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railtour suisse · Self-guided rail tour

Unknown gems of Italy

Eight-day self-guided rail tour through northern Italy on Frecciarossa

Illustration of Unknown gems of Italy

Railtour Suisse's Unknown Gems of Italy is an eight-day self-guided rail journey through five cities in northern Italy: Bologna, Parma, Verona, Padua, and Vicenza. The tour departs from Zurich, traveling to Bologna on the Frecciarossa high-speed train in approximately 6 to 7 hours, then explores the region from a base in Verona. Days are yours to spend as you wish: wander Bologna's 40 kilometers of arcades and climb the Asinelli Tower, take a day excursion to Parma to see its cathedral and art galleries, or ride the Frecciarossa to Padua and Vicenza for Renaissance palaces and frescoes. Accommodation at three-star hotels includes breakfast. All train travel within Italy is in 2nd class and covered by a Half-Fare travelcard. This tour suits independent travellers who want the structure of rail and hotel bookings without a guide, food lovers drawn to Emilia-Romagna's cuisine, and history enthusiasts interested in Renaissance architecture and medieval cities beyond the crowded tourist circuits of Venice and Florence.

What to know before you look closer

  • Final hotel in Verona depends on availability; the pack lists one option (Hotel Mastino) but notes 'or similar' accommodations may apply
  • Giotto's frescoes at the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua require an early reservation, per the itinerary
  • The tour is self-guided; you navigate and plan activities independently within each city
  • No departures are listed in the evidence; confirm availability and dates directly with Railtour Suisse before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Bologna

    Switzerland - Bologna

    Travelling to Bologna by direct train (from Zurich) or with a change in Milan, approx. 6-7 hours. The capital of Emilia-Romagna is known as 'la dotta, la rossa, la grassa' - the learned, the red, the fat. Bologna is a historic university city in which, even today, around a quarter of the population are students. Accommodation in Bologna for 3 nights.

  2. Day 2overnight: Bologna

    Bologna

    On Piazza Maggiore you can truly feel the heartbeat of the city. Also visit the lively Quadrilatero district with its markets and local specialties, the university and the Asinelli Tower - 498 steps lead up to Italy's oldest medieval tower, offering magnificent views. Shopping enthusiasts will love the 40 km of arcades in the city centre.

  3. Day 3overnight: Bologna

    Excursion to Parma

    Just one hour on the Frecciarossa takes you to Parma, another stronghold of Italian cuisine. Admire the cathedral, the baptistery and the Teatro Regio. Art lovers can visit the Galleria Nazionale, once part of the Farnese family's treasured collection.

  4. Day 4overnight: Verona

    Bologna - Verona

    Before leaving Bologna, it's worth visiting the Santuario Madonna di San Luca, reachable via a 4-km portico with 666 arches, or experiencing FICO Eataly World (shuttle bus from the city centre). Afterwards, take the Frecciarossa to Verona (approx. 50 minutes). Accommodation in Verona for 4 nights.

  5. Day 5overnight: Verona

    Verona

    Welcome to Veneto, the city of Romeo and Juliet! Visit Juliet's House, stroll through romantic alleys, across bridges and charming squares such as Piazza delle Erbe. Admire the impressive Arena, Castelvecchio and the city's rich architectural heritage.

  6. Day 6overnight: Verona

    Excursion to Padua

    With the Frecciarossa, you can reach Padua in just 45 minutes. The Basilica of Saint Anthony is truly unique, plus Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel (reserve early) and the Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy.

  7. Day 7overnight: Verona

    Excursion to Vicenza

    In just about 30 minutes, the Frecciarossa takes you to Vicenza, another jewel of the Veneto region. The city of architect Andrea Palladio impresses with the Teatro Olimpico, Palazzo Chiericati and the Basilica on Piazza dei Signori.

  8. Day 8rail

    Verona - Switzerland

    After a final morning in Verona, return to Switzerland by direct train or with a change in Milan.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Direct train from Zurich to Bologna on the Frecciarossa, Italy's high-speed train, in approximately 6 to 7 hours
  • Day 3Day excursion to Parma: one hour on the Frecciarossa to visit the cathedral, baptistery, Teatro Regio, and Galleria Nazionale
  • Day 4Fifty-minute train journey from Bologna to Verona on the Frecciarossa
  • Day 6Forty-five-minute excursion to Padua to see the Basilica of Saint Anthony and Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel
  • Day 7Thirty-minute train ride to Vicenza to explore architect Andrea Palladio's Teatro Olimpico and Palazzo Chiericati

Included

  • Train journey in 2nd class Zurich-Bologna-Verona-Zurich, based on Half-Fare travelcard
  • Outward and return journeys in 2nd class: Bologna-Parma, Verona-Padua, Verona-Vicenza
  • Accommodation in a standard double room with breakfast: 3 nights in Bologna, Hotel Astoria***; 4 nights in Verona, Hotel Mastino***

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes 2nd class rail travel on the Frecciarossa from Zurich to Bologna to Verona and back to Zurich, based on a Half-Fare travelcard, plus day excursions between the cities.
Is this tour escorted or self-guided?
It is self-guided. Railtour Suisse provides accommodation and train passes; you explore each city and plan activities on your own.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of 1,518 CHF covers 2nd class train journeys, accommodation with breakfast in standard double rooms at three-star hotels in Bologna (3 nights) and Verona (4 nights).
How much walking is involved?
You will walk through city centres for sightseeing. Day 2 includes climbing 498 steps in the Asinelli Tower. Day 3 features a 4-km portico walk in Bologna.
What is not included?
Meals (except breakfast), entrance fees to museums and monuments, the shuttle bus to FICO Eataly World, and activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
Which train is used?
The Frecciarossa, Italy's high-speed train, in 2nd class, used for all journeys including the main route and day excursions.

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