As a study abroad student at John Cabot University in Rome, it’s tempting to focus on traveling to destinations outside of Italy. However, there are some amazing places only a train ride away from Rome that are great for day or weekend trips. Here are the three Italian cities I recommend adding to your list while studying abroad:

1. Florence

Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes by high-speed train

Florence is the perfect place to do a day trip or a short weekend adventure. The city is filled with art, history, and charm. There are so many things for you to see as you wander around the city. You can begin your visit at the Medici Chapels, known for their beautiful interiors. It is also a short walk from the train station you arrive at. You should also check out the Piazza Santa Maria Novella as well as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (one of the most popular sites). If you are an art enthusiast, Uffizi Gallery, where you’ll find iconic Renaissance masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. You can also visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s famous statue of David.

I also recommend walking across the Ponte Vecchio and wandering along the Arno River. Finally, you must end your day at Piazzale Michelangelo, one of the best places to see all of Florence and a great place to watch the sunset.

2. Naples

Travel Time: 1 hour 10 minutes by high-speed train

Naples is an amazing place to take a trip if you are looking for a lively city with amazing food. It is known as the birthplace of pizza, so of course you need to try the Pizza! I went to L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, an iconic spot featured in the movie Eat Pray Love. However, Naples has a ton of incredible pizzerias. Make sure to do a little research beforehand to avoid the tourist traps.

Another thing to do is to wander through Naples’ lively streets and take it all in. Naples is also super close to Pompeii, which is a must see to explore the preserved ruins of the ancient city. Additionally, Naples is close to the stunning Amalfi Coast. To Sorrento, the nearest Amalfi town, it is only an hour away by the Circumvesuviana train, and you can enjoy the amazing views of the ocean and escape the super busy streets of Naples.

3. Lake Como

Travel Time: 3 hours by high-speed train to Milan, plus a 1-hour regional train to Lake Como

The farthest of my three suggestions is Lake Como. It is known for its stunning lake surrounded by the Alps, with beautiful villages, and amazing villas. While it may be a longer ride, trust me it is worth seeing! A few things you must check out is the Villa Balbianello, which has a beautiful garden and is famous for being the location of one of the scenes in Star Wars.

Also, I recommend taking the ferry to the towns surrounding Lake Como. You must visit Bellagio, which is known to be the “Pearl of Lake Como.” This town is made up of narrow streets and colorful buildings with many shops and restaurants. Also, make sure to bring a swimsuit because it has great spots to swim in the crystal clear waters of the lake. Also, if you have time, make sure to check out Varenna, and Menaggio, two other towns that are also situated on the lake.

I hope you get to check out all of these cities during your time abroad!

Written by: Sean, Fall 2024 Rome student from St Norbert College