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As we reported earlier this year, the Riviera Express, which connects the city of Rome to the French Mediterranean metropolis of Marseille, is finally launching this summer, with seasonal service set to start on July 4, running through August 30.
Beyond Rome and Marseille, however, the train is calling at a number of dreamy coastal destinations that are often overlooked by tourists.
These destinations are either not serviced by a major international airport and are thus harder to reach, or they’re simply not on everyone’s radar.
Well, not anymore: from only $48, you can travel from the Eternal City to these 4 gorgeous spots in both Italy and France without changes, and trust us, if you love pastel-hue Old Towns and scenic beaches, you don’t want to miss these:
Savona, Italy
Our first suggested stop on the journey is Savona, a mid-size seaside city in Liguria famous for its modern port area, rich maritime tradition, and picturesque historic center, dotted with Old World wonders, including a house where Christopher Columbus is said to have lived.
Other than the landmark dwelling, a few of the must-sees in Savona include the Cathedral, with its stunning Baroque exterior and equally majestic interior, the Priamar Fortress, built by the Genoese in the 16th century, and the sandy Fornaci Beach, which offers beach clubs and clear waters.
If you’re craving a bite to eat, you should know you haven’t really been to Savona until you’ve tried trofie al pesto, a Ligurian classic, and there’s nowhere better to sample the well-loved pasta dish than Osteria da Oreste—friendly staff, reasonable prices, and great location.
Sanremo, Italy
Sanremo is one of those summer gems. We can’t fathom why it hasn’t yet exploded in popularity with U.S. travelers despite being considerably trendy among Italians themselves, but we guess there are not enough Americans tuning in to the Sanremo Music Festival every year, after all.
Well, in addition to hosting Italy’s most popular televised musical event, ‘Italian Cannes’ is characterized by its elegant avenues, lined with boutique shops and cozy cafés, a palm-lined seafront promenade, and lush Mediterranean gardens.
For the best panoramic view of Sanremo, head up to Giardini Regina Elena, an elevated expanse of green overlooking the coast, and if it’s some beach time you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Tre Ponti: sandy shores, warm shallow seas, and all the required amenities.
Menton, France
Over in France, we’d urge you to hop off the train and explore the most colorful town to be found anywhere on the Mediterranean Coast: Menton, the very first municipality you’ll come upon when crossing the Italian border, and a vision straight out of a storybook cover.
Between the impossibly-skinny houses, coming in every imaginable pastel tone, and arranged in rows along an idyllic pebbly beach, and all the delicious pasta and gelato you can gorge on, you’ll notice your heart fluttering in no time.
Speaking of ice cream, something you should probably know about Menton is that it is known all over France for its lemon sorbet, and if we were to pick only one gelato shop to savor the citrusy treat, it would have to be Au Pays du Citron, right in the heart of the Old Town.
Toulon
Right before the Riviera Express reaches its terminus in Marseille, Toulon is a historic port city straddling an azure Mediterranean best known for its well-preserved Old Town, peppered with food markets and traditional Provençale bistros, busy port, and various sandy beaches.
The difference between Toulon and other hugely popular French Riviera spots like Saint-Tropez and Cannes is that it’s not usually overwhelmed by day-trippers or Instagrammers. No one’s coming here to see or be seen—they’re simply looking for some old-fashioned coastal relaxation.
On that note, Mourillon Beaches are probably some of the Riviera’s most beautiful. They are a series of golden-sand stretches bathed by crystal-clear waters. If we may add, the nearby Le Cabanon is a great seafood restaurant with reasonable prices (between $22 and $32).
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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