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Advice for Itinerary (Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre)

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Hello,
I have been toying with various itineraries for a 13-night trip in late April-early May.
One latest itinerary I have come up with is the following:
Day 1. Midday arrival in Rome [from Montreal] (sleep in Rome)
Day 2. Exploring Ancient Rome. (Sleep in Rome)
Day 3. Vatican day. (Sleep in Rome)
Day 4. Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Navona, Trastevere lunch, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. (Sleep in Rome).
Day 5. Train to Orvieto, explore for the day, then train to Florence. (Sleep in Florence)
Day 6. Florence exploring (sleep in Florence)
Day 7. Day trip to Siena (sleep in Florence)
Day 8. Day trip guided tour to Val D’Orcia (sleep in Florence)
Day 9. Train to Lucca, explore, train to Pisa, explore. (Sleep in Pisa)
Day 10. Train to La Spezia (sleep in La Spezia)
Day 11. Explore Cinque Terre/La Spezia area via boat tours (sleep in La Spezia)
Day 12. Explore Cinque Terre via train (sleep in La Spezia)
Day 13. Train to Rome (sleep in Rome near airport)
Day 14. Departure from Rome.

My question to the experienced travels is: should I skip the night in Pisa or even the stop in Orvieto to have more time to rest? I tried to keep at least three nights in every “base” city to avoid too much travel. My fiancée and I are young, active, and would like to see as much as we can without getting burnt out by the end of the trip. Is it worth it to stay longer in Florence instead of many day trips? We would like to explore at least a little of Tuscany outside of Florence. We plan on traveling light as well.

Thank you in advance!

Posted by
298 posts

I’d skip overnight in Pisa… just stop, check luggage-see the tower and head to Cinque Terre and stay in Vernazza.

Posted by
8096 posts

Travel onward to Florence on arrival to Rome and move all your Rome nights to end
Eliminates a split stay and that 1 night wasted at airport hotel

I think the overnight in Pisa is fine since you want to visit both Lucca and Pisa that day
We enjoyed our overnight in Pisa -the builfings on Field of Miracles are stunning all lit up at night

For CT-stay in one of the 5 towns-not LaSpezia

Also-Florence needs more time -you only have one full day there since you have day trips planned
TBH I would skip Lucca and Pisa, neither are all that interesting or unique
Both Siena and Orvieto have more to offer

ETA
Ooops sorry missed Orvieto
Travel onward to Orvieto on arrival and spend first night there then to Florence

13 nights
Orvieto 2
Florence 4 with 2 day trips
CT 3
Rome 4

Rome can always use more time so if you can add a night give it to Rome

Posted by
1269 posts

I agree with saving Rome for the end so you don't backtrack. I would go straight to Orvieto, spend 2 nights, as your arrival day you will not get to see much and appreciate it. Then on to Florence. If you want to see both Pisa and Lucca, I would stay in Lucca. It is a much more charming town. As for Cinque Terre, I would stay in one of the towns, not La Spezia. It is more of a port city, not a quaint village. Vernazza, Riomaggiore, and Manarola are my favorites. Monterosso is popular, but much more touristy because of the beach. Corniglia is a bit out of the way and not on the water, but you can still visit by train.

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