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French/Italian Rivieras Itinerary Feedback sought

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We will start in early June 2024 with a few days in Paris.

From Paris we will take the train to Nice, but stay in Antibes (we stayed in Nice in 2023) for 2 days.
From Antibes we will take the train to either Menton or San Remo (I think I prefer Menton) for 1.5-2 days.
Then due to constraints all the way across to Portofino or Santa Margherita Liguria. Any input as to which one to choose? 2 days.

Then onward to Vernazza or Levanto or Camogli or Manarola. Any input as to which one? Or other suggestions? 2 days.

Then onto Rome for 2.5-3 days before flying home to San Francisco.

Spending about 2-2.5 days in a place worked well for our 2023 trip to Provence and the French Riviera. This time my wife and I are taking along our 6 year-old daughter. With this in mind I have tried to choose towns with swimming beaches, but also scenic places that I have wanted to check out. I've been to Italy but never Liguria. We might do day trips from some of these places, but otherwise will probably stick to a slow pace of some sightseeing combined with whatever will make the kid happy. Any kid-friendly places/activities would also be greatly appreciated.
All in all we have about 14-16 days, we are still figuring it out.

Posted by
11159 posts

No to Portofino and a big YES to Santa Margherita Ligure or to Camogli, next to Santa Margherita. SML is adjacent to Portofino.
Portofino is physically beautiful but filled with very upscale shops, i.e. Gucci. Pricey. Wouldn’t take a child there.
We have stayed in SML several times, wonderful.
And when you go to the Cinque Terre ( Manorola, Vernazza,) look at Monterosso too as it has the best, largest beach area. Just north of the Cinque Terre are several nice, child friendly towns too.
Enjoy your family’s trip!

Posted by
2177 posts

I would stay in Santa Margherita Ligure for your 4-5 days and do day trips to other places. I did that in September 2023, going to Camogli, Monterosso, Portofino and several others. In Santa Margherita, take your daughter to the Parco del Flauto Magico (Magic Flute).

Posted by
2 posts

I would definitely stay in Santa Margherita Ligure. We were there last year over Easter with our 10-year-old daughter and had a wonderful time. There is a great walk/hike with beautiful views from SML to Portofino, part of it along road but on an extra walkway and much of it through forest in shade. We saw many families with children along the route and my daughter played with many of them. There is even a playground along the way. You can stop in Baia di Paraggi for swim or to put your feet in the water or get a gelato. You can always take the taxi boat back from Portofino. You can also do this in the reverse order by taking the taxi boat from SML to Portofino and walking back. On another day we took the train to Cinque and hiked between Vernazza and Monterosso. It was a nightmare! So many tourists that it wasn't enjoyable. We also did a beautiful hike from Portofino to San Fruttuoso. It was so nice since there weren't many people, but it's a demanding hike if you're not use to hiking. You can take a taxi boat to and from San Fruttuoso since there are no roads that lead there.

Posted by
954 posts

I agree with the other posters that I would stay in SML or Camogli and take day trips to see Cinque Terre and Portofino.

I am not sure about Menton vs Sanremo. I haven’t been but both are on my list!

Posted by
515 posts

There is the beach jewel of Alasdio in ItalRiv. San Remo seemed a little run down. I have really tried to love Menton but feel underwhelmed. Antibes is great in many ways. There is also other French cities with beautiful bays like Villefranchranche Sur Mer. CT is worth seeing one time if not seen already. And after seeing Stanley Tucci’s show on Genoa thinking to revisit. See the sea fort in Savonna famous in Napoleonic times.

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