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Advice about Italy Itinerary

We would like to visit Genoa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Milan, and Venice. Order is not that important, would like the best price to fly into starting point. Would be gone end of June to first of July 14-16 days. We have been to Venice, but still would like to go again.
I am overwhelmed with where to stay in Cinque terre. We would like to hike, boat/snorkel trip, etc. Would be traveling with 4-adults. Looking for clean place with some view and in one of the 5 towns. Anyone who has stayed here and recommendations on boat trips, hiking, restaurants, and lodging-would be appreciated.
Train company that is easy to book from here in the states. We have taken the high speed from Rome to Venice, but that is about the extent of our trains in Italy.
If you have places you have loved or advice on any of the above listed places-thank you so much.

Posted by
8091 posts

You'd do best flying into Milan and taking a train to Genoa and then into C/T. Then visit Florence and fly out of Venice.
Just make sure where you're staying has good air conditioning, and it's going to be hot.

Posted by
827 posts

Our last stay in CT was at Hotel Pasquale in Monterosso. Great location and views as well as easy access to the ferries. Price was right as well. Dining is best in the old town. Avoid the trains in CT if possible. Take the water ferry. Less crowded, wonderful views. Check in advance on hiking as I think only two portions of the trails are open.

Trenitalia has a very nice web site for booking train tickets. You may want to consider this as an option for travel: Fly to Milan, then Venice. Next back across to Genoa, then CT, Florence. Back to Milan. This would mean not flying in/out of different cities as this can sometimes be more costly. You also would save yourself about 5 hours in total travel time (which is the better part of a whole day) if you skip Venice, as it is the outlier, geographically.

Posted by
15678 posts

Check in advance on hiking as I think only two portions of the trails
are open.

Regarding hiking the CT; there are MANY trails in the park's system so unless the weather isn't great (trails are generally not safe when wet and will close) you'll have many to choose from. Regarding trail status, closures and whatnot, see what I posted for Amy in her thread about the region:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/private-boat-in-cinque-terre

As far as accommodations for 4, I'd honestly see who still has open rooms that suit your budget; explore your options on booking.com. Our choice is La Spiaggia in Monterosso for location (easy walk from train station) and sea-view balcony rooms, if you can land one. It's very popular, though, so may be booked up for your dates. Monterosso is also a good choice. IMHO, as it's the largest, handles heavy crowds better than the others, and has the most visitor amenities.

https://la-spiaggia-it.book.direct/en-us

Restaurant: Cantina Di Miky, just a couple doors down from La Spiaggia.