We (two adults) plan to fly in to Milan on April 1 and want to visit Cinque Terre before going to Zurich for a river cruise on the 9th. It's going to be Palm Sunday weekend and the start to Easter Week so we are wondering if anyone has traveled there during this holiday period. Our other alternative is arrive later and return to Milan after the cruise ends April 22. I believe Italy has a national holiday on April 25th so curious if this may affect our ability to get around. Any input is appreciated.
Posted by
Maryland
898 posts
Easter moves so weather is variable, but it is always "spring-like."
You arrive on Wednesday April 1, visit Milan immediately and want to go to CT on the 4th-5th- Plus(?). And back to Zurich on the 8th Right?
That is two opposite directions of course.
3-4 hours Milano Centrale to La Spezia. 1/2 day travel
4-5 hours Milano Centrale to Zurich. 8-9 hours LaSpezia to Zurich. 1 day travel
https://www.lefrecce.it/B2CWeb/search.do?parameter=searchOutputViewer&cFID=GUQZMXLY7aow
https://www.bahn.de/en/view/index.shtml or bahn.com
We arrived in the Cinque Terre by train on an Easter Sunday a few years ago. Trains were a bit full for a Sunday with family day visitors. It will probably be the same on Palm Sunday. We stayed in Levanto because that is what was available. The major limitation we encountered was rainy weather, which discouraged much hiking or outdoor cafe sitting. It had been a hard winter so the coast trail was closed in several spots by landslips.
It might make easier traveling to head to the CT as soon as you arrive and then head back to Milan early, have your visit there and then head up to Zurich.
Otherwise it was a great time. You best check with your hotel on what they say will be open/available.
Posted by
OP
35 posts
Thanks for the responses, especially about traveling on Easter Sunday.
Posted by
3 posts
It is very nice. We rode around on a moped there for a week without any problems!