Adventuregal

Hello Fellow Travelers,

I will be in Italy next week and would like your insight/knowledge on the following itinerary:

6 nights in Cinque Terre
1 night in Florence
3 nights in Lake Garda
2 nights in Florence
2 nights in Rome (or other suggestion)
1 night in florence (last night return to USA.

i need help as follows:

1)If I can do the Cinque Terre in three nights, is it possible to travel in a day to Genoa as a back to Cinque Terre, and is it worth it?

1a)what are some out of the ordinary things “hidden secrets” things to do while in the. Cinque Terre area other than the hikes through all the towns or the ferry ride view.

2)what are your suggestions for a 3 night stay at Lake Garda? Transportation-wise and and must do’s?

3) the 2 nights in Florence I want to take one of the days to visit Pisa, is that doable?

4) I am thinking of Rome for 2 night but I am open to other ideas. Maybe Siena or Livorno…

your kindness and experiential advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.🙏🏼

KayF

Six nights in Cinque Terre is too long I think. We had 4 nights, long time ago, and 3 would have been enough. The walks and the views are the main things there. If it's bad weather or some of the trails are closed, there is not much else to do.

I also would not stay in Florence on 3 separate occasions. Way too much checking in, checking out. It wastes a lot of your trip.

Traveler_Nick

Why are you bouncing back and forth from Florence?

Pisa from Florence is very easy but if you're coming from Cinque Terre you could stop in Pisa on the way to Florence. You'll likely go via Pisa .

Two nights in Rome when you're doing six in CT and three up at the a lake seems strange. Especially since you're asking for what to do at the lake. But it's your choice.

bilboburgler

5T way too long and at the busiest time in the highest temperature. Take water and a hat
Yes you can visit Genova, is it worth it.... well it is a odd mix of a large port with the remains of an independant state, some city walls and a sort of Kasbah/narrow street centre. I like the gritiness but would I leave CT or Tuscany to visit it, no.
Florence way too short
Pisa as well, no, do it as a pass by.

As Nick says, why multiple visits to Florence

wildiowa

I would spend as much time at Lake Garda as possible. Beautiful lake and area...why go to hot crowded cities. We kept extending our stay there it was so wonderful. My opinion.

bvlenci

I agree that five nights in the Cinque Terre is too much. If you want to do some hiking, three would be plenty. If not, two would be enough. There's absolutely nothing to do there if it rains.

I'm curious that you ask what to do in these places when you've already decided how much time to spend there. What sorts of things interest you? What do you normally like to do on vacation? If you enjoy art museums or fine cuisine, neither the Cinque Terre or Lake Garda would be ideal destinations. If you are an avid nature photographer, they might. If you like water sports, Lake Garda would be much better than the Cinque Terre. If you want a real beach experience, with sand and sun, I would recommend a different location altogether.

I suggest you tell us more about your interests, and that you also do a little more research about the best destinations for those interests.

You're spending a lot of money on this trip. Why would you expect strangers on the internet to advise you on where to spend it? Would you go to a public forum and say to random people, "I'm in the market for a new car. What should I get?"

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Adventuregal

I am seeking guidance on the things to do in the Cinque Terre area. Perhaps while in.Cinque Terre there are day trips I can do. I have done a lot of research on CT and I didn’t want to rush my time there. Though I hike, my goal is to take it in and explore the general area. I just want to hear from those familiar with the area if you lived in. CT what are some of the things that are doable within six days that are interesting.

After CT, the rest of the trip is flexible. I have to go go back for the one night to Florence after CT and the last night. I don’t have to do Lake Garda or Rome, I am asking your suggestions.

Traveler_Nick

It doesn't really make sense to day trip out of CT. It's not the easiest place in the world to get to or from.

If you want to day trip easier from Florence. You can do Pisa that you asked about. You can do Siena.

bilboburgler

You could visit Lucca as well

azuregirl62

Next week? I think that you should check out lodging availability immediately in the areas that interest you and let that help you plan, good luck!

ekscrunchy

Take train from 5Terre to Camogli and spend one night, or two, in Camogli.
You can then take train from Camogli to Genoa and overnight there.
There are excellent hikes from Camogli on the Portofino peninsula....and boat trips where you can have lunch at SF and return to Camogli...


https://www.welcomecamogli.it/en/tre...routes-camogli


I would NOT go to 5Terre in August but that just one person's take. If you want to hike, or take boat to from Camogli San Fruttuoso, see glorious architecture (painted buildings)..Camogli is your place and there is short train ride train to one of the Cinque Terre villages from Camogli. Oh, the hordes of folks I saw on the CT-bound train, in late September!!!! Ouch!!!!

Agree 6 nights in CT was too much.

You are going next week?
Do you have hotels booked?
Where are you flying from and where are you departing Italy from??

I think you ought to take a good look at this plan an maybe make some changes.

Also, why Lake Garda when Lake Como is easier to get to??????

Honestly, your plan needs re-thinking and, again......what are arrival and departure airports and have you bought tickets?
And where have you booked hotels--please give hotel name and location and how many days..

If you have not booked hotels you might be in a bit of a jam but sure you can find something....

Travel_Nerd

Is this the same trip you had posted threads on back in March and April?

No offense, but, asking for last minute itinerary AND what you should do/see is sort of is on you. Especially since many of us tried to get info out of you about your interests back then as well as assisting with a framework.

bvlenci

I have never been to the Cinque Terre in August, and I (along with Ekscrunchy) would never go there at that time of the year. I've been there twice in low season, and it was horribly crowded even then. I only went back the second time because we were with friends who wanted to go there.
​​​​​​This is what the streets are like when the day trippers (and cruisers) arrive.




It's almost impossible to get on a train to go anywhere else because of the crowds. You can avoid the crowds by hiking on the higher trails, where day trippers rarely go. Or you can sit on the terrace of your hotel reading a book until they leave in the late afternoon.

You ask for advice from people who live there. Very few people live there. There are five towns in the Cinque Terre and the total population of all five towns together is about 3000. A lot of people work there and live elsewhere. Those who live there mostly manage hotels and restaurants, and work 12 hours a day. When they have time off they go as far away as possible.

I'm curious about where you did the research. Was it a very old book?



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janisj

Honestly, I would spend NO days in the CT in August. It will be extremely crowded, and likely uncomfortabley hot. Plus the CT is not a base for exploring anywhere else. Your six nights IMO is six nights too many

Also - three short stays in Florence makes almost no sense

Your whole plan stumps me --

Jean

You are quite late in questioning your itinerary and asking for comments.

August 15th is Ferragosto, the biggest holiday of the summer. Workers get the day off, and vacationing Italians will increase the crowds in all of your destinations for most if not the entire week and perhaps into the next week. And the Siena Palio will be held on August 16th which will make Siena crazy crowded.

Do you have lodging booked per your itinerary? You'd probably have no trouble/penalty if you shortened your stay in the Cinque Terre, but finding or changing lodging elsewhere in places like Lake Garda, Lake Como, Siena, etc., could be very difficult if not impossible.