S.—it's estimated to be more than 250,000 years old—Bear Lake contains microscopic particles of white-colored calcium carbonate, mostly from the limestone of the neighboring Bear River Range. These particles reflect the water's color back to the surface—hence the relatively intense turquoise hues. Depending on how sunny or cloudy the day is, the water can appear in varying shades of blue. A man kayaks in Bear Lake. Merely looking at the water is only one way to enjoy majestic Bear Lake; it's also known for incredible swimming, with several areas featuring a gradual slope that allows visitors to enter the water easily. North Beach on the Idaho side and Utah's Bear Lake State Park's Eastside are great places to spend a day paddling about the vibrantly colored shallows. Notably, some parts of the shoreline feature more dramatic drop-offs. While many of the more trafficked beaches will require an entrance fee, there are a handful that are free—including Garden City Park & Beach, Bear Lake Rest Stop Beach, and several roadside beaches between Ideal Beach and Rendezvous Beach. The stunning blue water isn't the only fascinating feature of the lake. Bear Lake is also home to four endemic fish species: the Bear Lake sculpin, Bear Lake whitefish, the Bonneville whitefish, and the Bonneville cisco. You may also come across other native species, including the Bonneville cutthroat trout and the redside shiner. Fishing is permitted anywhere on the lake, and popular spots to try to catch something (while not on a boat) include Bear Lake State Park Marina and Cisco Beach on the Utah side of the lake. In the winter, the lake freezes over, allowing those who want to ice fish a chance to catch trout or cisco. Just make sure you have the appropriate fishing license and have read up on both states' latest regulations beforehand. If you'd prefer to see Bear Lake by boat, you have several options. For those seeking speed, Sea-Doos, ski boats, and wake boats are available to rent from various locations around the lake. Anyone who prefers a slower pace will enjoy renting a pontoon boat, kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards. The land surrounding Bear Lake is also ripe for adventure. There are several hiking trails, plus golfing with Bear Lake Golf Course and horseback riding in nearby Logan Canyon. During the colder months (from late November into April), Bear Lake Valley turns into a certifiable winter destination, with over 350 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling. Cross-country skiers also have plenty of room to roam at Bear Lake Golf Course. And if you're a downhill skier? Beaver Mountain Resort has 48 runs across 828 acres—plus an average annual snowfall of more than 400 inches. 15 Best State and National Parks in Utah Best Lake Vacations in the U.S. Aerial view of a Bear Lake beach. Unsurprisingly, summer is the most popular time to visit Bear Lake. The warm weather is ideal for swimming, boating, hiking, and all sorts of other outdoor adventures. Come August, travelers come from near and far to experience Bear Lake Raspberry Days in Garden City, Utah, an event that celebrates the harvest of the famous sweet, juicy berries with a parade, live music, a talent show, a pie-eating contest, and more. Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is a major draw in January. The two-day family-friendly affair has a lineup of exciting events, including a chili cook-off and a monster lake plunge, plus the chance to try your hand at cross-country skiing, tubing, or snowmobiling at Beaver Creek Lodge in Garden City. The closest major airport to Bear Lake is Salt Lake City (SLC). The drive to Garden City, one of the gateway towns to this part of Utah, is a little over two hours. Bear Lake is also the perfect stopping point for anyone embarking on a major Western road trip. You can continue on to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (around three hours away) and Grand Teton National Park, before rounding out your trip with a drive through Yellowstone.
