We will fly into Pisa September 2022. We will use the train as our mode of transportation. Our plan is to stay in Viareggio for a few days, then travel south and visit coastal cities along the train paths until we reach Rome. I am researching coastal towns to visit and La Spezia looks like a nice place. Recommendations for hotels close to the train station are welcomed.
We just want a relaxing vacation and visit cities that are not overcrowded. We are in our 70's and very active. So stairs and walking is good exercise and not a problem.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
Posted by
11647 posts
LaSpezia is the gateway city to the Cinque Terre which is very crowded. We drove directly into the Cinque Terre so did not visit La Spezia but I would be wary of crowds. Perhaps others who have been there can report on crowds.
Posted by
Irving
3315 posts
La Spezia is a port city but people like it and is a 45-minute train ride from Viareggio. Other places include Lucca (30-minutes) and Levanto (1h).
Posted by
North Carolina
2502 posts
I’ll bet you’d like Lucca a lot. The top of the wall surrounding it is a public park, and people walk and ride bikes on it (~2.5 mile circuit) while enjoying the views down into the town on one side, and the beautiful Tuscan hills on the other.
Posted by
OP
78 posts
Thank you for your input. I thought that visiting Italy in September would be a better time than the summer and less crowds.
I hope that others will reply with hotel recommendations.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1916 posts
While in Viareggio do not miss this pizza. The best I have had in Italy.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
386 posts
Viareggio is fine -- I've never stayed there because we always stay with family in Lucca, but it's a close drive away. We prefer the more upscale (kinda) Forte dei Marmi, which is the beach community just north.
My brother and his wife stayed in Porto Venere, which is close to La Spezia, and looks worthy of a visit. I have done the Cinque Terre and stayed in Riomaggiore, and it was very nice. Not sure I want to go back because I think there are more interesting and less touristy places in Italy, but if a reason arose, I'd return.
That's all north of Pisa though. Moving south . . . I haven't done Pisa to Rome along the coast, but I've done some research and this is what I've found so far:
My Tuscan mother-in-law says Livorno isn't worth a visit, but she hasn't been since 1960 so if it interests you, check for a more recent source.
My cousin thought the island of Elba was lovely but very expensive. Piombino and Punta Ala look interesting, as does Porto Ecole.
When it comes to finding a hotel, I think searching the location on Trip Advisor works best for me. I can quickly identify what I like from the pictures.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11818 posts
Porto Venere is lovely, better than La Spezia. I’d do a day trip to La Spezia perhaps. You can take a ferry from Porto Venere to the Cinque Terre if you like.
Further south look at Porto Santo Stefano for a few days. You can visit the island of Giglio.
Posted by
OP
78 posts
Thanks for the suggestions.
Posted by
Western Canada
3554 posts
I liked La Spezia.
It has a lovely walkway along the harbour that goes quite a long way with
lots of flowers and trees along it.
It's also quite good for train connections to other towns, at least we found it so.
We stayed here:
https://www.hotelfirenzecontinentale.it/en/index
However, that was in 2003.
I see it looks like it's had an upgrade since then.
We liked it as it is literally across the street from the train station.
Posted by
Irving
3315 posts
Porto Venere is lovely, better than La Spezia.
Porto Venere does not have a train station.