I love traveling by train. In Italy, it is easy, inexpensive, and a great way to see the country. Italy by train can be daunting. I understand completely: Foreign country. Foreign language. Not an American practice.

During my first trip to Italy in 2010, I was in that position. It was my first real trip there, and while I spoke Spanish, I didn’t speak English. For most of the trip, my husband and I had a car, but driving and parking in most cities was a nightmare. We finally turned the car in in Padova and took the train to Venezia. When we were leaving, we had to take a train to our airport hotel. At that time, one bought tickets at the station tabacchi and hoped they got on the right train.