We have read that Venice to CT via Milan is longer but with fewer connections to make as compared to Venice to CT via Florence. But is either route more scenic than the other? Our trip will include a week in Tuscany/Umbria and parts south, but we won't be traveling in the northern part of Italy. Any opinions or advice about which route would be best? Thank you!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16240 posts
If you are in Tuscany for a week and you don't plan to go to the north, why are you asking about Venice to Cinque Terre? Venice is in the north.
What is your itinerary you have at the moment? We can give you better advice if we know where you plan to go.
Cinque Terre is closer to Tuscany than to Venice.
Posted by
Massachusetts
715 posts
I recently travelled the Milano To Vernazza route and it was scenic enough, but nothing extraordinary.
If you go via Firenze you will discover that about 80% of the Bologna - Firenze leg is in a tunnel. Again, Firenze to La Spezia to Cinque Terre is scenic, it is Italy after all, but not overwhelming so.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Thanks for the replies. JKevin, that's great info. Roberto, my point was that beyond Venice and CT, we will not be exploring other parts of northern Italy, i.e. the lake region, Dolomites, Verona, etc. from CT we will be traveling south. I was wondering if the train ride via Milan would provide different/interesting kinds of scenery of that area.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
In my recollection, neither the scenery on the Milan route or Florence route is anything spectacular. It seems to be mostly rural areas interspersed with small towns. However, I tend to prefer the route through Florence as the scenery seems a bit better and the towns are spread a bit further apart. One other factor for me is that I tend to prefer changing trains in Firenze SMN rather than Milano Centrale.
I often choose rail trips based on total travel time and number of changes. That trip is going to take the better part of day anyway (5 - 6 hours), so you'll have to decide whether travel time or slight differences in scenery are more important.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I don't recall much difference in scenery; both routes include high-traffic corridors. The route to Milan briefly passes Lake Garda. Choose the departure time that best fits for you, and probably also with the fewest connections. How to Look Up Train Schedules Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16240 posts
If you are coming from Rome it's easier if you do the Cinque Terre after Rome and before Tuscany.