27 Days in Italy

Old Apr 11th, 2016, 11:18 AM
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27 Days in Italy

My Family and I are planning to spend the month of August in Italy, our itinerary is as follows:

July 30 Fly into Rome
July 31 Fly/train ? to Pisa
July 31- Aug 2 - Pisa
Aug 2 -5 train to La Spezia visit Cinque Terre
There not sure how to travel through the 5 cities Is by bus or train or a tour ?
Aug 5 Cinque Terre to Milan by Train.
Aug. 6 - 20 - 15 days Tours with Go Ahead Tours
City to visit are Milan, Como Lakes, Venice, Florence, Assisi, Sorrento, Rome
Aug 20-22 Explore Rome
Aug 22 Fly/Train to Palermo
Aug 22- 26 Explore around Palermo
Aug 26 fly/train to Rome
Aug 27 Fly home

Does this look like too much to do or is there better place we should visit, it's my husband, my son who is 14 and I travelling, we like to visit museums but not every day, we enjoy the beach and also like to just walk around and take in the town. While we are on our own the first and last week we are looking at staying in Airbnbs. I would welcome any tips you have to offer.
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Old Apr 11th, 2016, 11:34 AM
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Drop Palermo--too far!
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Old Apr 11th, 2016, 11:59 AM
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Regarding Cinque Terre. The 5 villages (they are definitely not cities) are best connected by train and trails, and at time during the year, also by boat. It is a short train ride between the villages. You can pick up the train in La Spezia.

There are a number of hiking trails, the most famous is the Sentiero Azzurro. The trails vary in difficulty and can be closed due to trail damage (especially parts of the Sentiero Azzuro).

You would not need a tour for Cinque Terre portion but be advised that it is liable to be very crowded in August.
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Old Apr 11th, 2016, 12:10 PM
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Second the suggestion of dropping Palermo. Although it will be hot and crowded, I'd suggest Naples instead, which is IMO one of the most interesting cities in Italy with lots to do, including Pompeii and Herculaneum.
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Old Apr 11th, 2016, 12:19 PM
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Rome to Pisa you'll take a train, Roma Termini to Pisa Centrale. You can buy tickets here after June 12:

http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

Tickets for regional trains, not purchasable online, can be had at ticket windows or Trenitalia machines. These are undated, need to be validated before boarding.
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Old Apr 11th, 2016, 12:24 PM
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You may enjoy taking an overnight trains between Rome and Sicilly one way or both ways - your son may find it a real experience. Most of your other trains are regional trains you best buy tickets for once there - but long-distance trains you can get a nifty discount by booking way way early (but in stone!) at www.trenitalia.com.

You are not taking enough trains to even merit looking at railpasses.

For lots about trains and night trains in general check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

why Pisa for 3 days - if as a base that's fine - one day for Pisa - another for Lucca and maybe a coastal stop - I've stayed in Viareggion often - neat seaside town near Pisa, a city that is nice but not spectacular like ancient Lucca or perhaps a thriving seaside resort.

I would stay a few days right in Florence rather than day-tripping in - amazing city that has to be seen.
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Old Apr 11th, 2016, 01:54 PM
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There not sure how to travel through the 5 cities Is by bus or train or a tour?

local milk trains stop at each of the 5 Lands as the train rolls thru mainly tunnels along the coast. No bus service because vehicles cannot physically be driven along the rugged coast. In season boats also link the 5 villages.

but most folks come here to hike the well-beaten trail between the 5 villages - about 7 miles all told - I did it in a day but many like to break it up.

Note that at that time of year the 5 Terre will be totally mobbed with tourists - elbow to elbow in some little towns. I would rethink a stay of some days here and actually you could day trip in from Pisa easily for a day and take trains, boats or walk between the 5 villages. If staying here book NOW!

I'd consider doing some Tuscany hill towns as day trips from Florence by bus or train as a substitute for the hopelessly mobbed Cinque Terre - but do a day trip in just to see the area and walk between a village or two.

And be sure to book a visiting time for the Leaning Tower unless you want to wait hours in line in Pisa to climb it - if climbing it that is.
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Old Apr 13th, 2016, 05:38 AM
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freddy1978

stop advertising your website in every posting you make
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