Hello!
I’m taking my two daughters ( 21 and 18) on a high school and college graduation trip. They want to experience Italian culture. After reading many other forums I decided to spend our first visit to Italy in just two locations. Our trip is July 22 -29. We will fly into Florence and have four nights there then take the train to cinque a Terre for 3 nights. Trying to decided between staying in Vernaza or Manarola. We love ocean views, hiking and good food. Any advice on which city?
Also wondering how to divide up at the four days in Florence. Wanting to do a day trip to Tuscany. I have a car reserved for $75 for the entire day. But I’m wondering if it is a good idea to drive? I am wanting to possibly see Siena, San Germanio or other suggestions. I have done a tremendous amount of traveling hiking and camping in the United States but this is my first visit to Europe. I have headed your advice and scale down my initial itinerary of visiting Rome and Venice and decided to save those for our next trip.
Itinerary
July 22 arrive Florence. Staying Piccolo Residence Apart hotel San Marco,Santissma Annuziata 4 nights
July 23 Florence sights
July 24 Tuscany day trip
July 25 Florence
July 26 morning in Florence. Train to Cinque Terre
July 29 Flight out of Pisa
Any suggestions or changes?
Should I drive for the Tuscany day trip?
Posted by
4384 posts
It's really a personal preference on driving. You can get to Siena by bus. Or you can pay a driver.
Is your Pisa flight late enough that you can stay in CT last night?
Posted by
CA, USA
1102 posts
I’m taking my two daughters ( 21 and 18) on a high school and college graduation trip. They want to experience Italian culture.
Cinque Terre is beautiful but few would describe it as emblematic of Italian culture. Instead you might consider a town just a few miles but a world of experience away, the town of Lerici. It't where the Italians go. We were there a few years ago and enjoyed it immensely. There are hiking opportunities as well as nearby towns to visit such as Porto Venere. You can even take a ferry and visit some Cinque Terre towns. You can get to Lerici by public transit but renting a car would be more convenient.
As the NYT wrote about Lerici few years ago
a few miles to the north is the Cinque Terre, five cliff-clinging hamlets connected by narrow footpaths that are overrun with Americans. In fact, Lerici holds much of the same appeal as its more popular neighbors, with beautiful swaths of beach and miles of hiking trails with photogenic vistas, minus the suffocating crowds. In Lerici, unlike many other Riviera towns, the lingua franca is still poetic Italian.
Gift article: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/travel/20next.html?ugrp=u&unlocked_article_code=1.fk0.0QtZ.1SYkcvIQZ-c7&smid=url-share
Another article: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/italy/lerici-italy-holidays-cinque-terre-b2461132.html
Posted by
Atlanta
4843 posts
Should I drive for the Tuscany day trip?
In my opinion, no. You will miss a lot of the beauty of Tuscany if you are driving. Then there is the matter of speed cameras, ZTL areas, and the stress of driving on strange ground with strange road signs. It will cost a bit more, but hiring a private driver will be well worth it.
Posted by
Franklin, Tennessee
113 posts
Just did some of this trip last September. Highly recommend a stay or visit to Lucca. We found it to be our favorite city there where we also stayed in Florence and Rome, and day tripped to Venice. Pisa, Bologna and Cinque Terre
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
147 posts
Hi Tracy,
Sounds like a great trip for you and your daughters! My husband, teenager daughter and I will be in Florence for four nights (staying at the Piccolo Residence Apartment hotel too) and CT for three nights this June so I have been in full planning mode lately. A few thoughts on your plans...
I don't think you should rent a car for one day. It's easy to find small, guided tours around Tuscany. Although more expensive than renting a car, a tour will allow you enjoy the scenery as others said, and not stress about navigating, parking, tickets, and so on. We are considering a guided tour to a few wineries and San Gimignano with the company Fun in Tuscany.
In the CT, consider staying in Monterosso which we chose because it's the only town with an actual beach (although it's rocks/pebbles), has more restaurant choices and seemed better suited to traveling with a teenager who may want to venture out on her own without us! (My husband and I stayed in Vernazza 20 years ago and it was lovely for a couples vacation, but there is not much to do in the evenings). Also, you'll likely get advice on this forum to skip CT in favor of a lesser known/ lesser touristed location: ignore this. CT is crowed, but beautiful. Your daughters will love it - and will get amazing pictures to share on social media (speaking as a girl-mom!)
Have a wonderful time!
Amy
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much for all the information.
I will book a tour or a driver for Tuscany.
We are flying out late in the afternoon (3:30) so we can stay in CT for the last night.
Amy! Wow! The same trip! Thank you for your input on CT. My girls want to go. I am concerned about the crowds but that is why we choose to stay instead of do a day trip. I will look for accommodations in Monterosso. I have read that the mornings and evenings are not crowded...or at least not Disneyland.
Also thanks for tour advice...sounds like the way to go. Have you been or are you going to Lucca?