Florence or the Cinque Terre?

CT! We loved it.

I liked CT, don't get me wrong, but I found it touristy and frustrating. To me, Florence is the most amazing city I've ever seen, it breathes Renaissance, the food is amazing, the people are wonderful, and i could go on and on. And the view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo is, IMO every bit as beautiful as the views in Cinque Terre.

Are you looking for coastal scenery, hiking, and village charm (perhaps filled with tourists), or a wonderful Renaissance city full of art and history?

Just a comment on CT---people I know who have visited as a daytrip from elsewhere found it crowded and hectic. that may or may not apply if you go hiking. People who stay overnight tend to report a better experience there.

Where are you coing from for this daytrip? That may be the deciding factor. If only a day, you don't want to lose too much of it going back and forth.

It depends on where you will be docking (la Spezia?) and how long it would take you to get to CT or Florence. Are the choices you mention excursions from the ship? If the latter the chances are your excursion to Florence will include admissions to sites and a guided tour. Florence in a day is tough but can be done.

CT is lovely but you will see only a small part of it in a day. The train will take you to all the villages, but they will be really crowded even in September. I was there in September at the same time as a cruise excursion and everyone got off the packed train at Vernazza which was already really busy - everyone goes to Vernazza which is the most famous and picturesque village; you could start at Riomaggiore and walk along the good trail (easy walking) to Manarola and further along the trail, if time allowed, to Corniglia. The trail gets rougher as go go further along it.

It depends on your interests, Pretty scenery and a hike or art and architecture. Touristy small towns (the CT is very touristy even in September) or a beautiful city.

I would probably chose Florence, get off the excursion once I was there, and arrange to meet them for the return trip to the ship. Just make sure you know when and where to find them for the return!

Italy is a great place to visit - and I can recommend Rick Steves' Hill Villages tour if you ever decide to go back!

Florence!!! We didn't like the CT at all... Way over crowded. (in July)

They are different experiences but you will enjoy whatever choice you make. Have been to Florence 2x and the C.T. 3x, most recently to both last July. As a previous poster stated you will enjoy your time in the C.T. if you spend at least one night in a village. Our first trip to the C.T. we daytripped in and did not enjoy it nearly as much as the next 2 visits when we spent 3 nights/4 nights. The evenings are lovely when the crowds are gone. That said our first visit to Florence was a daytrip from San Giming. where we were staying a week at an agriturismo and we didn't nearly enjoy it as much as last summer when we spent 5 nights in an apartment here. You can't change how much time you have so just make a decision and go with it! You will have a great time where ever you go! Buon Viaggio!

La Spezia is a tender port not a dock, from there its very easy to go to CT and more work to go to Florence. Both places are special but with travel time you will not have a lot of time in Florence.

Patrick,

The choice largely depends on whether you want "small & rustic" or "large & historic". One point to consider is that from the port area, travel to Florence is going to be longer, which means you won't have as much time to really see as many of the historic sites. September tends to be somewhat "busy" as it's fall shoulder season, so you'd probably need reservations to avoid standing in long queue's at the Uffizi and/or Accademia.

However, with the Cinque Terre it's located on the coast so travel time will be much shorter. You'd probably have time to hike a few of the trails (Park Permit required, and there WILL be people checking!), explore the villages by train and of course sample Pesto in the area where it was invented, along with the local Wine.

Happy cruising!

with just one day. florence. awesome city, great sights, great food. ct is incredible, just needs more than a day. one day in florence would be the best day in europe. have fun

Thank you all for the great information. It was very helpful. We are going with Florence, since it is a day traip. For those who asked we are docking at Los Spezia on the Azamara cruise line.

Once again thank you for the tips and information. I am going to checkout the links you sent later today.

Thank you.

You will spend at least 5 hours of your one special day in transit to Florence. Since you are cruising on the Med, the CT area is much closer. Still your decision, but give some thought to the timeframe.

Bob,

Good reply! That's the point I was trying to make in my first post. As you mentioned, the choice is certainly up to the OP, but "time on the ground" for touring in Florence is going to be a bit limited.