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Cinque Terre Sunday or Monday in June?

Hello,

We are debating a day trip to Cinque Terre in June on either a Sunday or a Monday. We have a group of 8. Active Grandparents, my husband and myself, and 4 children, daughter 20 and boys 18, 16 and 10. Not sure if all of us would go or just some of us :)

Fri June 6 We arrive in Florence from Venice. Spending the day in Florence before heading to our Villa outside of the Poggobonsi area.

We have 3 full days in Tuscany: Sat, Sun and Mon June 7/8/9

Tuesday June 10 early train to Rome.

Ideally I would rather do a big day trip on Sunday in the middle of our time in Tuscany, BUT if going to CT on Monday would be a significantly more enjoyable experience then during the weekend we would go Monday instead. A local Winery/horseride/vespa tour of San G company implied that Sunday would be a more enjoyable day then Saturday for that particular adventure so it got me thinking that maybe its really just Saturday that is very busy? But CT might be a whole different kettle of fish and busy everyday of the week and it won't make any difference which day we go?

We were going to do CT ourselves and hike what we can, no tour. so I think can be decided last minute BUT the wine tour stuff I understand needs to be booked ahead so that is what is driving the need to plan which day so I know where to put the wine/bike/horse (whatever it ends up being!) and which day to leave open for possible CT vs other hill town visits.

We might not go at all to CT since it is a lot for one day, but if we do I want to make the most of it.

Posted by
16477 posts

Most of your day will be spent getting there and back coming from Poggibonsi, no matter if you drive or take the train. Plan on 3.5+ hours each way, door to door.
If it’s a nice day, and you plan to drive, the roads to the coast will be packed, especially coming back. There will be also a lot of day trippers on Sunday (although the Cinque Terre are likely packed every day in June).

Posted by
2543 posts

hey hey callinvet
as roberto mentions a very long day for cinque terre with travel taking up most of it. my own opinion i would not recommend it. it's your vacation though.
cinque terre will be very very busy and crowded with people staying there, daytrippers, and cruise ships adding thousands more.
it's summertime and high season with the places you are going plus the heat. hoping you have A/C in your accommodations plus washer/dryer (if available), pack light with everyone carrying their own luggage and room in cars.
be sure you get an IDP for every driver (aaa.com/IDP), it's mandatory in italy, including those that are planning to ride a vespa. they have to have a valid driver's license and use both together when driving.
is the winery and vespa tour included together? be very careful with the drinking laws, renting vespas and their capability of operating a vespa, not the day of. some companies will test you first before approving the tour. read fine print carefully
italianlife.com/ how to rent a vespa in italy
we did a wine tour in poggibonsi which is pretty countrysides but very quiet area. maybe you and your gang can find something to do near your villa that's enjoyable for all involved or ask host/hostess
look at goat/pig farm tours: sangimignanoexperience.it
cinta senese pig farm with salami tasting (la botteghina di scorgiano)
goat cheese, wine tasting and tour of farm with the goats (fattoria le caprine)
have a great and fun time
aloha
PS look at festivals of tuscany 2025 if any fair/festival going on when you are there

Posted by
1838 posts

I think a trip to Cinque Terre would squander your time. The drive times from Poggibonsi are a big factor. Better to plan using GoogleMaps drive times to visit nearer places - Siena, Volterra, Certaldo Alta, Pisa, San Miniato, Lucca, etc..