Fancy living La Dolce Vita this summer?
If you dream of exploring Italy then a new sleeper train will make it easier than ever to visit 2 Italian cities in one short vacation.
In fact, if you’re really short on time, you can visit them both in one weekend and spend 24 hours in each hot spot.
The new Espresso Salento train will connect the Italian capital of Rome with the coastal city of Lecce, in the southern Puglia region.
Here’s everything you need to know to take an overnight ride between these iconic destinations.
An Easy, Comfortable Journey
I love sleeper trains. The novelty of going to sleep in one city and waking up in another will never wear off for me.
So I was excited to read that a new tourist train was being launched between Rome and Lecce in Puglia on July 18.
The Espresso Salento night train will start from Rome with stops in Caserta, Foggia, Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopili, Fasano, Ostuni, Carovigno, and Brindisi before ultimately ending the journey in Lecce.
What makes this night train stand out from the crowd is its focus on comfort.
Each passenger will have their own space in an exclusive sleeper carriage, and then when they wake up feeling fully rested, they can enjoy breakfast served in the restaurant car.
You can choose between a single or double sleeping car for exclusive use (meaning you won’t have to share your space with anyone else) or a sleeping berth in a bunk couchette.
These have room for between 4 to 6 people, so if you’re traveling with your family or as part of a group you can reserve this whole area exclusively too.
If you’re traveling solo then you can take a bunk in a shared car. There are also women-only cars for women traveling alone who don’t want to sleep in a mixed environment.
An Affordable Option For Exploring Italy
To celebrate the launch, Treni Turistici Italiani is offering a limited-time 50% discount on tickets.
This means a 1 way ticket from Rome to Lecce on August 13 will cost from 44.50 euros ($48.50) per person.
This is an incredibly affordable travel experience. Not only will it get you from A to B in comfort and style, it also means that you don’t need to pay for a night’s accommodation on your trip!
In fact, booking the sleeper train is significantly cheaper than booking a 3-star hotel in Rome for the night.
It’s also worth noting that there are no limits on the amount of luggage you can carry when you travel by train.
So if you have bulky or oversized luggage, you won’t have to pay extra to carry it like you would on a plane.
So is it possible to spend the weekend in Rome and Lecce, with 24 hours in each city and a comfortable night’s sleep on the train in between? Absolutely!
I’m not going to promise you that you’ll see everything Rome has to offer in such a short visit but it’s enough time to see the main attractions and get a feel of life in the city.
The key is to start early and visit the city’s main attractions before breakfast, while many other tourists will still be in bed!
The Roman Forum opens at 8:30 a.m. every day, and you should aim to arrive just before 8:30 a.m. to be the first in and to explore the site without too many crowds.
From here, you can visit the iconic Colosseum because most visitors (myself included) haven’t visited Rome until you’ve seen this imposing structure, at least from the outside.
If you want to see both attractions then buy the standard Colosseum ticket which will give you access to the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatine Hill.
This costs 46 euros ($50) with skip the line entry included.
You can then spend the rest of the day exploring the Vatican City or tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain. Don’t forget to make time for pizza, gelato, and a little people-watching before making your way to the station to catch your train to Lecce.
If you only have 24 hours in Lecce then there’s only one thing to do: head straight for the beach!
Torre Lapillo Beach is one of the best-known in Lecce and is fully equipped with sun loungers and bars. If you’d prefer a free beach, without these kinds of facilities (and their price tag) then head to Punta Prosciutta.
But don’t spend the whole day lounging around and enjoying the views of picture-perfect turquoise seas.
Because Lecce has so much more to offer.
When you think of friendly Italians and wandering around sleepy towns in Southern Italy, you’re probably thinking of Lecce.
Much of the town is made from golden-colored sandstone, which lends a light and airy feel. Lecce is known for its baroque buildings and impressive cathedral.
The city also boasts a sunken Roman amphitheater, which is worth exploring if you have the time.
Lecce is a fairly small place with a sleepy feel. But the people are friendly and welcoming. And the food is excellent and affordable. Be sure to save some time to enjoy doing nothing and just soaking up the atmosphere!
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