Venice or Cinque Terre

Venice. It's unlike any other city in the world. You need to see it.

To me, Venice has become a postcard style Disney World with water. My vote goes to the natural beauty of the CT region.

This is really a tough question. I agree that Venice is unlike any city in the world but in this case I think you may be better off in CT. Partly due to geographic reasons you are already at the area around CT - it is not too far from Milan or Florence. Second, if budget is a concern at all then CT will be cheaper to get to and stay. Also 2 nights in CT is a nice amount of time. With travel time to & from Venice 2 nights may feel a bit time limited. With that said you will not go wrong with either location - I think they are both wonderful and Venice is one of my favorites.

The side trip to Pisa and Lucca is a nice idea. Lucca is worth a stop but it is not on the top of my lists to go see again. Pisa is a fairly short trip from CT - I did it in about an hour or so of driving time and it was well worth the time.

As has already been said, this is an extremely difficult question. Each one is unique, in its own way. If I were you, I would figure out how you'd like to spend that time, since the two are so incredibly different from one another. (If you need additional information on what each offers, just ask.)

Tough choice Kate. We spent 21 days in Italy this May, moving all around. You just named our two favorite spots, although Siena is a close third. Given the rest of your itinerary, Cinque Terre seems like a better fit for two reasons. One it will save considerable travel time. Also, with all the bigger stops, filled with "things to do and see", a place like Vernazza will offer a wonderful change of pace. Sitting by the sea wall in the evening with a bottle of wine, some of the most remarkable hiking trails in the world, the freshest sea food we found in Italy. Don't get me wrong, we absolutely loved Venice, but for this trip trying to fit it in is logisitically difficult. Maybe, save it for your next trip to Italy. You will be back. The country does that to us! Have fun. Looks like a great itinerary.

CT is a nice place.

Venice is magic. If you haven't been, you really need to visit.

CT, Venice is crowded and expensive, we felt our two day visit was one day too long in Venice.

Considering the amount of moving you are already doing - I'd do CT. Personally, Venice is a not to be missed spot in my book - and CT is not my style - but if you haven't been there - go. Most people love it.

I would say CT.
Geographically, you are going to be much closer to CT, and with only 2 nights, it isn't worth the extra travel time.

Save Venice for another trip. I agree that it is magic, and it is one of my favorite places in the world, but you'll get more out of it if you have a little more time.

I'm not sure how your calendar falls, but the first Sunday in September is the day of the Historical Regatta in Venice. We happened to be there for it in 2003 and it will long be one of my highlights. There is a parade of historic boats along the Grand Canal followed by gondola races by the locals, everyone from kids to old folks participating (grouped by age and gender, if I recall correctly).

I would always choose Venice, but given your travel plans CT makes more sense logistically. Be sure to take in Venice someday.

Logistically, the Cinque Terra makes more sense. In 2 days you will be able to do all the hikes. Venice is fabulous and deserves a week to really see it. I lived in Chioggia (50km south of Venice) for several years and have been there many, many times and still return occasionally. The people who don't like Venice are those who don't spend enough time there. If you are there for only a short time and must see everything while the day trippers (9:00 to 5:00 crowds) are there you won't enjoy it. Stay away from the tourist sites during the day and explore the rest of the city and the islands. Then savor Piazza San Marco in the evening. There is a big difference having a drink in the square relaxing with 100 others as opposed to being there during the day when 5000 people are crowding it.

Kate you should totally go to Venice... O well, but if you want to save that with your bf later, you should go to CT then. Tell me how Italy is after you get back, so when I go there in Oct., I will be more prepared! Yeah~~ I am making the the posters for you to show in Siena now. Have Fun!

Hi, Just returned from Italy. I would highly recommend you do CT on this trip. It just fits in better with your itinerary. Venice is beautiful but I really think you need two full days there, preferably three if you want to do a trip over to murano to see the glassworks. Save Venice for another trip - you have to assume you will be back, someday! CT was probably one of my favorite spots on our trip. I just loved it and wished we'd had another day there. Use the RS recommendation of Edi's rooms and stay in Riomaggiore, it's a beautiful spot. Good luck. Sounds like a great trip.

Travel times actually aren't all that different. It will take about a half hour longer to get from Milan to CT than Milan to Venice (assume you'll go through Milan coming from Switzerland) and about an hour longer to get from Venice to Siena than from CT to Siena. Both places are great, so I say base your decision on what activities interest you the most. Venice offers amazing history, atmosphere and museums. CT is very relaxing and gives you the Pisa/Lucca option. Either destination will be an excellent choice.

That is an impossible question to answer. There are two spots in this world that are at the top of our list ... Venice and Cinque Terre. How to decide between the top two????

Thank you all for your responses. As many of you have said, this is a very difficult choice. We are leaning toward Venice at this point because we will be in the lake area relaxing just before this point of our trip and so may be ready for the change in pace that Venice offers. Next step is to look more closely at the train schedule.

Depends on your interests. Venice is crowded and touristy. CT is uncrowded and provincial. Slow paced and impressive to me.

Hiking the trail is a fun and unique experience. You can hike as much of it as you choose. Doing the whole trail can take as much as five days.

Each of the five villages in Cinque Terre National Park is different and worth visiting. The waterfront in each village is also worth seeing.

You can see the entire National Park in two or three days. You will find Venice much like any other Italian town you have visited.

Go there only if you have time.

The previous posters have made excellent points, the most important one, IMO, being what interests you. Nothing cultural in the CT. I have to take exception, however, to the reply that described the CT as uncrowded and untouristy. In late August? Surely he's joking, or maybe he's thinking of it 15 years ago. As to Venice, expensive, yes. Crowded, yes. But . . . of great historical interest and possessing marvelous art and architecture. If you opt for Venice, research carefully the info on this site about lodgings and restaurants, especially the latter. Venice is infamous for restaurants that goudge the tourists.

well, venice is cool, but i thought it was a bit overrated. Honestly i think it depends on the type of person you are. Do you like to hike? the cinque terra has some of the most amazing hikes i have ever taken. make no mistake, venice is an amzing place and should be seen, but the CT is much more relaxing. Venice is very crowded (this was in May) and is easy to get lost in (this is fun initially, but 3 hours later when you still can't figure out where you are...). I would really suggest the CT. The people are very nice and the scenery is magnificent. I would go back the CT in a heartbeat, where as i don;t really feel the need to revisit venice.