Direct high-speed rail in Italy

A new high-speed rail route in Italy, from Turin (Torino) in the north to Reggio Calabria, located on the “toe” in the south, began operation on June 4. Previously, Reggio Calabria was serviced only by non-high-speed trains, and anyone traveling between the two points by rail had to switch trains in Rome.

The southbound train leaves from Turin’s Porta Nuova station at 8 a.m. and arrives at Reggio Calabria’s Centrale station at 6:50 p.m. The northbound leaves at 10:10 a.m., with arrival in Turin at 9 p.m. Among places stopped at on the 10-hour 50-minute journey are Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno. A ticket costs €113.90 (near $135). Book online at www.trenitalia.com/en.html.

For those traveling on to Sicily, just off the coast of Reggio Calabria, ferry schedules have been modified for the benefit of incoming train passengers.