By Train Through Northern Italy

Some trips are planned for months. Others are born from a simple idea: to take a train and see a few remarkable places. That's how our journey through northern Italy began, taking us through Venice, Verona, Sirmione on Lake Garda and Milan.

It was a trip that showed us how easy it is to explore Italy without a car. All the places we visited are very well connected by the rail network. Trains run frequently, are comfortable, and journeys between cities take relatively little time. Thanks to that we could focus on discovering new places instead of planning routes, looking for parking, or sitting in traffic.

Our adventure began in Venice. From the very first moments the city feels like it belongs to another world. The absence of cars, narrow streets, numerous bridges and canals create a unique atmosphere. Venice had long been on the list of places I wanted to see with my own eyes, but the reality turned out to be even more extraordinary than the photos and films. Walking around the city you can get the impression that time flows differently here. It's a place full of history, art and a distinctive atmosphere.

The next stop was Verona, associated by most people with the story of Romeo and Juliet. However, the city quickly showed that it has much more to offer. The historic center, beautiful squares, atmospheric streets and an impressive Roman arena mean that Verona deserves much more attention than just the literary legend. It's one of those places that delights with its calm and elegance.

Next we went to Sirmione, located on the famous Lake Garda. The location alone is impressive. The town sits on a narrow peninsula surrounded by the lake's blue waters. Stone streets, a medieval castle and views of the surrounding mountains create a landscape that's hard to forget. Sirmione turned out to be one of the biggest pleasant surprises of the whole trip. It's a place where you can slow down, sit by the water and simply enjoy the moment.

The final stage of the trip was Milan – a city completely different from all the previous ones. Dynamic, modern, full of people and energy. This is where history meets modernity. Alongside historic buildings and the famous cathedral you can see contemporary architecture, luxury shops and bustling streets. Milan showed us another face of Italy – more contemporary and cosmopolitan.

Looking back at the whole route, it's hard to point to a single favorite place. Each had its own character and told a different story. Venice enchanted with its uniqueness, Verona with its atmosphere and monuments, Sirmione with natural beauty and tranquility, and Milan with the energy of a big city.

In upcoming posts I'll show each of these places in more detail. There will be some history, interesting facts, practical information and, of course, photographs taken during the trip. I'll also try to show the places not only from a tourist's perspective but from that of someone who likes to pause for a moment and notice more than just the most popular attractions.