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Cinque Terre or Tuscany?

Posted by on

We are visiting Italy March 19-28, 2016, combining a trip to Italy with seeing some family who are working in Vicenza. This is my first trip to Italy and I am struggling to decide where to go. I would really like to see Cinque Terre but worried it would be too cool at that time? We will fly into Venice and see family in Vicenza. I had thought we might arrange the trip like this but need suggestions from those who know more! 1) arrive and visit family in Vicenza 2) two nights in Venice 3) two nights in Cinque Terre 4) Two nights in Florence 5) One night in Siena 6) Final night in Vicenza with family. It just seems like a lot of moving around? I was hoping to minimize one night stays... I also am not sure what order to do things in - but I was trying to avoid landing in Cinque Terre on Easter weekend which is the last weekend we are there.

I feel like I should skip either Siena (tuscany) or Cinque Terre altogether perhaps? Both ideas make me sad.

Posted by
15174 posts

Eliminate the nights at the Cinque Terre and the night in Siena. Add all those nights to Florence. Use Florence as a base to visit Florence itself (which needs a couple of days), Siena, and whatever you wish in Tuscany. Don't book overnight stays at the Cinque Terre as the weather is not likely amenable for that place in March. You could potentially have a day trip from Florence to the Cinque Terre, if the weather is unseasonably warm. Just leave very early because it's 2.5 hours each way and March is still standard daylight time in Europe, therefore it gets dark early. On the way back to Florence you might stop in Pisa for a couple hours at dinner, so you can see the leaning tower. The last train from Posa to Florence departs from Pisa at about 1030pm.

Posted by
7175 posts

I would forego Cinque Terre and Siena, and head to Rome for 3 nights.
I suggest this because March is not a great time for the Cinque Terre.
Also, as it is your first visit to Italy, you will get more 'bang' from your limited time by including Rome.

March 19 - Arrive Vicenza
March 20 - Venice
March 21 - Venice
March 22 - Florence
March 23 - Florence
March 24 - Rome
March 25 - Rome
March 26 - Rome
March 27 - Vicenza
March 28 - Depart Vicenza

Posted by
11322 posts

Since Rome is not on your initial list, stick to the north. You will have a lovely, high-quality trip without too much moving around if you follow Roberto's advice. So something like this:

Arrive Venezia and transfer to Vicenza - 1 night with family

Transfer to Firenze - 4 nights (day trip to Siena easily done by bus). Go to Firenze first, then backtrack to Venezia

Transfer to Venezia - 3 nights (Venezia ia really worth 2 FULL days)

Transfer to Vicenza - 1 night with family

Note Easter is the 27th and the 28th is also a holiday in Italy. Get reservations for this period ASAP as it is a busy week of travel.

Posted by
1232 posts

By skipping Cinque Terre, and staying in Florence, you can also day trip to Lucca, same day as Pisa. Pisa doesn't require too much time. Siena can be done on a second day.

Posted by
1054 posts

I'd also drop the Cinque Terra nights. I love Siena so I would add 1 additional night in Siena to your list, and then add the other at the end to Vicenza (spend more time with the family before leaving)

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