Italy schedule help needed!

Thanks! elisabettacarro is filled up in Vernazza - her rooms look beautiful! I'll look in Monterossa. Ben

You really should reconsider the CT on such a short trip. 2 nights is really only 1 day so going that far out of the way is really not sensible. I would add a day to both Venice and Rome. You can take the train between Rome, Florence and Venice. It's very cheap and easy to use. You can book your tickets online now and possibly save a lot of money. Donna

Thanks, but we don't want more time in Venice and think three days in Florence is enough for us this time. We really are set on the CT and are just trying to figure out the best order in which to include it. We know the travel time wouldn't be something that is everyone's cup of tea.

It really does not make much of a difference. However I would do the Cinque Terre after Rome, before Florence. You might save some train changes that way. There are some trains going to Genoa from Rome (via the coastal line) which would allow you to get to La Spezia without train changes. Going through Florence first you will likely have to change in Pisa too. You have to go back through Florence to get to Venice anyway (via Milan would likely take you longer), so you can do Florence after the CT. Be aware that the weather in October is somewhat unpredictable and may be rainy. If the weather is bad, the Cinque Terre will be a waste of time.

Thanks for the info! Think that coastal route involves less backtracking and would be better as well. If it is raining, we can always change plans.

ben, My suggestion is the same as Roberto's. Visiting the C.T. after Rome provides a somewhat logical and efficient route. This is the way I'd arrange it: > Rome to C.T. - there are a few direct trains (no changes) each day from Roma Termini to La Spezia Centrale, with a travel time of ~3H:45M. From La Spezia it's only about nine minutes to Riomaggiore, the first of the C.T. towns. You can see which trains are direct by checking the Trenitalia website. When you buy your tickets in Rome, be sure to specify the direct train that you want, and specify your final destination and not La Spezia. You'll have to change trains in La Spezia anyway. Which of the five towns are you planning to stay in? Have you booked a hotel yet? > C.T. to Florence - that's an easy trip, about 2.5H as I recall. Again you can use the Trenitalia website to choose which train you want to take. There will likely be changes at La Spezia Centrale and Pisa Centrale. Note that your destination station will be Firenze SMN (many cities have more than one station, so it's important to know the correct one when buying tickets). As some of the trains you'll be using will be Regionale, DON'T FORGET to validate your tickets prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or you'll be subject to hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! You'll also need to be very careful with the premium trains such as the Freccia and Inter City as they have compulsory reservations which are specific to a particular train, date and departure time. If you board the wrong train, again hefty fines on the spot. > Florence to Venice - again, very easy via Freccia or Italo high speed (300 kmH), about 2.5H. Your destination station will be Venezia Santa Lucia. Buon Viaggio!

Thanks! We have not decided where to stay yet. Do you have a suggestion? I had been thinking about Vernazza.

All 5 towns are pretty and quaint. You can easily go from one to the next by hopping on and off the trains. There are a tons of regional trains going back and forth between La Spezia and Genoa, and they all stop in all 5 stations. All towns are just minutes apart via train. I never stayed overnight (actually I did a few times in youth, sleeping on the ground inside a sleeping bag next to my vespa or motorcycle), but my favorite town was Monterosso because it's bigger (more restaurants) and has a better beach. But any town will do.

Ben, in Vernazza, try: http://www.elisabettacarro.it/

ben, I'd also suggest staying in Monterosso (it's my favourite). It's the largest of the five, has the most restaurants & shops and a full service train station. Depending on your budget, I'd recommend either Hotel Villa Steno or Hotel Pasquale (they're "sister" properties, operated by the same family). I always stay at Villa Steno and in the past I've adjusted my Itinerary to fit their availability.

Ben, My husband and I also went to Rome, Florence, and the CT (Monterosso) on our first trip to Europe this past summer. We loved CT and even two nights is worth it, in my opinion. We spent two nights here: http://www.iltimonedimonterosso.it/loreto/en/rooms-1.htm Lovely room off the main street in the Old Town of Monterosso and the hosts were great and so helpful! The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza was a highlight of our time in the CT. Have a wonderful trip!