Eco-friendly Italian hotels are offering free train transport until September 2007.

Hotel owners will reimburse guests round trip fare (second class but including fast Eurostar trains) from anywhere in Italy thanks to an agreement between environmental group Legambiente and Trenitalia.

Some 30 establishments throughout the Bel Paeseaese are adhering so far, ranging from no-frills seaside hotels to chic stays in art jewel Ferrara.

This ticket to ride is part of a larger project of encouraging responsible tourism. Hotels who earn Legambiente’s “ecolabel” agree to reduce waste, energy and water consumption, recycle and promote local food products.

For more info: http://www.legambienteturismo.it/eng/index.html