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Itinerary Help

Posted by (Atlanta, GA) on

Hi! I have traveled to Italy several times, however, I have not been to Cinque Terre and want to go during this trip. I always question myself because I do not like to overdo the itinerary but also make the most of our time while there. I will fly in and out of Rome, staying in Rome my first and last night- that gives me 7 additional nights. I always stay in Florence for several nights as that is my absolute favorite city. My thoughts were 3 nights in Florence, 2 in Cinque Terre and 2 in Siena before headed back to Rome. Is this cramming too much in and too much train travel? I could not go to Siena (we have been and love) and try another small Tuscan town that we have not seen. Maybe do one night in Lucca or something similar instead of Siena? I'm sure that I am overthinking and any place in that region will be lovely.
Has anyone done a similar trip and have tips. We do not need to see any sights in Rome, so the first night and last is all we need there...
Also- I was thinking that Riomaggiore may be a good village for a first timer in CT, does anyone suggest any different as I am open. We are going in mid-April, so no swimming and no beach time.
Any feedback or recommendations would be appreciated.

Danielle

Posted by
82 posts

Well its up to you, of course, how comfortable you are with picking up and moving from city to city. If you pack light, and switching hotels every couple of nights doesn't bother you too much, this is doable.

I'm getting older and what used to be easy peasy is not so much any more. I prefer to stay more nights in fewer places now, but again it all depends on your personal comfort level.

Posted by
1103 posts

Welcome to the Forum! My first question would be: where are you flying from? How do you feel about not staying the first night in Rome (if you 'do not need to see any sights'? From FCO it is rather easy to get to Florence. If you handle jet lag well, I would suggest going straight there. It maximises your stay and itinerary. Cinque Terre is nice and 2 nights should be enough. each town is so wonderfully and uniquely situated on the coast. On the train ride back from Cinque Terre how about stopping in Lucca for 2 nights (I always recommend against one night stays)? I love Siena too and usually spend 4 or 5 nights there every trip. That said, Lucca might be a really nice discovery for you! Stay within the walls.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you both for the sound advice. Yes, getting a bit older myself and moving hotel to hotel becomes more of a hassle these days. I think this is why I question the two nights here and there....
I do fly from Atlanta directly to FCO and like to stay one evening in Rome to visit a small family-owned restaurant. I guess I could do that the last night and go directly from FCO to Florence, good suggestion!
It's such a challenge for me because I always want to try new places when I visit Italy but also want to go back to previous places we have been while there that just tug the heartstrings.

Posted by
470 posts

Would you not consider seeing more of the beautiful region of Liguria if you will include the CT, and have already been to Siena and Florence? You could spend a couple of days in the cT and then choose one of the less touristed towns along the coast...maybe Camogli (??).

As you have it now, that would mean too much changing of hotels and too much time lost in transit. For me.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you. This is all good information to consider. I definitely do not want the stress of changing hotels and trains too much. My time in Florence is a must and for this trip we have committed to visiting CT. Perhaps it's best to stay in CT and Florence each an extra night to allow more time for one day trip and to explore the CT area more. I would like to check Lucca off the list, but that is another hotel and another train ride.

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