We will be leaving from Florence on a Monday morning to travel to the Genoa area to visit family. Since we are driving, I wanted to stop in the CT region for 1/2 a day and include lunch. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which town and lunch spot we should visit?
Thanks,
Mike Bridgewater, NJ
Posted by
In the Mountains, USA
689 posts
We drove into Monterossa. That took most of 3-4 hours just to arrive. (and 2-3 hours to get back to the main road when we left) If you don't have a hotel with a parking spot you may have a very hard time parking. I believe Monterossa is one of two towns on the CT that you can drive to. I suggest you park in LaSpazia and either train or boat into one of the towns.
Posted by
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
17 posts
Although there is no view, I suggest Il Pirate delle Cinque Terre in Venazza. It's a quick two minute walk above the train station. The food is excellent!!
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
If you're going to have lunch in the Cinque Terre, then pesto is a must. Trofie pasta with pesto sauce is excellent. It's often served with a little bit of potato and small green bean. I think Trattoria Gianni has the best trofie with pesto in Vernazza. Or for lunch with a view you'll never forget, Al Castello restaurant in Vernazza is great. Very good food, too. Be sure to try their pesto lasagne.
Posted by
OP
Bridgewater, NJ, USA
3 posts
Thanks for the great suggestions. I may have to rethink this side trip since driving to these towns sounds like a 3-4 hour trip each way. I'm not sure how safe it will be to leave the car in La Spezia full of luggage while we take a train to Vernazza.