From Varenna to Venice, car or train?

Roshan, My preference would be to travel by train, following this route: > Varenna to Milano Centrale via Regionale - 1H:03M (DON'T forget to validate!). > Milano Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia via Freccia high speed train, which runs at up to 300 kmH (which you won't be able to match in a car) - 2H:35M if you choose one of the direct trains. Happy travels!

Thanks, much appreciated. I will take your advice. What about Venice to Vernazza? Car or train?

Roshan, Again, my preference would be to travel by train from Venice to Vernazza. Regardless of the travel method, it's going to take most of a full day for that trip (about 6 hours). One other thing to consider is that AFAIK there's no parking available in Vernazza. You'd have to park at the lot in La Spezia or one of the other towns and pay a hefty price while the car gathers dust as you won't need it in the C.T. The trains I'd use on that route: > Depart Venezia S. Lucia @ 08:35, arrive Firenze S.M. Novella @ 10:40 > Depart Firenze SMN @ 10:53, arrive Sarzana @ 12:56 > Depart Sarzana @ 13:26, arrive La Spezia Centrale @ 13:40 > Depart La Spezia @ 14:09, arrive Vernazza @ 14:28 I'd prefer that trip because it's one of the shortest at 5H:53M and also one of the cheapest at €42.90. NOTE that the last 3 trains are Regionale, so DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or you'll risk hefty fines starting at €50 PP, which will be collected on the spot! Departing at 08:35 should also allow you to have a quick breakfast at your hotel in Venice, which is a real good idea since you'll likely be paying for it in the cost of the room. Are you familiar with the routine for changing trains? The process will differ a bit depending on the characteristics of each station. In many cases, you'll have to go down and through a tunnel to get from one track to another. Using the route above, when you arrive in Florence you'll have 13 minutes to get to your next train, which should be more than enough since Firenze SMN is a "terminating station". Each of the other changes offer a bit more time. Cheers!