I am planning a trip to Italy with my parents in mid-May 2017. The itinerary I currently have planned is fly into Rome, spend 3 nights. Then 3 nights in Tuscany (Chianti area) and 3 nights in Monterosso, Cinque Terre. We are flying out of Pisa to come home. This is my parents first trip to Italy and my second (only went to Rome). I'm thinking about cutting out Cinque Terre and spending more time in Rome/ Tuscany. I've read about a lot of people experiencing miserable crowds in Cinque Terre (May to September). Also the more I research how to get to CT from Tuscany/Florence, it sounds like a pain (train transfers) to get there and at least half of a day travel time. Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by
seattle
2048 posts
CT is beautiful but very touristy. You definitely see more Americans than Italians there. I would probably skip or spend less time in CT. A place to consider is Lucca which is not far from Pisa. Will you be renting a car? That is certainly the easiest way to travel in Tuscany. Luckily there are many car rental companies that don't charge one-way frop fees.
Posted by
Washington DC
27209 posts
It would be the crowds, not the transportation, that would concern me if I were considering a multi-day visit to the Cinque Terre. (Caveat: I haven't been there for 30 years, so I'm basing my comments on the reports of recent visitors and a few photos.) I wonder whether a day-trip from either Florence or Lucca (might be a bit quicker) that focused on the coastal boat ride would appeal? You'd see at least four of the towns from the sea. I've never made that trip, so it's just a thought.
There would be nothing wrong with just dividing the trip between Tuscany and Rome. If you want some small-town time while in Rome, you could include day-trips to Orvieto (lovely and I'm pretty sure it would be less touristy on weekdays; many Italians seem to visit on weekends) or the Castelli Romani.
Posted by
11208 posts
We did the Cinque Terre before it was so terribly crowded but were able to complete the whole hiking trail. Now I beleive there are portuons of the trail closed from the floods several years ago.
We prefer to spend rime in beauriful Santa Margherita Ligure or Camogli, north of tne CT. Take a look at those towns bedore giving up on tne coast.
On tne other hand, three nights in Tuscany is not enough. For Chianti, stay in Panzano, on the famous Rt. 222, halfway between Siena and Florence. Panzano is surrounded by vineyards, beautiful.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15246 posts
If the Cinque Terre is part of your trip, 5 Terre is a nice place to relax and get rid of the jet lag. You can probably make do with 2 nights only in Monterosso.
Then, after staying at the 5 Terre, I would rent a car in La Spezia and head to Tuscany by car for a few days. Finally, after roaming Tuscany, I'd return the car as soon as I get to Rome and spend the last few days in Rome without a car before returning home.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15600 posts
How about using those 3 nights to visit Orvieto and Assisi between Rome and Florence/Tuscany?
Posted by
Fulda Germany and Rhode Island USA
332 posts
I second the above and would add Assisi . Rome is terribly crowded and busy. CT will be the same. I was just in Rome and Assisi and prefer Assisi over Rome any day. The place we liked the most is by far Tuscany. The vineyards , people and food is just awesome. If you do you need a car for sure. We did the famous Val' D Orcia drive and its something I def want to do again. Enjoy your time Italy is beautiful.