Liguria, Italy

There will be lots of tourists in Liguria in July as the towns are seaside resorts. Look at Sestri Levanti, Camogli, and Santa Margherita Ligure. Also Portovenere. What to do in the Cinque Terre? It is all about hiking there and you used to be able to hike between all five villages. However, some of the trails were damaged in heavy rains and are not open. Monterosso has a small beach. It will be very crowded there, mobbed.

Much of Liguria will be busy with European tourists, but you may escape a lot of Americans by selecting Camogli. You can hike in the peninsula, go up to Montallegro on the lift at Rapallo and hike there. Note that anything along the seashore is busy in July and August, but perhaps not quite as crazy as the Cinque Terre.

I used to vacation in Moneglia a few times when I was living in Italy.

One of the quaintest towns in Italy, it was added to the national list of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.

It’s located half way between Cinque Terre and Portofino. Very few Americans know the place, probably even nowadays. Gets busy with Italian tourists mid July through August, like everywhere else in Liguria.

Check it out on Google Images.
https://goo.gl/images/Q9uxqJ

What do you think of this itinerary?
Day 1/2: Rome (we have been to Rome 20 yrs. ago) - Our kids haven't been. I would almost prefer to fly in to Rome and leave, but I think the kids will want to at least experience the Eternal City. Maybe do a double decker bus tour.
Day 3: Train to Pisa, see the Leaning Tower, and then head to Cinque Terre or north to Portofino/Camogli. Stay in Liguria area.
Day 4/5: Hike, tour the Liguria region
Day 6: Train to Milan/Lake Como - stay at Lake Como
Day 7: Train to Venice to meet friends.

It wouldn't hurt my feelings to skip Pisa if we need to. Thanks, Michelle

Uh-oh, Roberto - I think you've opened a back door!

Bus tour in Rome is not a good idea as the sites are not accessible to see from a bus. Pedestrianized zones.
We have spent a lot of time on Lake Como and enjoy looking at scenery and villas with gardens. We decided not to take our grandkids there. I think teens would be bored. However, they loved Tuscany. We did daily trips to villages and Florence.
Look also at Lake Garda, beaches, amusement park.

A stop in Pisa on the way from Rome to your lodgings in Liguria makes sense, but going all the way to Lake Como for just one night on your way to Venice doesn't. I think the suggestion to stop on Lake Garda makes more sense for a lake stop. Pick a spot on the south shore that's easily assessed from the Milan-Venice train line.