Many people love to travel, but few enjoy planning it. Organizing a trip often means juggling spreadsheets, calendars, and multiple reservations scattered across different platforms. Railbookers helps eliminate that hassle while still giving travelers the freedom to explore on their own terms.
Railbookers specializes in assisted independent train travel—a concept that combines the convenience of a guided trip with the flexibility of independent exploration. The company, which operates in more than 40 countries across six continents, handles all the logistics (including train tickets, hotel bookings, and select itinerary experiences) and conveniently stores everything in one place. Travelers are then free to enjoy ample unstructured time to explore however they wish.
I recently experienced this seamless approach on a nine-day trip through Italy with Railbookers, visiting Rome, Florence, and the stunning Cinque Terre. The entire journey was effortless, as Railbookers took care of the tedious details that usually accompany longer trips. Traveling by train was one of my favorite parts of the experience. From my comfortable first-class seat, I watched the Tuscan countryside, quaint villages, and the breathtaking Ligurian coastline roll by—making the journey just as memorable as the destinations themselves.
For anyone who loves to explore but dreads the logistics, Railbookers offers the perfect balance between structure and spontaneity.
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The Trains
Traveling between cities with Railbookers was effortless. All my train tickets were conveniently available within my online itinerary—I simply downloaded them and was ready to go. When prompted, I just showed my digital ticket number to the conductor and settled in to enjoy the ride.
My itinerary included a variety of train types and service levels, but I was always booked in first class. On the journey from Rome to Florence, I even traveled in Executive Class, which came with access to a private lounge at the Rome train station and an extra touch of luxury on board. Each seat was individual, offering a window view and generous legroom. An attendant welcomed me with a complimentary drink and presented a menu of snacks and beverages—all included in the fare. I opted for a glass of prosecco and a light snack, saving room for dinner in Florence later that evening.
The next leg of my journey, from Florence to La Spezia, was aboard a regional train without assigned seating. Even so, finding a spot was easy, and the ride offered another round of beautiful Italian views.
On my return trip to Rome, I was once again in first class, where I enjoyed a comfortable seat to myself, complete with a power outlet and ample space for my luggage. My trip also included a daily train pass for exploring the villages of Cinque Terre. This pass allowed unlimited rides between the five picturesque towns over two days, giving me the freedom to hop on and off as I pleased—the perfect way to experience one of Italy’s most scenic coastal regions.
The Hotels
Booking with Railbookers gives travelers access to a curated selection of hotels in each destination—ranging from classic luxury properties to stylish boutique stays—ensuring there’s an option to match every taste and budget. For me, location was key.
In Rome, I chose the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, a luxury property that offered everything from Byredo toiletries to a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city. The hotel’s central location put me just steps away from some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, including the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. In Florence, I stayed at the MGallery Hotel Cerretani Florence, another perfectly situated property right in the heart of the city. I was only a few blocks from both the Duomo and the main train station, which made exploring the city effortless. At both hotels, my booking included a complimentary breakfast buffet—a delicious and energizing start to each day.
My accommodations in Cinque Terre offered a delightful change of pace. Instead of a hotel, I stayed in a cozy studio apartment in the village of Manarola. It was spacious and thoughtfully equipped with a full kitchen and a private terrace overlooking the coastline. Most visitors to Cinque Terre stay in the larger nearby town of La Spezia, but staying directly in one of the villages gave me a completely different experience. After the day-trippers left, the village transformed. Without the crowds, I could truly appreciate the local rhythm—dining at small restaurants where local musicians performed and chatting with shop owners who shared personal recommendations. These moments, quiet and authentic, wouldn’t have been possible had I stayed at a larger hotel outside the villages.
The Activities
The itinerary for my Railbookers trip truly offered the best of both worlds. In each destination, I had one day of scheduled tours that provided access to some of the cities’ most iconic attractions—the kind that typically require guided tours or timed entry slots, such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Railbookers partnered with excellent local tour operators whose guides were both knowledgeable and engaging, offering fascinating insights and insider tips throughout each experience. In Cinque Terre, the local partner went above and beyond when my scheduled sunset cruise coincided with a forecasted storm. A few days before my arrival, they texted to confirm they would move the tour to a better day—I didn’t have to make a single call or follow up. When I arrived, my updated ticket was already waiting for me.
Beyond the planned tours, my schedule was completely open. This balance of structure and freedom gave me the flexibility to explore at my own pace—something I value most when traveling. Whether I was wandering the streets of Rome with my camera, sipping espresso at a sidewalk café, or simply people-watching, I could shape each day exactly how I wanted.
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