We loved our stay in Verazza and have seen all of the Cinque Terre region. We are travelling with friends who are musicians, accomplished violinist, and have to decide in JULY if we should skip the Cinque Terre and drive from Bellagio to Cremona, and find a place to stay in Parma or Bologna. It is their first trip to Europe and we want to make the most of it with them, and they have expressed an interest in Cremona specifically. The rest of our itinerary is fantastic and set, 5 Days in Tuscany, 3 Days in Rome and all following what we have learned on Rick Steve Tours, just uncertain about the Lombardy region. It will be hot in July and it sounds so nice to be on a cliff in Vernazza. Thanks for any advice. (we are renting a car and are taking the train to the CT from La Spezia and have flexibility.
A rental car won't do much for you in the Cinque Terre. Maybe save that area for another trip. Unless you long for a real beach experience, that is!
CT in July will not only be hot ( and fingers crossed you can find a place with A/C), but it will be crammed solid with tourists. A car is definitely not an asset there. I can certainly understand why a violinist would want to visit Cremona.
cinque terre; skip it in July too crowded
It's understandable that you'd like to repeat a past pleasure, but you are setting up a false choice that ignores many future pleasures available. Cremona / Parma / Modena / Bologna is a fantastic area that can entertain your party for weeks. The cities are great to explore and you can do side excursions to places like Castel Arquato, Fontanellato, Vigoleno, and Torrechiara. Your violinist will also enjoy Verdi's Busseto. If it's hot it will be hot everywhere, and you'll be less than 2 hours from either coast or you can go into the nearby Apennines.