Interrail South France and Italy — A Complete Itinerary

Before we start, this is not an itinerary as such, this is my route and recommendations. What is the point in me telling you every step I took? You've got to explore the world yourself, and follow some recommendations along the journey. I also only recommend the places I have actually been to, the things I actually did, and the food I actually ate.

Stop 1 - Lyon, France

Photo: Street in Lyon

Flying from Dublin direct to Lyon is your best option. A quick flight and a short train journey and you are in the centre of the city.

We stayed in La Croix-Rousse. A neighbourhood built on one of the higher points of the city with good views.  A short walk gets you into the main centre.

Lyon was my favourite out of the 2 stops we made in France. A city bustling with good vibes, food, coffee and wine.

Recommendations

Breakfast

• Best Bagels

• Boulangerie Eric Kayser

Lunch

• Café Mercieré - Plates and Tapas

• Baraabar (Bar with a View) - A bar serving delicious beer and tasty charcuterie boards. It lives up to it's name with a breathtaking view of the city from the seats out front.

Photo: Café Merceiré

Dinner

• Brasserie Comptoir Simone

• Maria - A top class pizzeria. There are queues so you must arrive a few minutes early to ensure you don't get 'hangry' waiting.

Coffee

• Mokxa - Specialty Coffee

Nightlife

• Paddy's Corner - I am not a fan of Irish bars when I go abroad, because why would I want to leave my country to sit in a bar that looks exactly like those in my home country. However, this is not a typical Irish bar. The namesake is the only Irish thing. Board games, cards, good vibes and drinks and indoor and outdoor seating. A great spot to relax after a day of exploring.

Must Do:

• Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviére - A short but steep hike up to the highest point of the city. This Basilica is incredible. The interiors and the views of the whole city from the outside are something you must see.

• Mur De Canuts - If you wander around Lyon, you will surely find yourself looking at some murals painted on the side of buildings. Mur de Canuts is one of these that is worth a visit.

Photo: Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviére

Stop 2 - Nice, France

Photo: Nice Port

Nice is a short train journey from Lyon that passes Monaco if you wish to stop there for a few hours. 
I liked Nice, a lot. A port town with great beaches. When you arrive I would recommend taking a walk down and around the port to see some yachts. However, do not eat or drink beside the port. It is very expensive.

Recommendations

Breakfast

• Marinette

Photo: Marinette

Lunch

• Di Piu

Must Do:

• Sunset Wine Tour in a Historic Land Rover - See below

I have no dinner recommendations. This is because the first night our dinner was fine but nothing to write home about. The second night we booked a sunset wine tour in a vintage jeep. A group tour with roughly 8 people in total. You meet the tour guide near the port and they give a guided driving tour of Nice and surrounding towns with picture stops along the way. The tour ends at a hidden gem location on top of a mountain overlooking the city and sunset with a table full of homemade tapas and wine. This was my favourite activity of the whole trip. 

Photo: Viewpoint on Sunset Tour

Stop 3 — Genoa, Italy

Photo: Genoa City

Genoa, another port town with winding, narrow streets and an incredible food scene. There is not much to do here, so the first chance you get drop your bags and take a 20 minute bus journey from the city to Boccadasse for some sun and waves. Eat some street food beside the beach and grab an Aperol spritz from the bar. Return to Genova in the evening and wander around the narrow streets and find yourself an Italian restaurant to eat in.

Recommendations

Breakfast

• Tazze Pazze

Lunch

• Borgo Genovese -  (Boccadasse)

• Il Tondín - Cucina di Qui (Genoa)

Dinner

• Caffe Degli Specche - The best Tiramisú I have ever had. Hands Down!

• Il Tondín (above)

Coffee

• You are in Italy - Everywhere does good coffee. I personally love any cafe/bar that serves Illy. 

Photo: Boccadasse

Stop 4 — Manarola, Italy

Photo: Manarola

This is the town from your laptop home screen. The one built into the side of a cliff overlooking the sea with beautiful pastel coloured houses. Yes, this is it. The most beautiful town, with beautiful food. Do nothing! Relax. You deserve it.

Recommendations

Breakfast

• Pizzeria La Cambusa di Zampoli Matia Alfio - Focaccia

Lunch 

• Trattoria La Scogliera

Dinner

• Trattoria La Scogliera - Great Pizza

• Nessum Dorma - Make a reservation for this showstopping restaurant.

Photo: Nessum Dorma, Manarola

Must Do:

• Pesto Making Class - This is my only regret not doing this. High energy and super fun pesto class overlooking the ocean.

Stop 5 — Pisa, Italy

Photo: Leaning Tower of Pisa

Pisa was very underwhelming. Nothing significant to do other than to see the Leaning Tower. We originally booked for two nights but checked out a day early to go to Florence. It felt a little unsafe and was crowded with tourists. The tower was mind-blowing to be fair.

Recommendations

Lunch

• Quarto d'Oro Italiano - Very good Neapolitan Pizza on the main street beside the tower

Dinner

• il Porci Comodi - The best charcuterie board I hav had

• Misu Gourmet Tiramisú - For dessert

Photo: il Porci Comodi

Must Do:

• The Leaning Tower of Pisa

• Orto e Museo Botanico (Botanical Gardens)

Stop 6 — Florence, Italy

Photo: Duomo, Florence

Florence, oh Florence. You win. What an amazing city. The artwork, food, Tuscan culture and history. If there is one thing you do, it is do these recommendations. These are elite.

Recommendations

Lunch

• Mercato Central - The market in Florence has a variety of amazing food options. Grab a schiacciata made fresh and a glass of vino. 

Dinner

• Osteria Pastella - Make sure to book this in advance. A restaurant experience I will never forget. The queue to get in was absurd but if you book you skip the queue. Everyone gets served at once and for the quality of food and experience you really get a bang for your buck as it is typical Italian prices. 

Must Try:

• TwoSizes or Mr. 100 Tiramisú - If you can't tell. I love tiramisú.
• La David Gelateria - Avoid the queues at Vivoli and get an affogata here instead.
• Wine Windows - All around the city you can find 'wine windows'. They are active and still used to serve wine/drinks through. Ring the bell, wait, order, and receive your wine and drink it on the street. Don't forget to return your glass.

Photo: La David Gelateria

Must Do

• Move On - A bar downstairs and record store upstairs with seats that look out of the window on to the Duomo. Grab a glass of wine or beer and enjoy the views of the Duomo and bustling Piazza. This is a hidden gem. I do not understand how it was not busier.

• Visit the Duomo

• Santa Maria Novella Farmacia - The oldest pharmacy in the world and is still in operation.

Photo: Move On

Stop 7 — Rome, Italy

Photo: Trevi Fountain, Rome

The final destination of our trip. A city full of history, food, and good vibes. Again, I have great recommendations for Rome. It is a city that I will forever keep visiting, as is Florence.

Recommendations

Lunch

• Bono Roma - Focaccia Sandwich

Dinner

• Ivo a Trastevere - The best pizza of our trip. Worth the wait as it is busy but very quick.

• Cantina dei Papi - Charcuterie Boards in Trastavere 

Photo: Ivo a Trastevere

Coffee

• Caffe Teichner - This is one of the only recommendations that I have not actually tried but have heard so much about it

Must Do:

• Colosseum - Book weeks in advance.
• Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major
• Vatican City
• Villa Borghese - A 15 minute boat ride around a pond with tortoise

Nightlife:

• Trastevere - Piazza Trilussa: Regular busking shows at night in the square. Gymnasts, fire shows and live music dependent on the night. You can grab a drink from a local bar and sit out on the steps.
• Along the Tiber - If visiting during June - late August you can go to the riverside festival near in Trastevere. Endless market stalls, pop-up restaurants, bars and activities to take part in. It is great to attend in the evening.
  

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Ciao regazzi!