Some journeys are born out of instinct.
A train ticket, a light suitcase, and the desire to be surprised.
That’s how this unusual itinerary came to life: in just one long weekend, it took me from Rimini to Florence, and finally to Modena. Three very different cities, three distinct souls, yet tied together by an invisible thread: authentic beauty, the kind you don’t always find on postcards.
Practical tip: all three cities are well connected by train. Rimini to Florence takes about 2 hours by train, and Florence to Modena just over 1 hour. This makes it an easy and sustainable trip without the need for a car.
Rimini: between Fellini and the endless sea
As soon as I arrived in Rimini, I let the city guide me. Piazza Cavour, with its Fontana della Pigna, is an open-air living room where locals meet and greet each other like old friends.
A few steps away, under the arches of the Old Fish Market, the air is still full of chatter and stories, now animated by young people crowding the cafés and bars.
Then the view opens up onto the seafront: six kilometers of blue horizon and freedom, with bike paths, green spaces, and the Parco del Mare, a place that invites you to slow down.
And how could I not fall in love with Borgo San Giuliano? Its pastel-colored houses look like they belong in a fairytale, while the murals make you smile and remind you that Fellini was born here. Finally, there’s the refined quiet of Palazzo Gambalunga, guardian of precious memories.
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Florence: a hidden Renaissance
Leaving Rimini was hard, but Florence welcomed me with its timeless elegance. This time, though, I chose to see it with different eyes.
In Piazza Santissima Annunziata stands the Spedale degli Innocenti, a building that has told stories of care and hope since the 15th century. Inside, you’ll find a moving museum and schools that still look after children’s future today.
Just a short walk away, in Via Santa Margherita, I stepped into Dante’s House Museum. Wandering through its rooms, it almost felt like I could hear the breath of the Middle Ages, the voices of merchants, and the passions and struggles that shaped the Poet’s life.
I ended my visit at the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology, a fascinating place where each object tells of distant journeys and diverse cultures, preserving the very essence of human curiosity.
Practical tip: Florence is a perfect city to explore on foot. Most of its highlights and even hidden gems are within walking distance, so comfortable shoes are essential.
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Modena: between engines, vinegar, and great voices
The last stop of the trip: Modena. Here, time seems to move to a special rhythm, made of music, scents, and passion.
Just outside the city, I visited the Luciano Pavarotti House Museum. It’s his real home, with the piano ready, the photographs, and the stage costumes. Walking through its rooms, it almost feels as though “Big Luciano” might return at any moment to sing again.
Back in town, I stumbled upon a curious detail: Enzo Ferrari’s favorite barber shop. Not far away, the museum dedicated to him preserves his legacy and the legend of the engines that made the world dream.
Wandering through the frescoed halls of the Town Hall, I was struck by the story of the Stolen Bucket, a trophy symbolizing the ancient rivalry between Bologna and Modena. And up in the attic, a fragrant surprise: a historic balsamic vinegar cellar, where Traditional Balsamic Vinegar rests in silence.
I ended the journey with a nostalgic dive into the Museum of Figurines, a poetic place born from Giuseppe Panini’s passion, where tiny pieces of paper have been transformed into collective memory.
Practical tip: Modena is less than 30 minutes by train from Bologna, which is one of Italy’s main railway hubs. If you’re flying in, Bologna Airport is the most convenient gateway.
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Slow travel, better living
Three cities in three days: yes, it’s possible—if you choose to travel by train and lose yourself on foot among streets, squares, and neighborhoods. It’s an itinerary for curious travelers, those who love to uncover the hidden soul of places.
A weekend that taught me that beauty is not only in the most famous monuments, but also in the details, the stories, and the people each city holds.
Are you ready to go?
Cover image: Modena, photo via Canva PRO
