LaurenP

My husband and I are returning to Italy and would love to do some combination of Bellgio the Cinque Terre (or maybe Portofino) and Tuscany. We have been to Bellagio before and plan to do 3-4 nights there but I am struggling with the rest of the itinerary. We have also been to Florence so we are more interested in other areas of Tuscany (but very overwhlemed with the number of options). The last time we were in Italy we took trains everywhere but I'm not sure if that's possible to do in Tuscany - can someone advise? Total nights are 8-9. We will definitely start in Bellagio (coming from Venice) and then we fly out of Rome. Any help would be appreciated! We are mostly interested in eating, drinking, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery (not much sightseeing this time around). Thanks!

qwovadis

Doable from Venice

moght consider also www.sirmione.com Garda Hotel Eden en route

Beautiful Castle Terme Roman Villa then

www.villaserbelloni.com/Bellagio/en Residence U'livo there

great for me in the past from 120 euro or so

then down to Porofino/Cinqueterre

www.metropole.it best for me 120 euro 1 block from

SML/Portofino train station at the ferry dock to all

cinqueterre.com villages.

I would probably stop there in 9 days but

www.lucca.info my fav in Tuscany hike bike city walls

couple of hours further...

www.trenitalia.it just hop regional or fast trains based

on budget stay flexible...

Have fun!

qwovadis

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Jean

What time of year is this trip?

I'd probably choose two out of three destinations and not try to do all. But that's me.

If Tuscany stays in the mix and with only a couple of days to work with, you need to decide whether to base in northern or southern Tuscany based on what/where you want to explore.

Bougainvillea

Bellagio and Portofino are two of my favorite destinations. If it were me, that would be my choice.

zeppole

Without knowing when you are traveling, it is really hard to advise but if you are planning 3 or 4 nights Bellagio, I don't see how you could possibly make it to Rome having seen anything of the Italian Riviera and the Tuscan countryside without renting a car.

If you have been to Bellagio and loved it, perhaps you have a very high tolerance for resort tourist/shopping destinations. Be advised nonetheless that Portofino is that, squared, with non-stop cruise ship tour groups. If you want some options to get away from that, and visit le Cinque Terre as well, consider Santa Margherita Ligure.

If you travel by train, it will take you most an entire day to get from Bellagio to Portofino -- ferry to Varenna, or Como, train to Milan, train to Santa Margherita Ligure, bus or ferry to Portofino. Driving would be less time, and you could stop for lunch on the way. If you are not absolutely stuck on Portofino, consider Lerici. Stop on your way in Parma for lunch.

If you end up in Portofino without a car, it would be best to rent a car in Rapallo and start heading for Rome. There are scenic routes you can take up through San Gimignano, and then head over to landscapes south of Siena (Montalcino, Pienza). Drop off the car in Chiusi or Orvieto and head to Rome for your final night.

Someplace like Locanda Dell'Amorosa might work for you as a Tuscan relaxation spot if you prefer high-end, but there are many cheaper options, just as charming.

If you are traveling in off-season months between November and March, heading to the Riviera is not something you should book in advance. Only book once you are in Italy and can look at weather forecasts. Even Tuscany is problematic in that time frame at higher elevations -- and of course you will freeze in Bellagio.

LaurenP

Thank you for the responses. It will be end of May/ beginning of June when we go. I am OK with doing either Tuscany or the Italian riviera if there isn't enough time for both. I would not want to stay in Portofino but rather Santa Margherita Ligure or vernazza or Monterosso. Any opinions on these? Is it very crowded in the CT at that time of year? As far as Tuscany goes it seems like a car is a must. Any recommendations on northern or southern Tuscany?

LaurenP

Zeppole - Locanda Dell Amorosa looks amazing! Definitely what I had imagined for Tuscany.

zeppole

If you are willing to skip a destination, I would forego the Italian Riviera in May. For such a short stay, you could be unlucky with Spring rains -- summer doesn't commence on the Riviera until June 22, weather-wise -- and those rains can be significant, obliterating views and pretty much canceling out any reason for being there. Last year in May hiking trails in le Cinque Terre were closed due to heavy rains and fear of mudslides. In towns like Monterosso al Mare or Vernazza there is absolutely nothing to do when it rains. In Santa Margherita Ligure, you can shop or visit Genova. (Of course if it is sunny it is glorious, but it is easier to be sure of nabbing sunshine if you stay more than 2 nights.)

While Tuscany is also nicer in the sunshine, it keeps more of its interest even in the rain, and having a car means you can get to indoor sights of tremendous interest, in particular the sights of Siena and Arezzo. In the general area south of Siena (all the way to the end of the Tuscan border), not having a car pretty much means staying put. With a car, you would be able to explore the famous farm country and the myriad villages in the region on your own timetable if you've had your fill of relaxing at wherever you pick to stay. South of Siena in Tuscany generally gets less rainfall than areas in northern Tuscany like Lucca and even Chianti.

LaurenP

I think the current itinerary is

Paris (4 nights)
Venice (2 nights)
Bellagio (4 nights)
Tuscany (5 nights)
Rome (1 night before flight next morning)

Flights to Paris, Venice and out of Rome are set. How is Lake Como weather at the end of May? When we went last September we had rain every day and I am hoping for some nicer weather this time around.

I am still not sure how I will break up the 5 days in Tuscany. How far is SML from Bellagio? Where would I rent a car from there to head south to let's say Siena and then drop off before Rome? I could also go from Bellagio to Florence for a few nights and then south. Where would I rent a car near Florence? I have done Bellagio-Florence by train so I am familiar with that.

bobthenavigator

Stopping at SML or Portovenere makes good sense in transition to Tuscany. I would get the car in the city of Como---keep it until after Tuscany---and drop it in Orvieto, or at FCO if you spend your last nite at the airport.

zeppole

If you go all the way over to the Mediterranean on your way from Lago di Como to southern Tuscany, you should plan to spend the night. Don't just do it as lunch destination.

Driving to Santa Margherita Ligure from Como is a pain. Head for Lerici instead or -- if you don't mind cruise ship sensibilty -- Portovenere. You'll then also have an easier drive the next day into Tuscany.

You originally said you were more interested in relaxing than sightseeing, so I don't know why you want to "break up" your Tuscan stay. You certainly don't need a transition from 4 days of relaxing at the lake to 5 days of relaxing in Tuscany. Which of these plans appeals to you more:

a) Drive 3 hours to the coast and spend a night, then get up the next day and drive about 3 hours more to a Tuscan lodging.

b) Drive 2 hours from Lago di Como to lunch in Parma, and then after lunch drive another two hours to your Tuscan accommodation?

c) Take a train to Florence, rent a car, drive an hour to a lodging in the countryside.

LaurenP

I tried to book Locanda Dell Amorosa for 5 nights but could only get it for the last 4. I'm not sure what to do with the 1 night between Lake Como and Sinalunga. I have considered Florence but we have been there so prefer a city we have not seen. Any ideas for somewhere between Como and Sinalunga? I would love to do SML for the night but seems like it isn't the best option in terms of logistics.

zeppole

Again, if you want the Riviera, Portovenere or Lerici can be a more comfortable trek.

Personally, I find a Parma a perfect gem of a small Italian art city, with great food, beautiful architecture in a car-free center, high-quality shopping, perfumes, music...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...a_Romagna.html

I will also point out that there a many places other than Locanda dell'Amorosa in the same area that might be able to accommodate your dates. Like this:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...o_Tuscany.html


and this place looks nice, but I can't find any reviews of it

http://www.tenutafriggialiepietranera.it/

Likewise, this place just opened this month (so I would imagine rates are good)

http://www.travelintelligence.com/lu...uty-farm-hotel