Ryan's blog

Italian Cities by Eurail Pass: Venice

Venice is often considered the most romantic city in the world.  So if you’re looking for a gift to capture a special someone’s heart, buy two Eurail Passes and take a romantic train tour through Italy to Venice.  But don’t worry if you are not here for love, because there are lots to see and do here, and who knows maybe you’ll meet someone there!  Here are some highlights from Venice, also known as the Queen of the Adriatic Sea.

 Basilica di San Marco is the perfect spot to start your Venice vacation with a stunning bird’s eye view of the city from Venice’s tallest bell tower.

Piazza San Marco is the heart of Venice and is one of the most popular tourists' destinations today with its detailed architecture. If you really want to make the most of your experience I suggest you visit it both during the day and at night and be prepared to be very pleasantly surprised by the beauty this Piazza and its surrounding holds.  Try buying some pigeon food and watch the birds flock all around you.

The Grand Canal is the most recognised icon of Venice that you can’t miss and is the best way to tour Venice. You will tour through the bustling life and gorgeous buildings on each side. The best part about the boat ride is that it's pretty cheap so you can take it a few times over to indulge in the beauty of Venice.

The museum of Guildhall Of San Rocco is another big attraction here. Established in the 16th century, the museum is the home of amazing collection of artistic works from Tintoretto. Here, you can view his extraordinary line of canvases featuring scenes from the Old Testament. T

Cannaregio is one of the six historic districts of Venice, and the northernmost of the city. It is home to five synagogues including the German Synagogue, the Italian Synagogue, the Canton Synagogue, the Levantine Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue. Beside, you can view true Venetian life here; Venetians living, working, and lots of families dining at restaurants, stores and marketplaces.

The Villa Pisani was once one of Napoleon's residences. This is the grandest villa of the Riviera, which was built in the 18th century commissioned by the wealthy and prominent Venetian Pisani family. It was sold to Napoleon  afterwards.

Goldoni's Theatre is located near St. Mark's Square and is one of the most gorgeous theaters in the city. It is dedicated to the famed comedy writer 'Carlo Goldoni' who lived and wrote in Venetian language.

The Galleria Dell' Accademia is proud to be home of the most extensive collection of Venetian art in the world. The works in the Galleria offer rare glimpses into the Venetian art works from the 14th to 18th centuries.

So mark off Venice as the last stop to finish off a perfect Eurail tour of Italy. Get yourself a eurail global pass if you're going all over Europe!

Eurail train pass summer tour: Tuscany

Buying a Eurail Train pass is the perfect way to enjoy the summer in Italy.  Italy has over 16,000km of railroad tracks across its beautiful landscape shows that your Eurail pass is more than just for transportation.  When in Italy, the classical beauty of Tuscany can’t be missed, and the train ride through its gorgeous hills and vineyards will take you to another world. Here are some great tips for where to visit and some fantastic restaurants to try while in the Tuscany region. 

The famous leaning Tower of Pisa is located in central Italy, 50 miles from Florence, is quite a site to see in real life. And it only takes an hour to get to Pisa from Florence by train. The greatest medieval town in Italy to see is Siena. Here you can just enjoy the culture by walking through alleyways and narrow streets. If you feel up to hiking up some stairs, you can always climb to the top of Siena's tall bell tower and take in some amazing views of the city and the Piazza Del Campo below. 3. The most popular place to taste wine is Chianti, which is very well known for its world-famous red wines.  Here you can sip while enjoying the picture-perfect scenery.

 Another popular place to visit to Tuscany is Lucca. Here you will find many churches and other medieval buildings that will amaze. The Roman amphitheater is located in Lucca and is over in 1900 years old. The town centre is completely enclosed by a brick wall built in the 16th century and you can take a walk along the top of the wall, which stretches 4km. Lucca is considered to have some the best food in the Tuscany region especially the tortelli lucchese.

Finally we have Florence, which will no doubt be one of the main highlights of your trip, needs a few days to fully explore. There are many different sights to see and you should be sure not to miss the Uffizi. The world-famous Uffiza Gallery is home to thousands of paintings and sculptures. Because of how popular it is you can wait up to 5 hours to get in so it is best to reserve a ticket in advance.

Tuscany houses over 2000 restaurants, and I’m sure none of them will disappoint.  Here are a few suggestions for you.

Cantine Bernardini in Lucca is known as one of the best in the area and is stylishly designed a modern twist but with many references to 16th century Tuscany. The food here is not typically Tuscan, but what customers will be provided with are exquisitely cooked dishes which are flavored to a high standard and presented with a great deal of artistry.

For the ultimate dining experience in Tuscany, La Bucacciain Cortona is where you will be spoilt with gorgeous, gourmet food, a fantastic atmosphere and a stunning environment. Providing its customers with a great selection of Chef's specials and traditional Tuscan dishes; La Bucaccia serves only the freshest food, infused with fantastic flavor combinations. This is quite a small restaurant so provides a fantastic, intimate setting but you will never feel rushed here so you are free to thoroughly enjoy your meal and the hospitality.

Il Profeta in Florence offers a full mix of great food and hospitality. This is the best place for those who are big eaters or who simply wish to indulge in as much Tuscan cuisine as possible as the portions here are quite large - especially in terms of the steaks and pasta dishes.

In Pisa, the Hostaria Le Repubbliche Marinare is the best restaurant for those looking for a great balance between food, service, price and atmosphere. Perfect for those who want to try all of what Tuscany has to offer, without breaking the bank. With highlights such as beautifully made pizzas with prices starting at a low 6 Euros to decadent desserts such as tiramisu and cheesecake, this is great for those who are eager to try some new Italian foods or simply order some classics. There is a chance that you may need to make a booking here, but it is worth the wait.

For the perfect Tuscan pizza, Gusta Pizza in Florence is the ideal restaurant for you. With a simple menu of up to 7 pizzas, there are no wild or unusual pizzas to try here but what the restaurant lacks in choice it makes up for in flavors and quality. Gusta Pizza uses only the freshest ingredients, rolling all their pizza dough by hand and with this fresh, traditional method of making pizza, you are provided with intense and high quality flavors sure to rival any pizza you have eaten in the past. With prices that go no higher than 9 Euros for a large pizza, you’re in for a great deal.

Hope you have a chance to enjoy all these great spots and restaurants to visit while in touring Tuscany by Eurail train pass.  Check out  Rome by clicking here.

Eurail Pass Summer Tour: Geneva

Traveling by train is perfect for the scenic beauty of Switzerland.  It cosmopolitan culture is set to a beautiful mountain-filled landscape. One thing Switzerland has is the most dense and efficient railway system in the world.  It claims very short wait time, dinning carts, and offers spectacular views of the Swiss Alps.  These are all great reasons to buy an Eurail pass for Switzerland. Plus with your Eurail pass you get discounts on boat services through all of Switzerland’s pristine lakes.

Geneva is one of the country’s biggest cities and has a truly global feel that must be experienced. It draws people from all over the world due to business meetings, trade fairs, festivals, diplomatic activities, cultural events and much more. Here we can even find the headquarters of international organizations such as the United Nation Headquarters and the Red Cross.  This is all set to stunning views of lakes and the nearby alps.

Lake Geneva is the main attractions with its lakeside being the jewel of the city. This is Europe's largest Alpine lake and has plenty of attractions to keep you busy.  If you just want to relax, make sure to take a boat tour and soak up the spectacular view.

The area surrounding Lake Geneva is a great place to take a stroll and the yacht-packed harbour makes a perfect spot to boat-watch. If you get hungry, the promenades along the left and right banks of the lake are filled with cafes and street markets where you can sample some the delicious local food.

The Bains des Paquis sits on the west shore of the lake and has been a favorite since 1932 and continues to draw both visitors and local. The unique saunas and bathing areas offer an authentic Swiss experience and are a welcome treat for your feet at the end of a long day.

Filling the eastern bank, the giant Flower Clock in the English Garden is a tribute to Geneva's watch industry and is truly a sight to see. The dial is composed of around 6500 flowers and is updated with new arrangements several times per year, as if time is passing on the watch.

Another feature of the lake is the Jet d'eau, one of the world's tallest water fountains shooting up to 140 metres into the air, with up to 7000 liters of water.

Geneva's history Old Town is a maze of cobblestone streets and winding alleyways which are filled with cafes and boutiques, with historical landmarks scattered through-out. A former Roman marketplace, the Bourg-de-Four is the oldest public square in Geneva and is a fun and busy spot.

Also in the Old Town is Saint Peter's Cathedral. Located on Cour Saint-Pierre the Cathedral towers over the Old Town and is Geneva's oldest architectural treasure. The Cathedral was began in 1160 and took over 400 years to complete.

In Geneva you have to visit the European Headquarters of the United Nations. The Art Deco building is accessible only via a guided tour and offers a true insight into how one of the world's most important international organisations operates.

There is all this and much more in the vibrant city of Geneva, so make sure to plan a stop here on your Eurail train tour of Switzerland. If you're going longer in Europe, then check out a eurail global pass.

Eurail Pass Summer Tour: Bern

Make sure to buy a Eurail pass if you want to visit Switzerland.  This is the only way to experience the spectacular view of the Swiss Alps.  It cosmopolitan culture is set to a beautiful mountain-filled landscape. One thing Switzerland boasts is the most dense and efficient railway system in the world.  It claims very short wait time and dinning carts. Plus with your Eurail pass you get discounts on boat services through all of Switzerland’s pristine lakes.

Fot the most authentic alps experience, one must travel to the middle: the Bernese Oberland region and the city of Bern.  The is home to some of the most amazing hiking trails and excursions into the higher Alps region.  There are rail and cable cars lifts to aim your time here, along with other outdoor activities.

The city of Bern sits up at 1800 feet above sea level and is the ‘U’ shaped arm of the river Aare, surrounded by historical bridges and railways and by tree-covered mountains. A tour of Bern can start at the train station and stretching along this old city with its cobblestone streets, famed clock tower, a cathedral, monuments and many ancient fountains.  

When you first arrive at the train station you will notice the supply of bear toys and gifts. There are even two real live bear pits where you can see them be fed.  This is because bears have been Bern's symbol since the twelfth century. The legend is that the duke who founded the city said he would name the city after the first animal he shot, so you know what Bern translates into.

Bern's astronomical clock tower stands at the east gate right near a marketplace you can purchase luxury Swiss goods at a discounted price. Every hour on the hour when the clock strikes, there is a four minute performance by some moving figures act out. Under the watch of father time, a jester rings the bells to a parade of bears, a knight in armor and a crowing rooster, which has been going on since the 16^th century.

Most visitors climb the 270 steps of the huge church tower of the famous Cathedral of St. Vincent in Bern to get a spectacular view of the alps. Inside the Cathedral is lovely with antique stained glass panels, although the tympanum at the west front of the Cathedral is overly decorated with nearly 250 figures portraying the Last Judgment.

The Marktgasse is the main street and is lined with centuries old houses and shops. Situated here as well is the famous prison tower now operating as a museum. There are several museums in Bern. We went inside the Swiss Alpine Museum that contained ancient maps of the Alps, mountaineering equipment used through the centuries, models of mountain huts, and anything belonging to the exploration of the Alps. It was interesting enough but could not match the beauty of the mountains themselves.

All this plus tasty cafes and chocolate shops all around, you are sure to have a great time in Bern that will make buying an Eurail pass really worth it.