Is cinque terre “great”? Don’t hear much talk about it. More about Amalfi coast. Just wondering if I should skip it and go to Parma and Bologna area or lake Garda instead. Many thanks!
Flying into Milan. 2-3 weeks in Tuscany and Umbria then a week in Rome, which we love. Sept 2024. Renting a car.
I looked at the 3D version of both Parma and Bologna: They seemed like the epitome of Renaissance Italy with a host of Churches and a plethora of Palaces, and many Museums. You would have to make many choices on what to see and do. You might want to just relax on Lake Garda, instead. Cinque Terre has been discovered if you know what I mean.
Cinque Terre is small but lovely. we hiked a portion between the villages, start early and end your hike with a jump into the sea afterwards. You would want to park in La Spezia train station garage and take the train to Monterosso de Mare. Very easy to do. But it is very congested in the summer. My husband and I loved Bologna it's a gem. We wished we had more time to wander the streets, eat the tortellini and drink Lambrusco. So many quick day trips from this location; Modena, Parma. If you are going to Tuscany and Umbria you may enjoy Cinque Terre since the rest of your trip could be more landlocked. We spent 8 days in Umbria last summer and 10 days in Tuscany prior. I'm really in no rush to get back to either of those locations. Too much in common. I'd take time away from these to sites and see both Cinque Terre and Bologna.
karenlaughlinis, what are your interests? Why are you going to Italy? People have different reasons.
Most people who follow Rick Steves and his Italy books and TV shows probably knows he's been a vocal promoter of the Cinque Terre for a while, which some believe has made the area too popular. I have been there a few times and love it and have yet to make it to the Amalfi Coast (which I understand is beautiful - but my Italy trips have mostly been focused in the north).
I'd say the big appeal of the Cinque Terre is hiking. It's a beautiful area on the coast in the Italian Riviera with picturesque towns that look almost like they were built into the side of the hill. Hiking between them is a favorite activity of many tourists. You can hike through olive groves and sometimes even past people's back yards, often with breathtaking views down on the ocean.
If you are not hikers, personally I'd skip the area - it's going to be crowded in September, and the downs will be mobbed with tourists mid-day (quieter at night but not desolate). If you still want to visit the Italian Riviera, you can always visit towns north of the Cinque Terre like Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, and Camogli - all lovely towns but with far fewer tourists in September than in the Cinque Terre.
If you're more into food than scenery, maybe Emilia-Romagna (Moderna, Parma, Bologna) is going to be more your speed. The food is amazing. I preferred Parma to Bologna personally (haven't been to Moderna). But most people don't visit these places for the hiking opportunities.
Cinque Terre is so popular & busy that the five villages aren’t the quaint cute undiscovered area you see in pictures. But if you’re wanting to see them, I would go.
What are your interests? Parma has my favorite Italian cathedral interior. And if you’re renting a car, stop at some of the other places such as Cremona, Modena, etc. if possible.
You didn’t mention it, but another water location is my favorite lake spot near Milan’s Malpensa airport. Stresa is on Lake Maggiore, northwest of the airport. It’s a wonderful place to get over jet lag and enjoy the Borromeo Islands.
