My husband and I are planning a trip in June. We are flying into Rome. We would then like to spend some time in the countryside of Tuscany and some time by the sea. We are looking for opinions on visiting Cinque Terre or Maremma Park with Le Terme di Saturna hot springs. Any thoughts?
Cindy
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15215 posts
Are you planning to rent a car?
If so the Maremma region is considerably closer to Rome than the Cinque Terre, half way in fact. However you will definitely need a car to visit that area there.
The Cinque Terre is farther north. No car needed or even recommended to visit the Cinque Terre, which is a rather small area.
Posted by
Portland
3603 posts
If you opt for the Maremma, you might want to check out the Tarot Garden, an outdoor sculpture garden designed by Niki de Saint-Phalle. I don't see it mentioned much in guidebooks, but ".fantastic" is a very appropriate description. (If you go, you'll see why.) There's also an Etruscan site, Vulci, just a few minutes over the border into Lazio.
We liked Saturnia, though it's very small. We stayed in Pitigliano, which is somewhat larger, and has its own interesting sights. There's also a greater choice of restaurants. Other interesting nearby towns are Sovana and Sorano.
Posted by
4441 posts
Roberto, may I hop in and ask more about Maremma park? I would open a new thread, but I think it may be helpful for the OP to include the info here.
I understand access is somewhat restricted. I will be staying in Orbetello in May and hope to visit the park at least two days. As I understand it, I must park at the visitor center and be bussed in before accessing the trails. Do you have any other tips or suggestions for an avid hiker and nature lover? We will bring refreshments from Orbetello and wish to see a variety of environments--definitely including the pristine-looking beach.
I plan on visiting the Tarot garden (after reading a fascinating article in the New Yorker) and Pitigliano as well--very excited!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Rosalyn, thanks for the tip about Vulci. Turns out that most or all of that park is on Google Maps in 360 degree view. Search for Parco Archeologico Ambientale di Vulci, or click here: https://goo.gl/maps/4him6Kd85gT2
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
While the Cinque Terre is beautiful and unique, it is an extremely CROWDED tourist spot and the once quiet streets are jammed shoulder to shoulder with day trippers. The shops now sell souvenir schlock making it not like it was.
My observation is based on two visits there; first in 1994 and then in 2013. During the August, 1994 visit Cinque Terre was a relatively undiscovered, sleepy nook and very charming. The streets were empty, we were the only foreigners, and we were able to mingle with the locals. During our 2013 visit it was JAMMED, JAMMED. In fact, we had train reservations from Pisa, switching in La Spezia, and then on to Vernazza. The train was SO JAMMED at La Spezia we had to wait and take a later train. The only place not crowded was the ferry from Vernazza to Monterossa. Later, we were able to board the train leaving Vernazza and it was JAMMED.
The area is incredibly beautiful, unique, but just too crowded in the Summer.
Buon viaggio,