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Recommendation Request - 2 nights, early/ mid October

Posted by (NC, USA) on

Fingers crossed it looks like my trip will be on! I’m spending several days in Cinque Terre (Monterosso) then 3 nights in Varenna, I have 2 nights unscheduled, then spending last night at a Rome airport hotel before an early flight back to US.. I am a woman traveling solo & want to avoid really crowded areas due to COVID.

I am looking for recommendations of a town for the 2 nights. Somewhere logically accessible between Varenna and Rome (traveling primarily via train). I have previously visited Rome, Florence, and Venice so those are off the list. There are a lot of small towns that look interesting & I need to choose one!

Also interested in any recommendations for places to visit, hikes, or day trips around Cinque Terre.

Posted by
16401 posts

I would suggest Orvieto as well. Or Ravenna, although it is slightly off the route (a short detour from Bologna). The mosaics are unforgettable.

Posted by
2979 posts

Are you taking a day trip to Milan while in Varenna? The reason I ask is because it’s worth visiting and you can take a direct train to Rome from Milan. On day two I would take a day trip to Verona from Milan.
If this doesn’t interest you then my other suggestion is Siena which is delightful at night after the day trippers from Florence depart, however, getting there requires two transfers from Milan (so does Arezzo and Orvieto as others have suggested). Arezzo will take less time to get to by train from Varenna (4h 45m), Siena and Orvieto (5h 45m).

Posted by
2193 posts

I've been to Arezzo and Orvieto and I would choose Orvieto. It's a smaller town and has a lovely feel to it.

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