Many people write to me here with questions and concerns about trains. So many connections, to Stresa from the airport, back, from Stresa to other destinations, etc. Milano is the hub; so travelers often find themselves here waiting for a train connection. First, as I tell everyone, train travel here is easy, efficient, reliable, safe, and actually very nice.  So don't have any fears about it.

Here's a handy travel tip that may make train travel even nicer for you. While going through Milano Centrale station this past weekend on our way to Firenze, we had about 45 minutes to wait for our train. We noticed above us a snack bar with an all-glass facade overlooking the tracks. As you can see in the photo above, it's a pretty cool spot to have a caffe while you wait. 

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Nothing fancy... just the most basic panini, caffes, soda, water, these things. The place is named "ROADHOUSE." There is a giant plaster cow in one corner. There is a sit-down restaurant on one side servings burgers, sandwiches and other simple fare. It's not charming, or "Italian" in any way at all. But it seems that most people don't know about it, and so it was nicely quiet. And for the price of a bottle of water, one can sit comfortably while waiting, which can't be done downstairs.

Here's a pano shot I took of the view. From up here, above the huddled masses, you can see almost all of the tracks and the digital sign announcing arrivals and departures. We left the cafe a few minutes before our train was due to arrive, feeling relaxed and settling in on the even more comfortable Freccia Rosa for the 90-minute trip to Firenze. 

So don't forget this handy tip. One more way to make your train trip less stressful.

And as I just mentioned, it was then only 90 minutes and we were in Firenze. We took the Eurocity train from Stresa direct to Milano Centrale (40 minutes), and then the Trenitalia Freccia Rosa to Firenze. Total cost of our round-trip tickets were 90 euro each, but keep in mind that ticket prices vary depending on the day and the time. Saturday for us, for example, was 2-for-1 on the Freccia Rosa. In any case, this is just one of many places that can be reached quickly and easily on Italy's trains.