Montepulciano to Bologna to Cinque Terre

Bologna is in the region that is the food capital of Italy. Lots of good restaurants to try, miles of covered sidewalks to walk, a delightful old center. Be sure to take the guided tour the Visitor Center offers, and to climb the tower for an amazing view. You can also do day trips to places like Parma. Take a look at http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/dining/25ital.html The RS books don't cover the Bologna area, but many other guides do. Book your hotels early because Bologna hosts many conventions. In CT 4 days gives you time to hike different parts of the trail on different days, as well as some flexibility on weather since it is October. With 4 days you have a better shot at getting days without rain to hike. And its easy to take a train to visit some nearby areas to the north such as Santa Margherita Ligure, or go a bit south using your car to visit some places the tourists overlook since RS hasn't written about them (for example, see http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/dining/25ital.html ) Or you can just relax with a book on the beach if the sun is out, or under an umbrella with a glass of wine at a beachfront restaurant if its not. IMHO the time you have allocated is fine; if anything I'd add another day in Bologna. Keep in mind that "3 days in Bologna" isn't 3 full days; you need to get there, park the car or get from the train to the hotel, etc. Its usually noon or later by the time all is said and done. With a couple of days in a location you have flexibility to adjust your schedule based on your energy level, the weather, etc. and also to indulge in serendipitous adventures; driving to CT or Bologna you may pass a delightful looking town and will have the time to stop in and wander around.

" but is three nights in Bologna too long? " IMO, yes, as is 4 nights in the CT.

It depends on what you enjoy doing. If you share that info here, you'll get more helpful responses. Good luck.

I don't think 3 nights in Bologna is too much. If you wanted you could always take a quick day trip to Ferrara (just not on a Monday when EVERYTHING is closed, I made that mistake!) or Modena. Distances are very short and trains are fantastic in Emilia-Romagna. I guess that doesn't matter as much if you're driving the whole way, but if so be very careful of all the ZTLs. I went from Bologna to cinque terre last year. At the time, the direct trains from that area to La Spezia changed in Parma, so I decided to add a night there, and I am SO glad I did. Some of the best food of my life and I found the city absolutely charming and seriously untouristy. Staying overnight allowed me to take a free early morning tour of a Parmigiano dairy before the early afternoon train to CT, which is one of the highlights of my life (I'm a foodie). I would strongly recommend taking a night from CT and stopping over in Parma. I stayed in this amazing B&B a short walk from the center that was like living in a flat for the night, it was 65 euros for a flat with a mini-kitchen that would have slept 4!!!!

Hi Amanda. I agree with Mike. I don't think the time you have allotted is too much. If you find that you've seen enough of Bologna after 1-2 days, then you can explore some of the neighboring cities. You'll have a car so it will be easy. As for the CT, I don't think 4 nights is too much. We were there for 3 nights a few years ago & I didn't get my fix so I'm planning to return on my next trip. We got rained out for 1.5 days & didn't get to hike any of the trails. Since you'll be there in October, you're more likely to encounter rain. There's not a whole lot to do there when it's raining (no indoor museums, attractions, etc.). I would definitely visit some of the other Ligurian cities (i.e. Portofino, Portovenere, Camogli, etc.). I personally like to linger a little longer in each place & minimize moving around a lot because it's very tiring & a waste of time to change hotels frequently. Have a great trip.

Many opinions but we spent 1 day/1 night in Bologna in Sept. 2010 and my husband and I thought it was enough time. If you find 3 days too long you can do some daytrips around the area. This was at the end of our trip so we dropped out rental car at airport and took a taxi to our hotel, Albergo Drapperie. I believe if you are driving into the center of Bologna your hotel will have to register your car. Think I read that someplace. As far as the C.T. our first trip here in 2002 we daytripped in & wasn't enough time. 2006 we stayed 3 nights and 2009 on a trip with my sisters we stayed 4 nights and none of us thought it too long. One day we took the boat from Vernazza to Portovenere which was very fun. We also flew out of Milan after leaving the C.T. Buon Viaggio!

Bologna to Cinque Terre is a long ride. Consider a stop on the way. We were in CT in October and the weather was perfect (but a week earlier had rained a lot) cool nights, warm days but comfortable at all times.