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Nice to Italian Riviera

Posted by on

Need some advice on this trip.

We will be flying into Nice (2 parents, and 2 older teens) in mid/late July. We have 10 days total. Our plan was to see Nice/Antibes (hit the picasso musuem and chagall museum) --day we arrive plus one more day total, and then take the train into italy along the coast.
Places we are considering:
Genoa (cooking class?)
Cinque Terra
Portofino
santa margherita
We would like to explore the water (snorkeling etc, and try some deep see fishing) as well as just enjoy the cliff hikes and atmosphere.
We could leave that area and take the train to Venice and fly out of Venice or return to Nice.

1) Where should we go on the italian coast? And are our ideas feasible? Suggestions on places to stay in this time frame?
2) Should we stay a night in Genoa or just take the train for a day?
3) Should we fly out of Nice or try and squeeze in Venice to see Murano/Burano?

This is our kids first time in Italy, they like the outdoors, they like art, and they like delicious food! Thanks so much for any guidance.

Posted by
9357 posts

We enjoyed our time in Santa Margherita Ligure very much

Not much in Portofino
CT will be heaving with crowds

At this late date you are likely going to have to pick wherever you can find lodging available

With just 10 days you don’t have time for Venice-too much travel time wasted

Consider flying home from Milan

Posted by
2164 posts

I would stay the night in Genoa or Camogli.

Camogli is a lovely little place on the water with great food and scenery and colorful buildings --- there's a short train ride between Genoa and Camogli. We stayed there for a week and took the train to other towns on the coast, although not the Cinque Terre or Portofino. You can hike over a cliff or take a boat to the 10th century abbey of San Fruttuoso. Camogli must be busier in summer than in late fall when we were there, but I believe it's mostly visited by Italians, especially on weekends.

My husband and I love Genoa and have visited or stayed there several times. I would go there just to eat pesto alla Genovese. We greatly enjoyed a food tour in Genoa with Enrica Monzani --- she is a cookbook writer and a wonderful guide: https://www.asmallkitcheningenoa.com/food-experiences/genoa-food-tour/

Enrica also booked us a tour of some large basil-growing greenhouses in the hills above Genoa: https://www.serresulmare.com/en/. You can book it yourselves, I believe. Have to take a taxi there. You'll see how basil plants are supplied to all the restaurants and grocery stores, also how they make bottled pesto.

Our favorite place to eat in Genoa is called Sa Pesta --- pretty much street food plus savory pies, but with tables and chairs. I recommend getting both of the antipasti platters.

We also loved the monumental cemetery north of Genoa (a bus goes there). Although Milan's is bigger and more fantastic.

Several nice Romanesque churches --- I remember liking the portal sculptures of San Lorenzo.

I really, really want you to go to Venice, but next time and not in the summer --- people who squeeze it in at the height of its crowding and heat tend not to enjoy it.

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