We are spending 3 days in Rome and are family of 4 then hoping to got to Cinque Terre for 2 nights on July 31. (we have been told by some to stay away from driving July 31 and Aug. 1 and that beaches will be crazy- even travelling by train that way will be dificult.) if we go to Cinque Terre we are then going to Barga, Lucca for 5 days where we need a car.
Should we skip Cinque Terre and drive/ train through Florence? If we go to Cinque Terre, when and where to rent a car? Train? Thank you for any advice you have.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32402 posts
Kelly, I would also suggest travel by train to the Cinque Terre. There are direct trains from Roma Termini to La Spezia with a travel time of ~3H:45M, and from there it's easy to get to any of the five towns via the local train (you'll likely have to change at La Spezia anyway). It would be a good idea to buy your rail tickets well in advance, perhaps the day you arrive in Rome. You can also buy online, however the Trenitalia website is not known for being entirely "user friendly". As mentioned, it could be difficult finding accommodations at that time of year, especially at this late date. Monterosso is the largest of the towns and therefore has the greatest number of accommodations so you could also try there. Here are two web links for lodgings in Monterosso and Vernazza that may be helpful: www.rebuildmonterosso.com/p/visitors-information.html savevernazza.com/visiting-vernazza/ The Guidebook has listings for good reliable places in the other towns. If you can't find anything in the five C.T. towns, you could also consider staying in Levanto (only about 5 minutes from there to Monterosso by train). At this point, you may have to take what you can get. DO NOT drive in Florence as the city is saturated with Zona Traffico Limitato cameras, which will result in heavy fines for EACH infraction (which you won't know about until you get home). One other point to note is that EACH driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. Regarding the car, my suggestion would be to rent in La Spezia at the conclusion of your visit to the C.T., and then return in Lucca. Take the train from there to Florence (only about an hour). Happy travels!
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
If you go to the CT,use the train. Rent the car once you go on to Lucca or at La Spezia. Securing lodging in CT at this late date might prove to be problematic. Try http://www.elisabettacarro.it/ in Vernazza. Go Eagles!!!
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3 posts
Thank you for your reply. I have emailed your recommended location to see if availability. I think we will train there and rent car from La Spezia. I know it is peak time but we should still be able to get there ok? One person tole us those dates are called the exodus and stay away? Do you know if you have to drop rental same place as pick up - like here the cost is better. We have to fly back out of Rome after the Tuscany stay. We want to go to Florence too but also hear that is bad to drive to.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
If you can handle the Schuylkil Expressway, you can handle anything! We try to avoid any driving in Italy, but opinions vary.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3 posts
Ken, thank you so much for your time and reply. We will train to La Spezia and rent a car after. We want to do Florence so maybe we can train from Lucca so we don't drive. We need to fly our of Rome so if we train back to Rome we have to go to termini and change trains to airport? Or I will look to see if there are trains to FCO. Thank you again for your time and help. This is not easy navigating. We are awaiting a confirmation from hotel in CT so hopefully it works out - they said avail and I faxed my CC today.