Hi, we will be travelling from Sorrento to Lake Como. Upon leaving Sorrento we will have 4 nights before we need to arrive in Varenna. We were thinking of staying on the Cinque Terre or elsewhere on the Riveria, my question is will this will be too time consuming and difficult with only 4 nights. I am now thinking maybe breaking up the journey with a stay in Tuscany ?? open to suggestions ! We are open to hiring a car for part of the journey and worth mentioning we do not need to consider stopping in Rome.
Thanks!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32384 posts
The first question to answer is where you would rather spend the four days..... the Cinque Terre or Tuscany? What time of year will this trip be taking place?
It wouldn't be too difficult to get from Sorrento to the Cinque Terre. The onward trip to Varenna is also quite easy from there. Four nights might be a bit "long" however if you use the CT as a home base and take a few day trips, it should be perfect. Have you decided which of the five towns you would prefer to stay in? Everyone here has a personal favourite and my preference is definitely Monterosso.
I don't think it's necessary to hire a car. Take the Circumvesuviana or Campania Express from Sorrento to Naples and then travel via high speed trains to Rome and on to the CT. If you want more specific train information, post another note here.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7919 posts
Hi Kristin, since you already have two water locations, I would choose your four extra days in a place other than Cinque Terre. Can you describe what you like to do during a vacation day (other than water activities) to give us a better idea for suggestions? Also, which month will this be?
(I’ve been to Italy seven times and always just travel by train, so there’s lots of options without a car, too.)
Posted by
OP
Northern Beaches, Sydney AUS
12 posts
Ok love this forum. We will be traveling June/July.
We will be leaving Sorrento (after staying 5 nights) at the very end of July.
My sister will be in Lake Como on the 3rd July for 4 nights so we have decided to meet her there.
This leaves us four nights between Sorrento and Lake Como (Rome already done).
After Lake Como we are off to Castelrotto for 4 nights then finishing in Venice.
We have never been to Florence or any of the Tuscan hill towns so another option is to base ourselves in Florence or near and explore that area for the 4 nights but will it be too hot?? or am I overthinking it regarding the weather? I think the problem is we can't do it all!!
Yes we are water lovers but also love to sightsee and explore different regions along the way. We love history. Besides swimming/water activities we LOVE e-bike tours.
Any assistance with train information appreciated. I have been looking at the ItaliaRail website and this seems fairly easy to use.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7272 posts
ItaliaRail is a 3rd party reseller
Use the official train company sites
Trenitalia -fast trains and regional trains
https://www.trenitalia.com/content/tcom/en.html
ItaloTreno-fast trains
https://www.italotreno.it/en
Both have easy to use apps
Sign up for ItaloTreno newsletter to get their discount codes
More info on using trains in Italy
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-italy.htm
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7919 posts
You can rent ebikes in Montepulciano. Or the Emilia-Romagna area is popular for biking because it’s fairly flat (and has fantastic food!). If you decide on Florence, there are many options for things to do in the city and also day trips. I am at Amalfi right now but will be sharing a trip report within a couple of weeks that might give you additional ideas, such as the city bike tour we did in Florence.
Posted by
Calgary, AB
155 posts
To plan my trips, I use Google maps, typing in origin & destination and then selecting train then selecting a day and time. I find that it gives you a good indication of options with trains and buses. Then later I will decide whether to buy tickets in advance or at the station. The links given by previous responders are all useful.
I would be tempted to stop in Florence as along with lots to see and do there, there are a number of day trips you could do. Temperature could be hot when you’re going which is why we travel Sep/Oct plus not quite as crowded.
In October, I’m going by train Rome to Orvieto, then by train Bologna to Varenna. Stresa, Kastelruth, & Rome. This may not be the optimum route but I will have 3 nights in each town. No rental car this trip.
Posted by
OP
Northern Beaches, Sydney AUS
12 posts
Thank you to everyone for your replies and for the useful train links, these are great, thanks. I will keep an eye out for your trip report Jean, enjoy your trip. We have now 5 nights after we leave Sorrento so will spend 2-3 nights in Florence and 2-3 in Cinque Terre or and I can get my dose of Florence history :) .