I imagine I will want to spend MUCH more time in this region, but working with what we have.
If we can only make it to one or two towns, recommendations? We'll be coming from Milan, and need to return to Milan for a flight back to Budapest.
If not this as a day trip, other recommendations for day-trips from Milan? I was also interested in the Lake Como region.
Thanks!
At the very least, spend the day you arrive in the town of your choice; one full day to see one or two other towns by hike, boat or train; and the morning you leave.
Consider Lake Como or Verona. The Cinque Terra is very unique and beautiful and really, in my opinion, deserves more than a day trip.
We thought a day was fine. We started in Riomaggiore walked to Manarola & Corniglia, and somewhere along the way we took the train from I think Corniglia to Vernazza and maybe even to Monterosso. It was neat to walk UP the towns.
I would day trip to Lake Maggiorie over Lake Como but both are spectacular. We visit Lake Como for 3 days at a time.
That's tough. We had arrival day (got there at 2 pm and stayed 2 nights so we had basically 1 1/2 days. I wish we had more time, but I do know that lots of people do daytrips. We visited all 5, and they are all great. My favorite towns were Vernazza (popular and busy but very pretty, and oceanfront) and Corniglia (up on a hill, beautiful vineyards, no water access). If you decide to go, I'd read up on what each is known for a decide where to spend your time. We did all 5 in one day, just to see if we could, and it was a fun day but we were exhausted. We hiked from Monterosso to Vernazza (amazing-my favorite thing we did in Italy) and used trains to get to the other 3. I'd focus on 2 (or maybe 3) if you have one day. If it is summer, Monterosso has a beach which is nice. Make sure to try some pesto-the region is known for it! :)
What month? In late spring through early fall, it is likely to be inundated with other day trippers.
Look at travel times carefully to determine if it is worthwhile.
To me, the appeal is not the towns but the hiking between them.
I trust your flight to Budapest is the day after you are considering a day-trip to Cinque Terre?
In any event, I would not make a day-trip to the CT from a city that is 3 hours away by train. That would not be one day in the CT; it would be half a day.
I propose Bergamo instead. It is a very atmospheric hill-town, though nowhere near the coast. It will feel totally different from both Milan and Budapest. Trains are frequent and take as little as 48 minutes, though you do have to hop on a funicular to reach Bergamo's historic district.
Another vote with acraven for Bergamo! The old part of the city is really interesting, and you won't need to spend 6 hours RT on trains to get there and back. IMHO, that's too many hours on transport for a day trip.
As I read your post, you plan to travel from Milan to CT and back to Milan to catch a flight the same day. ?
If so, Lake Como ( Varenna) is a much better choice.
