My adult son and I will be flying into Pisa from Girona, Spain on July 1st on Ryanair, arrive around 13:00.
We can be in Italy for about 10 days, heading back to France and then lastly to London to fly back home to Utah.
The places we would like to visit ( just like the list Rick gives on his travel talk) Venice, Lucca, Cinque Terre, and Sienna.
We have been to Florence, Naples, and Rome previously. We do not rent cars, use public transportation, and sometimes choose to go on small bus tours of the region.
Thoughts on progression of this itinerary ?
There is a good plane connection from Venice to Lyon -making a plea for Venice at the end of the trip, but we could return via Pisa, Genoa, Milan or even Florence if need be. ( We have friends in Lyon-but not 100% necessary.) Venice is away from the rest of these locations, but we still feel we would like to spend time there. Is it best to take a train and go to Venice on July first and then circle back, or visit the other cities/areas, and end in Venice ? I know it is going to be hot-I am thinking it would be better to start with Venice because it will probably get more crowded as the month progresses ? Does Cinque Terre get less crowded as the month of July progresses ?
Thoughts also about how much time to spend in Venice. 2 or 3 nights ? We are not huge on big cities/crowds, we like to take time for breaks. We will be coming from spending 3 nights on the beaches on Costa Brava in Spain.
I am sorry if this sounds vague, I have been reading posts, but would still appreciate input
Also personal thoughts on a home base in Cinque Terre, would be appreciated. Thank you !
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11848 posts
It will all be hot and crowded. You can execute some strategies to get away from the crowds though.
First as to route: Land in Pisa and go to Lucca for 3 nights. Then to the Cinque Terre and wrap up in Venice. I think you need to skip Siena. 10 days (9 nights>) is barely enough for the three stops. I would do 3 nights in each of the three locations. Be aware you will spend most of a day on the trains from the Cinque Terre to Venice. If you have a 10th night, add it to Venice.
Cinque Terre - pick any of the villages, any B&B or room that strikes your fancy. The crowd-escaping tip is to hike the higher trails (#1), not the famous #2 Sentiero Azzuro. Some good options here.
In Venice, just get away from Piazza San Marco between 09:00 and 16:00. The city can be quite pleasant at night.
Posted by
Green Bay
21346 posts
Cinque Terre, Lucca, and Sienna are all right near Pisa, so I would start there. Cinque Terre first, get off the plane and take the new tramway to Pisa Centrale and then train to where ever you want to go in the Cinque Terre. Then train to Lucca, then train to Siena, and finally train to Venice. All of these places will be busy in July and I don't think it will matter what part of July you pick. Then you can get a plane from Venice to Lyon.
The train from Siena to Venice is the only one you want to book in advance to get discounted nonrefundable tickets for the Florence-Venice leg. All the other trains are Regionale, unreserved trains and you can buy at the stations. Their price never changes and they are pretty cheap to begin with.
Posted by
OP
Park City, Utah, USA
38 posts
Thank you both for your quick replies. This is very helpful :)
I will get on this...
Posted by
Chicago
8242 posts
I would go to Venice first ( for 3 nights) and then to based in Siena (3 nights) do Lucca as a day trip.
From Siena I'd go to Monterosso (3 nights) and use that as a base city to explore Cinque Terre.
You can fly from Pisa on your way to France. After 6 pm I found Cinque Terre is less crowded in July.
Posted by
Green Bay
21346 posts
If you do that, you will be going from one side of Italy to the other and back again. More time riding trains, less time enjoying Italy. Unless, of course, you fly from Girona to Venice to start with.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I would recommend starting in Venezia, but it sounds like you already have your tickets.
Normally I would recommend three stops in ten nights, but except for Venezia, you are visiting smaller cities. So if you don't mind moving around, I would say three nights in Venezia and two nights in each of the other places.
Use Laurel's strategy for avoiding crowds where you can.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
July
1. Arrive Pisa. Train to Siena (2nts)
2. Siena
3. Train to Cinque Terre (2 nts)
4. Cinque Terre
5. Train to Lucca (2nts)
6. Lucca
7. Train via Florence to Venice (3 nts)
8. Venice
9. Venice
10. Fly to Lyon, France
Posted by
Green Bay
21346 posts
There you have it. Three people with 3 separate ways of linking Pisa to Cinque Terre, Lucca, Siena. I will just add that the way that makes the most sense depends on your arrival day to avoid the Cinque Terre on a weekend.
Posted by
OP
Park City, Utah, USA
38 posts
Thanks you to everyone who has replied to my posts. It is so helpful.
I will be arriving on a Saturday, so it sounds like it's best to avoid Cinque Terre for the week-end.
I don't have the plane tickets to France as of yet, am still open. I do have the tickets into Pisa. I know train/bus schedules can be tricky on Sundays--
Any suggestions for lodging in Venice, especially neighborhoods ?
Thanks again...Mary
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"I know train/bus schedules can be tricky on Sundays--"
Actually, train schedules in Italy aren't usually that different on Sundays from other days. Buses, on the other hand, can be much less frequent, or dropped altogether.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Have to agree with Sam on this one. Pisa>Cinque Terre 3N>Lucca 2N>Siena 3N. Shortes train times. Then Siena>Florence>Venice 2N
Posted by
Green Bay
21346 posts
Arriving on a Saturday, go to Lucca first. then CT, then Siena, then Venice. In Venice, stay away from the crowds in San Marco and Rialto, and only go there in the early morning and evening to avoid the crush.