We are in Paris in dec and were plannng to go to the CinqueTerra. We have a cheap flight from Paris to milan but dont get into Milan till 4pm. too late to travel to the CT. We have 4 days in total including the travel day to CT. After that we are heading to Nice for 7 days then Barcelona for 7 days. Is this a silly plan? or should we ditch Milan & CT and take our time going to Nice via Strasbourg/Lyon. I know its too confusing. Any advice would be helpful
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
December is not a good time to visit the CT. It's an outdoor place that is weather dependent and is pretty much shut down in December.
Posted by
OP
Melbourne
32 posts
Thankyou for that advice, that has been said to me by others. Has anyone else 'out there' been to the CT in December?
Is there anywhere else around the Milan part of Italy worth visiting?
With thanks
K
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
The average high in Milan in December is 45°F and the average low 26°F. (I looked it up.) Maybe you'd better rethink this. :)
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
The question you need to ask yourself is - Why you are going to CT and Nice? If it is to soak in the Riviera, sun and glamour, you will be sorely dissapointed. Those areas have little to offer in poor weather, a distinct possibility in December.
Barcelona will be fine as it is a big city with much to see and do. Madrid is just a 3 hour train ride from Barcelona - maybe consider adding that instead.
Posted by
OP
Melbourne
32 posts
Thankyou both for your advice. Sun and glamour are not really my thing..plenty of sun at least here. There are some famous art sites/ galleries in and around Nice that we are interested in sans crowds. Thanks again.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
In that case I'd double check that those galleries and sites are open when you will be there. December is off-season for Nice and it's possible some places close up shop then.
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1329 posts
Kathryn - If you like Renoir, his home in Cagnes sur Mer is worth seeing. He lived and worked there the last years of his life. You can get there by bus from Nice and I highly recommend it.
Posted by
OP
Melbourne
32 posts
Carmel and Douglas thankyou for the tips. Ill definitely look into Renoirs home. Merci!
Posted by
Miami Beach, fl, usa/italy
6 posts
Cinque Terre is very beautifull and it is certainly worth going there. But you have to be in good shape to walk from village to vilagge (up and down), or else is not worth. Any walking trip in Cinque Terre takes hours.
Posted by
OP
Melbourne
32 posts
Thankyou Asserato, I was under the impression that the villiages were quite close. I am now not so sure however walking is not the issue. Are the towns reliably linked by a train service...from what Ive researched this seems to be the case however in fact it may not be true.
Merci Grazi and thankyou.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Kathryn, CT is a string of very small towns with nice hikes between them and wonderful cliff views of the Med. However, in bad weather, I'm not sure what the attraction would be. An hour or so in each town is sufficient. There is train service between the towns. Nice is good in the spring and fall (perhaps summer if you don't mind hot weather). However, in the winter?? It will be cold anywhere in Europe in December, even Spain. If you want art museums, you are already going to Paris. Barcelona also has art and perhaps the best weather potential. Rather than Milan/CT, why don't you go to Rome for a week? Much to see and many museums.