Need a little help/advice on my trip planning. Here's what I have so far: 8/26 - Arrive in Venice (2:00 pm-ish) Have a hotel booked for 2 nights 8/26, 8/27 = Venice 8/28 am, TRAIN to Verenna (Lake Como) 8/28, 8/29 = Varenna (hiking, boat ride, eating, etc) 8/30 am TRAIN to (somewhere) Cinque Terre
8/30, 8/31 = (somewhere) Cinque Terre (hiking, boat ride, eating, etc) 9/1 = Pick up car in La Spezia, drive to Umbria 9/1-9/8 : Extremely fortunate that we have place to stay in Umbria. We plan on doing day trips that week (Florence, Assisi, etc). While in Umbria we plan on a day trip to Florence and Assisi. We want to spend other days wine tasting in other areas, and are looking into bike rentals for 1 or 2 days. Any suggestions on where to stay in Varenna or Cinque Terre? Any suggestions on the overall plan? -Deborah
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10715 posts
You are going to the Cinque Terre THIS month? Good luck finding a place at the height of tourist season. I would try Venere.com and maybe you will find something, possibly nearby such as La Spezia. You may have a similar problem in Varenna. I would not delay in finding a place. Don't wait for people here to make suggestions. Good luck!
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2429 posts
Good luck since september is high season. Some suggestions: venere.com homeaway.com booking.com freereservation.com
you may want to check roninrome.com even though he lives elsewhere, he may give you some suggestions. all i can say is book what available and enjoy have fun!!! dont stress
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11838 posts
Where are you staying in Umbria? We spent 5 nights in Spello last December and toured around to Spoleto, Assisi and Perugia. Also took a wonderful wine tour with Gusto Wine Tours. Do check them out if you are wine lovers. Mark will take you to wineries you most likely would not find on your own. Spoleto has some great hking options: Up and over the Ponti delle Torri, possibly as far as Monteluco. The TI can give you directions. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
Deborah, As Andrea mentioned, if you're planning to travel this month, you may have trouble finding accommodations. August is peak holiday season, both for travellers from outside Europe but also many Italians take holidays then. I would highly recommend getting something "locked down" SOON!!! You may not be "Woot Wooting" when you try to arrange a booking, or you may find that you have to spend much more than you planned. For lodgings in the Cinque Terre, you could start with the accommodations in these lists: Monterosso Vernazza The Guidebook has good suggestions for lodgings in all of the five towns. I would also suggest trying to get something booked in Varenna ASAP. Albergo Milano is a very popular choice, but you could also have a look at: > Albergo Olivedo (they also have apartments in a separate building). It's right next to the Ferry dock, so lots of activity there. > Hotel Royal Victoria (it's a bit "posh" but in a nice location) > Hotel Villa Cipressi > Hotel Eremo Gaudio (it's a ways up the hill so you'll need to take a Taxi from the station - incredible views though!) Regarding your plans to rent a car, I'm assuming you're aware of the usual "caveats" regarding driving in Italy? Your trip to Umbria should be fairly straightforward, but reading about your plans to visit Florence raised some HUGE "red flags". If you need further information, post another note. The "overall plan" looks fine, although it only allows limited time in Varenna and the Cinque Terre. Happy travels!
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3943 posts
I've used arbaspaa.com to book our last stay and our upcoming stay - we booked in Corniglia...I found the rates reasonable (I think 80 euro a night for the place we picked)...they have bookings for all 5 villages as well as surrounding areas, along with day tours - flights, sailings, wine-tasting, etc Just checked their site (but not knowing how many people, I put in 2) and they look like they still have rooms (most aren't hotels, but rooms in houses, no breakfast included) in all villages but Vernazza, starting at 130euro for the 2 nights, up to 500+ for expensive hotels - I was very pleased with the service, and would recommend them...