Rental Car: Milan to Cinque Terre and back

No. The train is very, very easy. If you get the right one, you will have only one change, usually at Monterosso al Mare, to the regional train serving the 5 villages. And you don't have to worry about getting lost on the way and parking the car for days while you are there. We were walking a trail above the village of Manarola last June, a trail which crossed the road that traverses the mountains above the villages. There was an intersection nearby, with signs pointing in several different directions. A car passed us going one way, then another; they would head off up one road and then turn around and come back. Finally they stopped, rolled down the windown, and asked us (in Italian) the way to Vernazza. The car had Italian plates and did not look like a rental, and they spoke very good Italian, so we assumed they were. And THEY were lost. Unfortunately we were unable to help them. I hope they got there eventually.

Thanks - I think we will indeed stick with the train - however we will be toting more luggage than usual for us... I think we may want to take the train down and get a room as a base and then ramble around... Any suggestions on the weather in December? And being able to do the trails. We were not really able to "pick" the timing of our trip as it coincides with a conference my husband is speaking at.

You asked about the weather in the CT in December. The CT is more of a 3-season destination: spring, summer, and fall. This is because the CT is a place to hike and do outdoor things, if the weather doesn't cooperate there won't be much for you to do. Many of the trails are a bit steep and if muddy may not be much fun. If you go anyway, take Lola's advice about taking the train and not driving. A rental car is more trouble than it's worth in both Milan and the CT, which are well connected by rail.

Well, I will be very sad if I do not get to see the CT -
That is one reason we booked our flight into Milan instead of Venice.... (which we are flying out of). From Milan we basically have 2 full days before we have to be in Padua (Venice) for a conference. ANY AND ALL suggestions for these 2 days will be appreciated! We have been to Florence and Pisa and also to Varenna on Como... which we adored - but wanted to see something different... HELP! :-)

The good news is: It's your trip and you get to do it the way you want, so if you want to do the CT in December, do it. Hopefully the things posted here help yhou to have realistic expectations and a better experience. And hey, it's the weather, so no one really knows--maybe the weather gods will smile on you?!

Take the train down and try to find a place to stay in Manarola. The trails from there are not as rugged and 'hung on the side of a cliff" as the ones out of Vernazza, so you'll have a better chance of being able to walk a bit. Manarola is lovely--in fact it is on the cover of National Geographic Traveler this month. Hopefully one of the hotels or B&B's there will be open in December. Try La Toretta, Marina Piccola, and Ca' d'Andrean. maybe someone can suggest others as well.

Thank you Kent and Lola - I have some hope now! We know that it will not be like the weather in a milder season - and just want to see the beauty and escape for a few days! :-)

I seem to recall that Rick includes some footage of a winter storm hitting Vernazza in his Cinque Terre show. Pretty spectacular! Heather, my son visited CT for the first time in January, several years ago when he was in college and studying in Florence. He loved it. It was very different from tourist season, and now he can't return when it is crowded. You'll have a very different experience from those who visit in summer; you might even get to talk to some locals. Dress warmly and be ready for rain, and hopefully you'll have a great time!

You say you will be in in Padua(Venice). I expect that you have spent time in La Seranissima (Venice). Now that is a different place. Do be prepared for Acqua Alta and take some rubber boots. When in Padova be sure to get into the Scrovengi Chapel. Have you asked for any guidance on the Boot board?