Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice, Italy

Sep 26 - Oct 12, 2022
Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice, Italy
The crowds were large. I could stand in many places among three or more tour groups at once. In Cinque Terre, I arrived on Wednesday, September 28th. The Italian railroad reported 170,000 visitors in Cinque Terre. I don’t like crowds.

I travel to see people and how they live and lived in the past. And Art from the past and now on the street.
The best advice: Get out early in the morning before and stay later after the day crowds leave. How do you travel in between those times?
Suggestions: Be resourceful. Be ready to improvise.

Talk to everyone about what they enjoyed - locals and fellow travelers. Listen for people who like to travel as you do. Locals often have interesting choices for places to see and things to do.
Watch for Rick Steves recommendations for walks and especially those that take any effort. For most of the sites that took any effort (stairs, an incline, or distance) you find fewer people. Another key is Rick’s words “you will be richly rewarded with a magnificent or panoramic view”
Be curious about what you see. Ask questions. Afraid or uncomfortable about asking? Most people answer the questions and offer more information.
Sat, Oct 1, 2022
Above Monterosso, the Monastery & Church of the Capuchin Friars was recommended by two Canadian women in the tunnel between the new and old towns. Only a small French tour group was there. They didn’t stay long. I arrived during the Feast of St Francis service, which was beautiful regardless of what anyone believes. I asked a man wearing a sash with Italian flag colors if he was an official. He was the mayor of Monterosso. I had fun talking to him and the people who were with him. After the service, I toured the church and sat for a few minutes. Then in a hidden alcove, the monks started chanting.
Look closely. Don’t rush. Wait for something unexpected. The cemetery and other views are nearby.
Florence was crowded. Suggestion: walk away from the crowds and go to sites further away. Cross the river. Go into beautiful almost empty churches, such as Basilica de Santo Spirito, and other places. Eat with locals.

Accommodations:

Monterosso in Cinque Terre: 6 nights: Hotel Villa Adriane was clean, comfortable, and friendly.
Venice - Murano: 7 nights
Le Contrerie Hotel was recommended by our first choice hotel owner. Many rooms did NOT have advertised amenities. Only a few rooms appeared to get good reviews. Sadly the brothers who ran the hotel did not enjoy the business and their guests. I left a day early.

What I learned: TAKE HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TRUSTED TRAVELERS LIKE THE FORUM.

Florence: 2 nights: My arrival was too late for a family run hotel in Florence. So I stayed in the budget Hotel Ibis by the airport. Most of my fellow travelers were Italian. The bus transportation, the people there and local restaurants gave me a fun view into Italian life.