We are travelling from France to Tuscany. Our plan is to drop off our car in Nice and take the train to Genoa and then pick up a new rental car. We will eventually be going to Tuscany for a wedding, but don't want to drive all the way from Genoa to Tuscany in one day. We plan on stopping the night somewhere along the way. If we take the early train from Nice, we plan on being in Genoa by 11 am, so we will have an afternoon/evening to sightsee. We were thinking of stopping in Lucca (since its about half-way). Is that a good choice? Any other recommendations?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17448 posts
The coast is so beautiful but tough wiht a car. Why not stay on the train from Genoa on down to Cinque Terre or nearby? Overnight there, then the next day continue by train to Pisa and pick up a car at the rental office at the airport which is convenient and has good opening hours.
Posted by
OP
Fullerton, CA, USA
12 posts
Thanks Lola. I did not know that the coast is a tough drive? Why is that? I'm so glad I asked, becuase we thought it would be more convenient to drive (since we already need to rent a car for Tuscany). Thanks for your advice!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10609 posts
We really enjoyed Lucca. We spent one night there on our way from Florence to CT. If you do go there be sure to bike the ramparts.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Ali, we were in Genoa this past fall. Unless you need to go there for some reason, I would not waste my time in that city. It is basically a large shipping port city very similar to Long Beach. Like Lola said, maybe continue on to Cinque Terre, by train, if you want to see the coast. Driving along that coast last fall was the biggest mistake we made on our 5 week trip. The streets are narrow and very busy with mopeds, large trucks and crazy Italian drivers. There's a reason why their cars, in that part of Italy, are full of dents. Driving on the autostrada or in the country is fine, just not along the coast. Lucca would be a good stopping point on the way to Tuscany. I believe AutoEurope has a place there to rent a car.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Ali, the highway from Levanto to La Spezia is very twisty and winding. It's white knuckle driving in some parts. The train is much faster.