HI Italy travelers, My husband & I (in our 30's) are traveling with my parents to a wedding in Santa Margherita this September. We will be there about 4 days before the wedding (staying in town), and we would like to stay in Italy about a week after. Trying to decide the best options. We have all been to Italy before, but not this area. I'm trying to plan something fun, interesting, but not too much travel & or too physical. Does it make sense to stay in Santa Margherita the entire 10 days / two weeks & just do side trips, or should we move on?? Opinions please???
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
For starters, is it Santa Margarita Ligure or one of the eight bazillion other Santa Margaritas in Italy?
Posted by
Cupertino
11 posts
My wife and I loved Santa Margherita, but I think 4 days would be enough time in that area (side trips to Portofino and the Cinque Terre). Then you need to make a decision to either go South towards Rome and the Amalfi Coast, East into Tuscany and Umbria or North into the Lakes region (we also loved bellagio on Lake Como). FYI, when we left Como, we caught the train and went to Zurich for a few days, and flew home from Zurich. Absolutely beautiful train ride from Como to Zurich.
Posted by
Saint Helens, OR, USA
304 posts
Besides going to the obvious, the nearby Cinque Terre, if you have a car you might try driving thru the Lunigiana or Mazza areas. It's the mountainous area east and southeast of Liguria. There are dozens of castles spread out over those areas. It requires a little advance research though to locate them.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
17 posts
Yes, it is Santa Margarita Ligure - next to Portofino.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
17 posts
And thank you for your thoughts & suggestions! All of these ideas are most appreciated. Of course, I'm in my busiest time of the year (work-wise) so I don't have a ton of extra time to plan this trip, as carefully as I would like!!
Posted by
Costa Mesa
348 posts
I agree with John, we stayed in santa margherita and enjoyed the staywith a walk to protofino one day and cinque terrs another. But I would go to one or twp other locations for the either the lakes and Venice or Rome and Amalfi or Florence and Tuscany. Since you been before do something you have not done before
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
From Santa Marherita, consider taking day trips to Portovenere, Camogli, Portofino, and of course the CT.
I recommend Lake Como after the Italian Riveria; the mid-lake region; Varenna, Bellagio, etc. Lake Como is very relaxing and beautiful and your parents can go at a slower pace if necessary.
I like the idea of going into Switzerland from Lake Como & departing from there. Switzerland is also very pretty. Have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
17 posts
Thanks, everyone! I appreciate your comments!!
Posted by
Moss Beach, CA, United States
1 posts
We just returned from our first trip to Europe(May,2010). We stayed two nights in Santa Margharita and loved it.
On our only full day we took the little bus over to Portofino and walked the great trails above the town - up to the castle, over to the church above the sea and out to the lighthouse. LOVED IT!
P.S. Better to stay in S. Marg. than in Portofino, bigger and less tourists.
Posted by
Richmond, Ky, USA
277 posts
The trains are too convienient to stay in San M the entire time. I woujld also suggest Varenna, and some other places in northern Tuscany. There are many accesible places from San M. Enjoy your time! Caio. Jeff