We are spending two weeks in Italy- the first week in Tuscany and I am unsure of where to head for the second week. Would recommendations be to head south towards Rome or north towards Venice and Lake Como. I have heard Cinque Terra is fabulous. Would it be too ambitious to go to Venice, then Rome and end in Cinque Terre?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The best responses will depend on when you will be there and what you enjoy doing.
Posted by
Oakdale, CA, USA
38 posts
It would help if we knew where you are flying into and out of so you don't spend time backtracking. I am flying into Venice for a few days, then taking the train to Florence and to see a few of the Tuscan hilltop towns. You could take a bus or train from Florence over to Cinque Terra for a couple of days. But if you are going to Rome, you would have to get back to Florence first to catch a high speed train. You could get an open jaw ticket to fly out of Rome rather than back tracking to Venice. I am skipping Cinque Terra and Rome this trip and taking the train to Naples after Tuscany. From there I am visiting the Amalfi coast, and then flying home from Naples on an open jaw ticket. You need to study a good map and keep going in one direction if you don't want to spend all your time traveling. Happy planning!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Catherine, As the previous replies mentioned, it would help to have some further information. Will you be returning home right after the second week, and if so which airport will you be using? There's always a bit of debate here on the HelpLine on whether Le Cinque Terre is "fabulous". Some really like that area, while others find it too touristy and crowded. Whether to visit there will depend on what type of "travel experience" you want at that point in your trip? I'm definitely one that likes that area. I'll be returning again this year and really looking forward to spending more time there! You might enjoy watching This Short Video, which is a "trailer" for an upcoming movie on the area. It focuses mainly on Vernazza (one of the five towns), but shows a bit of what the area is like. One point to note is that two of the villages suffered damage in flooding last fall, but repairs were completed over the winter and they're both open again for the season. It will take a bit longer for Vernazza to completely return to normal. WHERE in Tuscany will you be spending the first week? It's usually a fairly easy trip from Tuscany to the Cinque Terre. For example, you could start in Florence, spend a few days in the C.T. and then travel to Rome. It's a very easy trip from La Spezia (C.T.) to Rome (about 3H:45M via direct train). Happy travels!