Cinque Terre To Amalfi help!
May 10th, 2017, 05:11 PM
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Cinque Terre To Amalfi help!
Hi,
My husband and I just got clearance from our babysitter (thanks mom) to watch our kids to go to Italy for our 10 year anniversary at the end of June. We went to Italy 7 years ago and did Rome-Florence-Venice-Paris in two weeks. For this trip I really wanted to go to both Cinque Terre and Amalfi since we have already done the major sites in the above cities and not sure when we will be able to go back seeing as it has taken us 7 years already!
Im finding it hard to figure out where to fly in and out of and how many days/nights to stay in each place. And also where to stop on the way down from the CT. to AC. We will have probably 9/10 days- I know I'm so late in the game to this and it will be touristy and hot, but we live in florida so were used to it
I don't mind stopping in one place on the way down for a day or two, I know the trip is about 7 hours straight.
Im thinking of flying into Milan- train to cinque terre, staying for a few days there- (How long do we need? We are walkers and like to walk everywhere when on vacation- my husband isn't into laying on the beach for more than a day- we need things to do) then training it down and stopping somewhere- suggestions needed- and then taking another train to Amalfi staying a couple days- head up to Rome and fly home from there.
Is this realistic if we don't need to stop and see the main attractions in the big cities?
Last time we went I had 0 kids and 3 months to plan, this time is way different so any suggestions would be great, thanks!!!
Sam
My husband and I just got clearance from our babysitter (thanks mom) to watch our kids to go to Italy for our 10 year anniversary at the end of June. We went to Italy 7 years ago and did Rome-Florence-Venice-Paris in two weeks. For this trip I really wanted to go to both Cinque Terre and Amalfi since we have already done the major sites in the above cities and not sure when we will be able to go back seeing as it has taken us 7 years already!
Im finding it hard to figure out where to fly in and out of and how many days/nights to stay in each place. And also where to stop on the way down from the CT. to AC. We will have probably 9/10 days- I know I'm so late in the game to this and it will be touristy and hot, but we live in florida so were used to it
I don't mind stopping in one place on the way down for a day or two, I know the trip is about 7 hours straight.
Im thinking of flying into Milan- train to cinque terre, staying for a few days there- (How long do we need? We are walkers and like to walk everywhere when on vacation- my husband isn't into laying on the beach for more than a day- we need things to do) then training it down and stopping somewhere- suggestions needed- and then taking another train to Amalfi staying a couple days- head up to Rome and fly home from there.
Is this realistic if we don't need to stop and see the main attractions in the big cities?
Last time we went I had 0 kids and 3 months to plan, this time is way different so any suggestions would be great, thanks!!!
Sam
May 10th, 2017, 05:30 PM
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Try to fly home from Naples after the AC or fly into Naples and start with the AC.
Do you really want to do two coastal areas? What about one or more of the lakes?
Bring something really special back to your wonderful Mom. Then take her out just you and her for lunch. That is a very loving, self sacrificing gift she is giving to you!
Do you really want to do two coastal areas? What about one or more of the lakes?
Bring something really special back to your wonderful Mom. Then take her out just you and her for lunch. That is a very loving, self sacrificing gift she is giving to you!
May 10th, 2017, 06:00 PM
#3
"... it will be touristy and hot, but we live in florida so were used to it."
So, does that mean you'll enjoy the Disneyland-level crowds too? A couple of summer pics from the CT:
http://www.italianinsider.it/sites/d...ticg2r2uum.jpg
http://www.repstatic.it/content/loca...0c29b604a5.jpg
There is no "train to Amalfi," so you need to decide where you're going to stay and then figure out the best way to get there. For example, Positano is closer to Sorrento, and Amalfi is closer to Salerno. From either, you bus or ferry to towns on the Amalfi Coast.
If you want to stick to the water theme, you could stop at Bracciano on the lake of the same name (north of Rome) or Castel Gandolfo on Lake Albano (south of Rome) on the way south. Both have train service. Otherwise, you need to give more info on the type of stop you'd like to make.
So, does that mean you'll enjoy the Disneyland-level crowds too? A couple of summer pics from the CT:
http://www.italianinsider.it/sites/d...ticg2r2uum.jpg
http://www.repstatic.it/content/loca...0c29b604a5.jpg
There is no "train to Amalfi," so you need to decide where you're going to stay and then figure out the best way to get there. For example, Positano is closer to Sorrento, and Amalfi is closer to Salerno. From either, you bus or ferry to towns on the Amalfi Coast.
If you want to stick to the water theme, you could stop at Bracciano on the lake of the same name (north of Rome) or Castel Gandolfo on Lake Albano (south of Rome) on the way south. Both have train service. Otherwise, you need to give more info on the type of stop you'd like to make.
May 10th, 2017, 06:10 PM
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From where you are in Florida is it possible to get a flight to Europe with an easy connection to Pisa? It's much quicker to get to le Cinque Terre from Pisa airport. Were it me, after le Cinque Terre, I would probably take the train to Naples and spend the night there, just as a lark. It's a crazy place, not to be missed. Then you can have a relaxed start to the Amalfi coast early the next morning.
However, you could also jut inland to Lucca (have you been?) or a very small hill town town very near Florence (Fiesole? Montecatini Alto?) just to have something different in the trip. Nice dinner, sleep, stroll around town. Next morning, go to Florence and get on a high speed train to Naples (2.5 hours) and make your way to the Amalfi. Taxi is fastest, and I think the rate is around 100 euros.
Are you sure that your husband is going to find enough to do in these tiny villages? If you are OK with lots of steep, steep walking/hiking, there's plenty of that, but that's about it. Plus shopping (in the Amalfi).
However, you could also jut inland to Lucca (have you been?) or a very small hill town town very near Florence (Fiesole? Montecatini Alto?) just to have something different in the trip. Nice dinner, sleep, stroll around town. Next morning, go to Florence and get on a high speed train to Naples (2.5 hours) and make your way to the Amalfi. Taxi is fastest, and I think the rate is around 100 euros.
Are you sure that your husband is going to find enough to do in these tiny villages? If you are OK with lots of steep, steep walking/hiking, there's plenty of that, but that's about it. Plus shopping (in the Amalfi).
May 10th, 2017, 06:13 PM
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Regarding crowds in le Cinque Terre, it's easy to avoid them if you spend the nights there but make a plan (if they bother you) to visit a nearby town during the day for lunch. Or just stay in a nearby town and go to le Cinque Terre for cocktails.
May 11th, 2017, 08:19 AM
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Sassafrass- thanks for your input, I will look into it, and yes thats the plan for my mom, she's the best!
Jean- Im aware of the tourists, and know there is no direct train to Amalfi, that was just my general itinerary and wasn't my question, thank you for your input however.
Frencharmoire-Such great suggestions thank you! Im going to see if I can get a connection to pisa bc I wasn't crazy about flying into Milan. Also we missed the leaning tower on the last trip so it would be fun to see this time- How many days do you think we will need in CT? Is two full days (without travel) enough to get the feel of it? I know this is obviously different but when we were in venice we were ready to leave after 1 1.5 days and still had another day left where we felt we were ready to move on- so I'm just trying to avoid feeling like that again- Do you have a suggestion of where we can go right outside CT thats quieter during the day so we can just enjoy and stay at night?
I like the suggestion of staying near florence for the night to break up the trip, and then heading to naples and amalfi (shopping yay!!)
My hubs will be just fine with the hiking but shopping maybe not so much lol!
Thank you!
Jean- Im aware of the tourists, and know there is no direct train to Amalfi, that was just my general itinerary and wasn't my question, thank you for your input however.
Frencharmoire-Such great suggestions thank you! Im going to see if I can get a connection to pisa bc I wasn't crazy about flying into Milan. Also we missed the leaning tower on the last trip so it would be fun to see this time- How many days do you think we will need in CT? Is two full days (without travel) enough to get the feel of it? I know this is obviously different but when we were in venice we were ready to leave after 1 1.5 days and still had another day left where we felt we were ready to move on- so I'm just trying to avoid feeling like that again- Do you have a suggestion of where we can go right outside CT thats quieter during the day so we can just enjoy and stay at night?
I like the suggestion of staying near florence for the night to break up the trip, and then heading to naples and amalfi (shopping yay!!)
My hubs will be just fine with the hiking but shopping maybe not so much lol!
Thank you!
May 11th, 2017, 08:47 AM
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Check Genoa also--I've seen good flights to there as well as Pisa.
There is just so much to do in the vicinity of both places, I'm not sure I'd break up the train ride in between. Just see how the trip takes shape after some flight digging.
There is just so much to do in the vicinity of both places, I'm not sure I'd break up the train ride in between. Just see how the trip takes shape after some flight digging.
May 11th, 2017, 10:24 AM
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If you are ever again feeling like you did in Venice, look to see what great places are close for a day trip. Did you go to any of the smaller islands like Burano? So different from Venice. Also Vicenza and Padua are short train rides, both very different and equally beautiful. If you get stuck, just hop into Fodors and you will get good, quick suggestions.
May 11th, 2017, 10:37 AM
#10
>>> Im going to see if I can get a connection to pisa <<<
Delta flies JFK/Pisa seasonally. I would probably fly into Naples and head to CT after the Amalfi coast. Fly home from Pisa/Florence/Genoa/Milan?
Delta flies JFK/Pisa seasonally. I would probably fly into Naples and head to CT after the Amalfi coast. Fly home from Pisa/Florence/Genoa/Milan?
May 11th, 2017, 11:27 AM
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If you are looking to fly from Miamo to Pisa or Genoa (GOA), try using a consolidator like Orbitz that will give you one-stop with a connection, all on one ticket. That way, if your first flight is delayed, you are guaranteed to put onto the next flight to your Italian destination. If you go to Genova airport it is bit longer & more complicated to get to the le Cinque Terre area than if you go to Pisa.
There are lots of really sweet B&Bs in the historic center Pisa if you think you'd like to spend the night to get over your jet lag. Plus you can see the tower all lit up at night (if you are not dead asleep).
Some towns with interest and life plus easy restaurants which are near le Cinque Terre but get none of the crowds are Sestri Levante and Moneglia. You can also think about staying in Levanto, which is a larger town right next to le Cinque Terre + from there you can use boats to get to le Cinque Terre as well as the train (or you can walk -- many people do, and they walk to Bonassola as well in the other direction, which is a charming town that is practically empty).
If you want to stay in le Cinque Terre but go elsewhere for lunch, consider taking a boat to Portovenere.
This part of the Italian Riviera, the area in and around le Cinque Terre, is all about pastel colors, palm trees, sea views, steep hikes, swims, coves, boat rides, breezes, eating al fresco & naps. You will see the minute you arrive what a lazy place it is. Every town is pretty much the same, the only difference is that some are kind of big and others are teeny. I would think, given the way you describe yourselves, 2 days is plenty, unless you think you'd like more time to deep relax after your plane flight.
There are lots of really sweet B&Bs in the historic center Pisa if you think you'd like to spend the night to get over your jet lag. Plus you can see the tower all lit up at night (if you are not dead asleep).
Some towns with interest and life plus easy restaurants which are near le Cinque Terre but get none of the crowds are Sestri Levante and Moneglia. You can also think about staying in Levanto, which is a larger town right next to le Cinque Terre + from there you can use boats to get to le Cinque Terre as well as the train (or you can walk -- many people do, and they walk to Bonassola as well in the other direction, which is a charming town that is practically empty).
If you want to stay in le Cinque Terre but go elsewhere for lunch, consider taking a boat to Portovenere.
This part of the Italian Riviera, the area in and around le Cinque Terre, is all about pastel colors, palm trees, sea views, steep hikes, swims, coves, boat rides, breezes, eating al fresco & naps. You will see the minute you arrive what a lazy place it is. Every town is pretty much the same, the only difference is that some are kind of big and others are teeny. I would think, given the way you describe yourselves, 2 days is plenty, unless you think you'd like more time to deep relax after your plane flight.
May 11th, 2017, 12:04 PM
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Book long-distance train tickets far in advance to get sweet at times incredibly cheap at www.trenitalia.com - for general info on trains check www.seat61.com - adroit advice on booking discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Florence or Siena would be idea stops after Cinque Terre - a few hours to either on trains.
Florence or Siena would be idea stops after Cinque Terre - a few hours to either on trains.
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