We will be traveling to Italy on June 20 (flying into Pisa and taking the train to Cinque Terre.) Currently have an Airbnb in Vernazza for 2 nights and then plan to head to Florence on the train. (I've also heard that Levanto is great place to stay to beat the crowds- thoughts?) This is where I need help. We will stay in Florence for 2 nights and after that- am wondering if we should stay in the Tuscany region (maybe Siena?) and travel the countryside or consider another plan? We could always stay 3 nights in Florence/Tuscany area and then head to either the Dolomites or Swiss Alps for the last 3 days of our vacation. We like a mixture of museums/history with outdoor activities mixed in. I am also wanting to do a cooking class or pizza making class one day while in the Florence/Tuscany area (would welcome recommendations!!) and book a bike tour through the country side/hills of a town in Tuscany. We will have a car in Tuscany area so we can do some day trips. I just want to make this a great trip for adults and teens alike. We are an active family and plan on hiking and enjoying some beach time in Cinque Terre but also love the mountains and appreciate beautiful outdoor scenery. I've considered Rome and Venice but think I will save those for another trip. Not really into huge crowds and honestly, have been to both and tho I appreciated the beauty and history of each place, it's not a place I'm dying to go back to. I considered Venice for a day trip so my family could see it but bc of time of year, I think we would enjoy time elsewhere. I should mention that I haven't booked airfare yet as I'm not sure where I'll be flying home from. HELP!!!!!!
Posted by
824 posts
I'm not a big fan of switching places every other day because it's too much unpacking/packing and transportation. If it were me, I would spend the rest of the time in Florence and day trip from there when the desire to get out of the city hits.
There is an Eataly cooking school on the second floor of the Mercato Centrale (the building with the food court on the second floor) in Florence. I don't know if it's geared for tourists or structured chef training...
From Florence, there are a multitude of escorted small-group tours available. Or, you can just wing it on your own using public transportation or the occasional rental car.
Another option is head for the lake county. You can enjoy a mix of beaches, pastoral communities and mountains all within easy reach. I've heard Lake Garda is especially nice and I can attest to charm of Verona. Both Milan and Venice are an easy reach from Verona via train for your flight home.
Just research the pitfalls of driving in Italy so we don't hear any horror stories when you get back. Italy is densely covered by traffic and speed cameras and almost all the cities have monitored traffic zones (google ZTLs) - all have hefty fines. To compound things, you'll be hit twice, once by the rental car company and once by the local authorities. Traffic fines and the administrative fees to provide the authorities a car renter's information in the event of an infraction are not "scams", they are a consequence of breaking a law...
Posted by
Washington DC
28450 posts
What is your departure airport for the flight home? That will affect how far you can logically stray from Florence during the last few days of your trip.
You mention not wanting huge crowds. I hope you are prepared for what you will likely observe in the Cinque Terre.
Posted by
OP
41 posts
I don’t have a departure airport yet. We just know we are flying into Pisa from London on June 20 and heading to cinque terre for 2 nights- after that- we have no plans but do want to see Florence.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11839 posts
Seven nights (or is it 8 nights?) are not a lot. I would add a night to the Cinque Terre (total of 3 nights, then) as you will be getting over jetlag, and if you like to hike, the higher trails are magnificent and uncrowded.
Then rent a car in La Spezia and find an agriturismo near Florence, perhaps in Chianti, for the remaining (4?) nights. Someplace where you can take a bus into Florence if you want to, or just tootle around the countryside. Many agriturismi teach cooking classes. Look around Greve in Chianti.
With any luck, you will have time to drive to the Florence airport for departure late enough in the morning that you do not have to spend a night in Florence prior to departure. If you actually have 8 nights, maybe 3 CT, 3 Chianti and 2 Florence before you fly out.
Posted by
143 posts
Vernazza is gorgeous :)
Maybe make reservations June 20th to eat at the Belforte restaurant on the terrace on the cliff?
About beating the crowds... If you can get up early as a family, that would be best. After your first night in Vernazza, on June 21rst get leave the airbnb around 7am and take the first train to Monterosso (3min) (check the timetables on trenitalia). The train gets you to the modern (newer part of Monterosso). Walk along the sea towards the older Monterosso (south). Stop for coffee (or hot chocolate for the kids) and a quick bite for breakfast. Continue until you find the trail going towards Vernazza (up and south along the sea). Early you will beat the crowds, and the heat. You will have that paradise for yourself.
The trail Monterosso-Vernazza takes 2-3 hours depending on how long you stop to take pictures. Bring water. The first part is steep stairs but it will level off. Once back in Vernazza, the cruise ship and day trippers will have arrived. You can rest and eat; continuing the trail from Vernazza is to town of Corniglia.
Swimming in the cinque terre: Monterosso is the only beach with sands. So you could always hike from Vernazza to Monterosso in early morning and then swim once you reach Monterosso. I might be in the minority, but I like pebbles beaches. I like the deep water of Manarola off the rocks. It is clear and clean.
Don't forget to find the ferry schedule between the villages as well as the train schedule. Seeing the villages from the water is really pretty.
If your family is into doing a more strenous hike, the Corniglia-Volastra-Manarola is fantastic. But you would need 3 nights in Cinque Terre.
Posted by
OP
41 posts
This is great- thank you! We will not be suffering from jet lag as CT will be our second stop on our European vacation. We will be arriving from London (flying into Pisa and taking train to CT)- unfortunately i don’t think we will have time for 3 nights but love your hiking suggestions and we can certainly get started early if need be! Thanks again!