We are taking a Gate 1 tour including Venice, Florence, Rome and ending in Sorrento, Italy on Feb. 18, 2014. We then need to get to Genoa for a cruise starting Feb. 21, 2014. What transportation would you suggest between Sorrento and Genoa? Also, except for Rome which we will be visiting after the cruise, are there any stops along the way that you would suggest? Money is a definite factor in our decision. Thank you,
Sandy
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
The most practical way to make the Sorrento/Genoa journey is by train. You will be stopping in Naples, Rome and possibly Florence or Milan along the way. You will be stopping Pisa as well. From Pisa to Genoa, you most likely will not be stopping in the Cinque Terre. However, you will whiz right through it. First, you will need to take the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Naples (1hr10min). Go upstairs at the Napoli Centrale train station and switch to the Trenitalia train for the remaining journey to Genoa. If you take the best run, it's a 6.5hr run from Naples to Genoa with one train change in Milan.
Posted by
Austin, Texas, USA
573 posts
If money is a factor and you don't have much time or luggage, I would suggest the Cinque Terre. Vernazza or Monterosso would be my first choice. Even if all you did was get off the train and walked down to the harbor in Vernazza, it would be worth it. Maybe even take the taxi boat from Vernazza to Monterosso and then get back on the train to Genoa. If you are packing light this could all be done with your carryon wheeled luggage. Counting lunch or dinner (and gelatto) , that would be a real nice 3-4 hour leisurely stroll through the heart of the CT. That's what I would do. Enjoy!!
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
In Feb, weather would be an important determinant of my decision. I'd go for cities with good museums, or other indoor activities. If you stop in Milan, the Brera and Ambrosian galleries wonderful, and you could also visit the Last Supper. You could also check la Scala schedule (as well as other venues) for performing arts.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Since money is a factor, you will want to book your Naples to Genoa ticket in advance. The Sorrento to Naples train is the Circumvesuviana, a local not run by Trenitalia, and is very cheap. But from Naples to Genoa, you will save a lot if you can book in advance on line and can commit to non-refundable, non-exchangeable tickets. Here's some advice on booking, from Ron In Rome: http://tinyurl.com/c4t693b Note that if you want to make stopovers, you must be ticketed that way. For instance, if you want to stop in Pisa, you will need to buy two separate tickets (Naples to Pisa and Pisa to Genoa).