We are traveling to Italy in October. We fly to Milan, rent a car, and head to the Lake Region, staying in Varena on Lake Como for 2 days. Then we go to the Cinque Terre for 4 days staying in Vernazza. After that we head to Tuscany for 4 days staying at a agritourismo near San Gimignano. We end our trip with a day/night in Milan. I am second guessing our accomodations, Apartment in Vernazza (Manuelas), agritourismo, as well as if we should try to cover more territory (Venice?) Our goal is for a relaxing trip and not rushing through the days packing and unpacking every morning and night. Just needing ideas, thoughts, and any type of encouragement.
Posted by
America's Vancouver and the First
111 posts
This provides some extra info from your later post about whether to spend 4 nights in C5. It is stunningly beautiful there and 4 nights would give you time to relax. See some pictures on my blog, which is still in progress: http://kaybobdoitaly-2010.blogspot.com/). However, you might want to cut back to 3 nights and add an extra night to the agritourismo or Lake Como. If Varena, C5 and Tuscany are your hot spot priorities, I don't think you have enough time to try and add Venice or Florence into the mix and have it be relaxing. From the agritourismo, you should plan to see a maximum of 2 cities per day. Suggestion: we made the scenic drive to San Antimo Abby in time for vespers. You could go any time during the day and catch the monks singing their prayers. It was quite peaceful and serene, and a nice break from wandering through hill towns, but it is a bit of a drive - allow a half day excursion here. Also, Volterra is a really nice, lower key hill town to visit. It is a Rick Steves favorite and now, ours as well.
Posted by
OP
parker, co, usa
11 posts
Thank you. That is helpful. We might shorten our stay in 5 terre and stay the night in Florence before Tuscany. Lots to think about. Thanks for you blog link. I'll go check it out!
Posted by
Hoboken, NJ, USA
112 posts
I shuddered when you mentioned that you were going to spend 4 nights in the CT. I'm glad that you shortened it by one day.