Help now please! Good place to stay halfway between the Cinque Terra and Munich!

I was thinking of doing an agriturismo, but without a car, it seems difficult to reach most of them.

How are you traveling? If by train, you will likely have to change trains in Verona. Not a BIG city, but lots of sights to see, like the old Roman arena which is still used for concerts and opera. Second choice would be Trento, a small city with an attractive old town. Take the cable car near the train station up to the top of a cliff overlooking the city for some breathtaking hikes.

I'm training it. thanks so much for the info! I should prolong my time in Italy as much as possible lol

Assisi in umbria is a wonderful place to see , experience and visit.
I loved it for 3 nights.

The local train will get you down to La Spezia where you can catch the train to the east.

Ever been to Florence or Venice? You can get to either or both easily via train.

yes to Florence, and I will go to Venice next time. i want go to go north, towards Munich. grazie!

edub,

In terms of ease of travel and travel times, my suggestion would be Verona as that's the hub for rail trips north through the Brenner Pass. Using Monterosso as the departure point from the Cinque Terre, it's about a 5.5 hour trip to Verona (the same or slightly longer to Florence).

If you travel from Florence to Munich, the travel time is going to be a minimum of about 7.5 hours, which is a LONG travel day. If you travel the same route from Verona, the travel time is as short as 5H:21M, which is more tolerable.

I travelled somewhat the same route from Padova yesterday to Salzburg and the travel time was 7H:40M. It was a LONG day! The route worked with my Itinerary, so I tolerated the more lengthy travel day.

Verona would be a good choice travel wise. Train rides wouldn't be as long.

Bologna would be a good choice food wise, but then it is about 7 hrs to Munich.

You can seek out the regional differences, but you can't eat the whole city. Dining experience will be most colored by the specific restaurants or markets you choose, of which there are many fine options in Verona. Mortadella from Bologna is wonderful, so is prosciutto from Parma, so is San Daniele prosciutto from north of Venice; many purveyors could offer you all three.

You've been to the alps, but have you been to the Italian Dolomites? These look nothing like the alps in France, Switzerland, Austria, etc. Totally unique and amazing. Bolzano or 45 minutes north into the Val Gardena would be good places to stop.

www.val-gardena.com

Paul

Another vote for Verona. Two reasons:

1. It a great city in its own right and generally under-rated.
2. It is on your way to Munich.

DJ

Verona it is! thanks so much for all the info everyone! Viva Italia!

Hi,

Verona is on the train route to Munich, day or night train, another advantage.

I really cannot argue at all with the earlier suggestions of Verona (pleasant atmosphere) , Bologna (awesome food) or Assisi (great ambiance), I have throw Padua into the mix. With the San Antonio cathedral, the university, and the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua is easily a match for those other mid-sized Italian cities for a relaxing 3 or 4 day stay.

Verona comes to mind. It was a pleasant surprise for me. I made a similar trip with a leased car; part of our itinerary was Munich, Salzburg, Hall, Verona, Venice, Modena, Lucca, CT then south.

Verona was such a pleasant surprise, and I would definitely like to go back one day. I arrived at night, when the castlevecchio is all lit up, and it was beautiful. it is nice to walk around there after a nice dinner (I tried horse meat for the first time, and it was delicious!). I love when things like that happen!