I asked this question before, but it looks like new information has me asking this again.
We will be staying outside Lucca, with a 30 minute drive to the train station. The idea was to take the train from Lucca to La Spezia (changing trains in Viareggio), where we will continue on to Cinque Terre for the day, returning in the evening.
My original concern was getting to La Spezia - I was going to drive but was concerned about the parking - I don't want to waste what little time I've got possibly finding the parking lot there full, then having to drive around to find a place to park. So I was going to eat the cost of a train ticket from Lucca to La Spezia.
However, when I looked read more about this I started to get concerned about the parking situation in Lucca, as well as the parking situation in Viareggio.
So does anyone have experience with this? I'd like to be as efficient with my time as possible, but I just don't know what parking might be like mid-morning in these places, and don't see where I can reserve a spot. My default will be just to drive to La Spezia and hope for the best, but there may be better options?
Thanks -
george