mark-tegethoff-l-gmdf7md0o-unsplash

Traveling in Italy: from Florence to Rome by train

undefined undefined 15 juillet 2025 undefined 11h15

undefined undefined undefined 10h34

The Editor

© Mark Tegethoff / Unsplash

Are you also craving that sweet dolce vita? All it takes is a train ticket and a little spontaneity to treat yourself to a beautiful adventure between Florence and Rome, two charming cities that are just a quick trip apart, where you can wander through galleries, trattorias, and secret gardens. Here’s your travel diary for a journey that, fair warning, will make you want to lose yourself on those sun-soaked cobblestones.

All it takes is a train ticket, a little click, and a seat by the window. That’s all you need to zip between two of the most beautiful cities in the world: Florence and Rome, the lovely and majestic, just an hour apart, around forty euros, with the Tuscan hills rolling by and an excitement that’s hard to contain. There’s something universal about Italy’s allure: is it the promise of light, slowness, and unfiltered beauty? The plates filled with delicious food, strong coffee, and well-made sweets? Too much time had passed since my last visit to the land of the Boot, so I had to fix that. A one-way ticket to la dolce vita under the cypress trees, a waking dream with no other purpose than to wander, roam, and linger.

Roaming in Majestic Florence

I arrive in Florence at the end of the day and rediscover that rare energy and golden light that makes everything sparkle.

rno and hangs in the windows of the silent alleyways where laundry dries in the sun. I drop my suitcase at the Hoxton Florence, a new contemporary gem full of charm set in a former 19th-century palace, where the atmosphere is soft, vibrant, and where aperitivos are enjoyed under the arches. I linger there, among strangers sipping Spritz, a few conversations near the fountain, and a hint of italo disco, Florence has embraced me.

In Florence, wandering is an art of living. My first real day begins with a must-visit to Wild Buns Bakery, a Swedish-Florentine spot run by my new friend Robert, tucked away south of the Arno (with a second location opening in the fall of 2025 to the north), and adorned with the title of the best bakery in the city. I quickly understand why: the welcome is warm, the coffee divine, and especially, the cinnamon roll I devoured on a sidewalk still haunts my dreams. The windI’m strolling along the river, letting myself be drawn in by the shade of the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most prestigious and frequently visited museums in the world, with an absolutely gigantic collection. You really need to take your time here, because amidst Botticelli's Venus, Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation, and a parade of masterpieces by Caravaggio, the sheer beauty almost leaves me dizzy.

Dinner will be at Boccadama, right in front of the majestic Santa Croce, recommended by locals in the know. Here, I can confidently say I’ve enjoyed the best pasta aglio e olio of my stay—no, actually, of the last decade! On the table, my pasta dish, a candle, and this feeling that time is stretching out—those pici, a type of thick spaghetti…Tuscany-style paghetti are homemade and absolutely unforgettable. If you have someone to impress, note down the insider’s address! Florence has definitely stolen my heart.

And then Rome, the eternal

The next day, I pack my things into my suitcase and head to the train station. The trains are frequent, modern, quiet, and efficient. In just 1 hour and 20 minutes, I’m on my way to Rome, with the Tuscan landscape of fields, cypress trees, and perched villages zooming by in cinematic splendor. I close my eyes, and when I open them again: Rome!

See this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pelikaan Reisbureau Prinsenbeek (@pelikaanreisbureau_prinsenbeek)

Just out of Termini, I head over to the Hoxton Rome, a warm and welcoming spot, my second home in the super chill neighborhood of Parioli. Like in most places with the same name, the lobby is alive and buzzing; you can work from the cozy sofas, share a strong coffee or a drink, meet new people, and you could easily spend the whole day there.What a day! I even find myself feeling a bit nostalgic about my first steps here, reminiscing about my last visit, the friends, the aperitivos, and the cake candles blown out right here, near the glass doors of the entrance.

I drop my bag, slip on my sandals, and head over to Faro, the coffeeshop everyone has been raving about. I grab a vegan maritozzo, this lovely brioche bun filled with a scandalous amount of whipped pistachio cream (yes!), and I devour it on a small boat in Villa Borghese, because we only have one life to enjoy!

happy. I take the opportunity to stroll through the park to the Villa Medici, an artist residence and a balcony overlooking Rome, for a guided tour of the stunning apartments. In the evening, I head down to Monti for an aperitif at Ai Tre Scalini, a raw and vibrant wine bar surrounded by locals, where I was a regular... twelve years ago? The evening continues under the glow of streetlights, gathered around a wooden table at La Balestra, a tucked-away trattoria just a stone's throw from the hotel, where I have unforgettable memories of their mushroom pasta. Verdict: still just as amazing.

The restaurant Cugino, in Hoxton, serves me the breakfast of my dreams. Judge me if you must, but nothing makes me happier in the morning than a big oat matcha, a bowl of fruit, and an avocado toast served with a smile. I take a sip, reply to a couple of emails, and then I forget it all - the urge to snuggle into this monumental city quickly catches up with me.

What's on my agenda for the day? Off to Six Senses, my new destination. And not just any destination: right in the historic center, just steps away from the most beautiful monuments in the world, there’s an exceptional 5-star hotel where everything slows down. The noise, my to-do list, within minutes, the city fades away, and I slip into a suspended bubble. The hotel, housed in a former palace just a stone's throw from the Trevi Fountain, is a true gem where everything is thoughtfully designed, from the grain of the marble to the choice of essential oils diffused in the air. But what truly captivates me here is the feeling that I am exactly where I need to be. During what I...It seems like hours, I'm lounging in the Roman baths in the basement, a mineral and cozy sanctuary that embraces the ancient ritual of the thermal baths in the precise order of tradition. Tepidarium first, warm and soothing to relax both body and mind, then caldarium, a hot bath that opens the pores and releases tensions. I stay there for a long time, listening to my breath and the aquatic resonances. I carefully follow the recommended ritual, moving from sensory showers to the hammam, then the warm and very hot saunas. Finally, I take great pleasure in slipping into the frigidarium, a cold and invigorating bath that closes the cycle and brings me back to my love for icy baths. In this silence that invites whispering, I feel reborn.

If I had been warned about the beauty of the rooftop at Six Senses, I could hardly have prepared myself for such a breathtaking experience. At aperitivo time, I head to Notos for an unbeatable view of the city during the golden hour. The rooftops turn red, the sky ignites, the cypress trees pierce the horizon, I’m served a delicious non-alcoholic cocktail and some montanare—goodness, why didn’t anyone tell me about these earlier? As I write these lines, I close my eyes and can taste those irresistibly indulgent fried pizzette on my palate once more. The moment is perfect. I could sing the praises of Six Senses for a long time, with its highly cinematic marble staircase, its attention to even the tiniest details, and its absolutely flawless breakfast. Just remember one thing: you’re not quite the same after you’ve tasted the delights of this timeless space.

See this post on Instagram

A post shared by Six Senses Rome (@sixsensesrome)

A deliciously chocolatey gelato at the must-visit Venchi, and voilà, I’m at the Art’otel, where everything is designed to delight the eye. Between contemporary artworks by Pietro Ruffo, vibrant colors that brighten the marble, and art even in the rooms and hallways, it's like being halfway between a living gallery and a place to relax.

I don’t have time to waste; the call of the outdoors is strong: I hop on one of the bikes available and set off to conquer Rome. A quick mandatory stop at Fermaggio, just a stone’s throw away, for one of their famous mouthwatering focaccias. With the wind in my hair and the sun shining bright, I ride down toward the historic center to meet the Colosseum, which I circle around while laughing, then I pass the Forum and the Pantheon, majestic under the summer sky. I stroll through the cobbled streets, weaving around scooters and pedestrians, amazed by the true open-air museum that is the eternal city, before pedaling along the Tiber to reach Trastevere, the bohemian neighborhood I adore, where the air is lighter and the walls tell stories of love and cooking. Then comes the climb, up to the Janiculum, that promontory overlooking the city, where, from way up high, the time-worn roofs and golden domes of the citadel offer themselves to me. My legs ache a little, but I wear a smile on my face.between being surprised and feeling welcomed as if I were already home. This might be the most beautiful journey: to feel good everywhere, without ever having to choose.