We are arriving at Rome airport on June 28 in the evening and planning to travel to Tuscany and hopefully Cinque Terre from there. We leave on July 4 from Florence at 5pm. I'm trying to figure out the best way to see both places. Originally we were planning to rent a car in Rome and drive to Tuscany and spend 3-4 days and then travel to Cinque Terre for a night or 2 and then back to Florence. I'm not sure if this makes sense. Appreciate the input.
Posted by
Denver
787 posts
It sounds like you have seven nights in Italy. And based on your allocation between rural Tuscany and the Cinque Terre, you aren't planning on spending any time in Rome or Florence, correct? It makes sense, if that's how you want to spend your time. If you're talking about a trip this summer, you may want to first check to make sure you can still find places to stay in the Cinque Terre; I've never been there in at the beginning of July, but it may be pretty full up then.
Definitely try to spend two nights in the Cinque Terre. Two nights means only one full day, plus some time on your arrival and departure days, so not a huge amount of time there. But still enough time to enjoy the location.
One issue is that if you plan to pick up a rental car upon your arrival into Rome, in the evening, you'll be driving with jet lag, not always the safest thing to do. And your last night, if you're flying home from Florence, should be spent in or very near Florence. So that means, if you were able to drive straight from the Rome airport to Tuscany, you could have four nights in Tuscany, two nights in the Cinque Terre, and your last night in Florence.
Some people may suggest that you do all or a part of this itinerary by train, which you can do, of course. But we've done very similar to the route you're talking about (over the course of several visits to Italy), and had a wonderful time. It will give a lot of flexibility when in Tuscany, to be able to drive around and visit different towns and villages. There is some parking in the Cinque Terre, if it's not full up. There's a lot down by the beach in Vernazza, and some of the Vernazza hotels have a small amount of parking (I know that Hotel Villa Steno does, and I would recommend the hotel, as well.). And it would be more efficient to be able to drive around Florence, then up and over to the Cinque Terre, then back to Florence.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
June
28. Arrive Rome (1 night in hotel near Termini)
29. Train to Cinque Terre (2 nights)
30. Explore CT
July
1. Train via Pisa & Lucca to Florence (3 nights)
2. Florence sights
3. Day to Siena by bus
4. Depart Florence
You could make quick stops in Pisa and Lucca on your way between Cinque Terre and Florence.
Store your bags in Pisa, visit the Leaning Tower, then on to Lucca for the afternoon, before finally making your way to Florence (via Pisa for your bags).
RE 2299
Dep 09:02 RIOMAGGIORE (Italy)
Arr 10:38 PISA CENTRALE (Italy)
RE 6761
Dep 12:20 PISA CENTRALE (Italy)
Arr 12:47 LUCCA (Italy)
RE 6834
Dep 17:42 LUCCA (Italy)
Arr 18:13 PISA CENTRALE (Italy)
Pick up luggage, then to Florence.
RE 3146
Dep 18:32 PISA CENTRALE (Italy)
Arr 19:32 FIRENZE S.M.N. (Italy)