Lake Como vs Cinque Terre. Or both?

How long is the total trip? If that’s the whole time in Italy I would just do one of the two and having been to Como but not CT and can tell you that Como is pretty amazing and doing both sounds rushed.

two nights in Milan, two in Lake Como, one in Genoa, two in Vernazza, and one more in Milan before we fly out the next day. I’m feeling rushed too. Is CQ worth the visit? Como better?

Well I can’t tell you Lake Como is better but I made the choice to see it over Cinque Terre. We loved Lake Como. We spent five nights there.

Part of the reason we didn’t do it is the transportation logistics from Milan as you are discovering. The other reason is that I thought there would be more space at Lake Como. We took the ferry everywhere and it was very pleasant and not like the stories I have heard about the crowded trains between towns in the Cinque Terrre.

Thank you! Did you stay in the same place the whole five nights or different towns?

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

What time of year is this? That affects how much you can do and where would be the best choices. What is your travel style and your needs during this trip? If you like a small bite of a lot and a very energized trip, go for it. If you want to relax and really absorb your surroundings, maybe cut the C/T out.

It is a tough call about C/T. It gets a bad rap with many, we loved it but wouldn't go again. It is very dramatic, unique and gorgeous. It is crowded, intense but a once in a lifetime experience. We loved Lake Como, it is peaceful, expansive and serene. But if you get bad weather, there is not a lot inside to do.

I would recommend after landing to go straight to Lake Como and we loved Varenna, Bellagio was a great visit but you need to think through what kind of vibe you want, many do love it. And Varenna is also where the train station is. Stay 3 nights there.

Head to C/T and we liked Manarola there, stay 2 nights. Head back to Milan and stay 2 nights there.
If private drivers are an option that makes your transfers quicker and smoother. Enjoy!

You are there only 5 nights. I would concentrate on one place. Actually, if you fly to Malpensa, I would spend all 5 nights at Lake Maggiore which is near the Malpensa airport and between lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, offers even more things to do than lake Como.

Look. Rick Steves is pushing Lake Como (Varenna in particular) and Cinque Terre, most likely because his tours go there and he’s trying to promote his business. That is understandable. But, as far as I’m concerned, there are many more places that are worth visiting in Italy that nowadays are much better than those. Both Varenna and Cinque Terre have become a zoo in the past couple of decades. I would choose anything else but those to visit.

In the same situation and given the very short time frame, I would arrange the trip somewhat differently, and cut at least one of your stops. This is the itinerary I'd choose.....

• Fly inbound Milan
• Take train directly to Varenna-Esino and then ferry to Bellagio (about 20 minutes from Varenna... ticket office right across from Albergo Olivedo, right on the lake) - 3 nights? Lago di Como is a great place to recover from jet lag!!!
• Train back to Milano Centrale. (Suggestion: pick up a Panino and a beverage at one of the vendors in the station, to take with you on the next train).
• Train to Monterosso.... there's a direct (no changes) departure at 12:10, arriving at 15:05 - 3 nights? Use that as a "home base" to explore the five towns. I suggested Monterosso as it's the largest of the towns and has the most hotels, restaurants and other tourist amenities, as well as the best beaches. As it's the largest with an "old town" and "new town", it also absorbs the crowds a bit better.
• Train back to Milano Centrale (or wherever your next stop is).

IMHO, spending time in four destinations on what looks like a seven night trip is going to be an arduous ordeal. By limiting yourself to two destinations, you'll be able to enjoy the experience in each place much more. These days I prefer the "slow travel" itinerary planning method.

Buon Viaggio!

We’ve decided on 2 nights Milan and 3 in Bellagio. If we are up for it we’ll head to CT for a day or two. We fly standby so can go whenever. Thx for all the great options.