We plan to spend two nights in Vernazza after four nights in Venice. We would have one full day to explore Cinque Terre given it will take awhile to arrive to Vernazza (we are not early morning people). I see a 10.5 hours day trip tour from Florence to Cinque Terre and maybe consider this option. Please share your experience about the tour. http://www.italy.artviva.com/tours/185/ .
Much thanks for your suggestions.
Hi Olivia,
I didn't use artviva, but did the same tour with WalkAboutFlorence. It was great fun and well organized.
Olivia,
I'm not entirely clear on your plans. If you're planning to spend two nights in Vernazza after four nights in Venice, why would you need to take a day trip to the Cinque Terre from Florence? Are you also planning to stay in Florence? Some clarification would be helpful.
Hi Ken, oops I did not post the plan fully! Our original plan will be from Venice (4 nights) to Vernazza (2 nights) next to Florence (3 nights) and final stop in Rome (5 nights). I planned this itinerary in order to take a direct train from Florence to Rome rather than multiple changes from Vernazza to Rome. I saw the day tour from Florence to CT and contemplating this option or spend two nights in Vernazza. I just saw some earlier posts about the experience to spend evenings in CT then now I'm a bit more confused!
Spending two nights in the Cinque Terre does allow you to enjoy the quieter evening hours there as well as a full day of just relaxing or exploring with no deadline, which I prefer. And you can have a swim in the sea and then return to a hotel instead of getting on a train (especially if your hotel is in Monterosso, with the main beach).
If you're considering to spend those same two nights in Florence, instead, then the day trip to Cinque Terre would take up most of your time, with very little left for Florence. If that's the time frame, then choose one or the other, not both.
Several trains per day from Vernazza to Rome require only one connection at La Spezia, departing roughly around 9:15 and later.
Hi Laura, maybe I would shorten one night in Venice and add it to Vernazza. I would not plan to go on any day trip from Venice. Maybe this will give us more time in CT.
Olivia,
A more efficient and easier order-of-cities would be Venice > Florence > Cinque Terre > Rome. Travelling from Venice to Vernazza and then back to Florence will use more travel time and is unnecessary.
Getting from Vernazza to Rome is actually very easy, and doesn't necessarily involve "multiple changes". Use one of the local trains from Vernazza to La Spezia Centrale (takes about 15 minutes), and then connect with one of the direct trains from there to Roma Termini (travel time as short as ~3H:18M). There are several direct departures each day, and numerous others with changes. You can check all the solutions on the Trenitalia website (using one of the Freccia trains will be quickest).
When you arrive in the Cinque Terre, you may wish you had booked more time. If you can add a night in Vernazza, you might find that you enjoy the extra time.
Thanks everyone for your help!
