Hi
I’m planning a trip from Milan(1 day only) then to Varenna(Como 2 nights ) via trains.
Rent a car in Como area and spending a day or so going down to Cinque Terra (2 nights) and then on to Florence area 4 nights and fly out early next day.
Suggestions? Stay a day somewhere between Como area and Cinque? Close place to stay near Florence? but access to airport early? We want to explore area south of Florence a bit.
Elizabeth
I suggest that you map out your travel on an internet site like mapquest or on your iPhone MAPS. Find out how much time it will take and add a bit more for your not being familiar with the route.
Not sure about a place between Como and CT, but Sienna, SW of Florence is great as is Lucca.
Having a car in Florence will be a liability since parking is a problem and expensive.
Train travel will be so much less stressful, between fear of ZTL zones (and $$$$ traffic tickets), gas, and parking costs.
The only area a car would be a benefit is in Tuscany.
What season is this trip? Have a great time. Safe Travels!
All of the places you've listed are accessible by trains, and many would find cars more of a hindrance than a help in those places. The only area where a car would be a benefit would be the small hill towns in Tuscany. Why stay outside of Florence? It is a transportation hub for the area and the historic area is very walkable. The airport is easily reached by tram or a 15 min taxi ride.
We did a Northern Italy trip in 2023, and traveled by train everywhere. We typically rent a car when we travel to see the sites, but the trains were so convenient that we did not rent a car. Here's what we did:
1- Flew into Milan, spent overnight in Milan.
2- Train to LaSpezia where we visited Cinque Terre (2 days)
3- Train to Pisa (stored luggage in Pisa for a half day visit in Pisa) and onto Florence (several days)
4- Train from Florence to Venice (1 day)
5- Train from Venice to Verona (2 days)
6- Train from Verona to Milan (3 days); while in Milan we took the train to Lake Como for a day trip
7- Fly home from Milan
