A Taste of Italy – Padova, Bologna & Stresa

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.