From north to south itinerary advic

[CGH57]

Ciao
We’re a senior couple travelling from Australia in Sept- Oct 2026.
Not our first visit. This trip is all train/ bus.
Our preference this time is smaller cities/ towns.
We have a small gp tour of Puglia booked 27/9-3/10.
Arrive Milan 2 Sept then straight to Bergamo 5, Verona 4, Ferrara 4, Commachio ???we want to visit the Po Delta. Not sure if we stay there?

This is now our dilemma- travelling by train where would you choose to stay between Ferrara/ Commachio and Brindisi our tour pick up town.

Would love to hear from anyone who has visited Commachio and/ or toured down Adriatic Coast by train. We have nearly 10 days for this part.
Thankyou
Chris

 

[Ian Sutton]

Ferrara makes sense as it's on the fast Freccia route down to Bari, Brindisi and Lecce (we once did the overnight sleeper train from Ferrara to Bari). The train station a bus or taxi ride from the city itself (or about 50mins walk from memory). Thus you could avoid an additional location by doing the transfer in one journey, giving more days to each location instead. Check regularly for offers, that can make such a trip remarkably good value, and consider 1st class for comfort (it's not a massive premium).

If looking for another base mid-way, then here's the graphic of the 8am Frecciarossa train, suggesting Pescara, Termoli or Ancona as mid-route breakpoints, and all look out onto the Adriatic. Maybe Termoli might appeal for the Gargano peninsula / coastal lakes? Bologna a super city IMO, with great produce and not beholden to tourists, and a decent time of year to go there. It doesn't exactly move you far down that long leg though, nor is it Adriatic.

We've not yet made it to Commacchio, but it sounds appealing

 

[CGH57]

Thank you Ian.
Most helpful. We may end up re visiting Bologna. I agree, a great city!
I guess my query is about departing from Comacchio rather than return to Ferrara but there seems to only be a long bus trip via Ravenna- magnificent mosaics.
I have been looking very closely at Vasto and Termoli for ‘halfway’ point.
More research

 

[Tina]

Termoli is nice but maybe not for all 10 days

Termoli

A blog about travel, vacations and holidays in Italy and Spain with advice, tips and trip reports

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[CGH57]

Thanks Tina.
It would only be 2-3 days at each place along the train route.
I like the look of Ascoli Piceno but need to work out the route by train then back to coast.
Love to know a bit more about the area

 

[Ian Sutton]

Thank you Ian.
Most helpful. We may end up re visiting Bologna. I agree, a great city!
I guess my query is about departing from Comacchio rather than return to Ferrara but there seems to only be a long bus trip via Ravenna- magnificent mosaics.
More research

I guess that does still allow for both locations as bases, stealing the time from the 10 days earmarked for the trek south.

For purely logistical / energy levels, I try to ensure transfers aren't both long and complicated. I find long is fine if it's a direct journey, as we can settle into our seats, take a picnic and enjoy the journey. However having a bus/train transfer and then the same at the arrival destination can feel tiring unless it's overall a short duration.

e.g. Commacchio to Bologna would feel viable, even though it does involve bus + train (and likely a bus or taxi at Bologna itself).

It's a personal preference / durability thing though - others can handle long / messy transfers better than us!

 

[CGH57]

I agree Ian, re long trips with transfers as well as the mode.
I’m hoping to find someone to drive us that doesn’t cost the ‘Crown Jewels’! LOL