We will be in Provence for a couple of weeks in October and would like to do a quick trip into the Cinque Terre during that time. We will have a car and are wondering if we should drive or train? If you've driven this route could you let us know road conditions and travel time?
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I doubt there is such a thing as a "quick trip" to the CT from Provence, though perhaps there's a flight from Marseilles to Milan that could save you some time. Driving is probably faster than the train.
Posted by
OP
Bellingham, WA, USA
7 posts
Right. We're wandering south and east from Paris and have no set itinerary. I'm a high school French teacher who has done 5 bus/train tours of France with students and am finally getting the opportunity to travel with no schedule and no responsibiities. For obvious reasons my primary interest is in France, but we've heard so much about the Cinque Terre (and those hikes look wonderful), so we thought we might side trip there if it's reasonably feasible. We'll definitely spend several days in Provence and probably on the Cote d'Azur as well. We can be or leave from anywhere we want. We're focusing on the journey as well as the destinations, so would prefer to drive.
Thanks for your help!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Sandy: Driving time from Arles (in Provence) to Vernazza in the CT is 5hr45min not including stops, that's one way, approx 340 miles one way. If you start from Nice in the Riviera, instead of Arles, it's 3hr40min to Vernazza, 180 miles one way.
Posted by
OP
Bellingham, WA, USA
7 posts
Many thanks for your help.
Posted by
COCONUT CREEK, CARENCRO, FL., LA., USA
152 posts
My husband and I drove most of that route several years ago. The highway drive was very easy. When we got off the main highway and to the smaller towns we often left the car at the outskirts and walked in. We took a local train into Cinque Terre hoping to hike, but it was much too hot and crowded. October should be very nice.
We flew into Genoa, a great small airport and drove to a small town out of the Cinque Terre area. We also drove to Ventimiglia where we stayed in a great place. The balcony overlooked the water from two miles up. It was on the border and we could see the beautiful lights everynight. We could also see Monte Carlo. The food was wonderful. We stayed two extra nights! Hotel Ventimiglia La Riserva Castel Appio.