MyBeautifulBalloon

Hi everyone,

We have friends who have asked us to stay in Italy for another 2 weeks after our time in Le Marche, and we just could not say no.

We have all decided to travel south along the northwest coast, and have all chosen Genoa as our starting point as we travel back to Rome for our flight home. I have heard many different opinions on this city, but we think it will be fascinating. Is Genoa worth visiting and spending a few days?

It is the places that we should visit between Genoa and Rome that we are trying to figure out, and we only have a few weeks to plan.

We want to see Cinque Terre, but do not know if we should spend time there or do a day trip from outside (the train time is only about an hour and a half from either Genoa or Lucca).

Any other recommendations would be most welcome. We would like time on the beach, time in medieval towns (is Lucca a place to base ourselves for a few days), good food, and be as close to the sea as possible for most of the two weeks.

All advice and places will be considered.

Thank you so much.

Lara

Rubicund

I'd stop at the following;

Sam Margherita Ligure -visit Camogli, Rapallo
La Spezia-for Cinque Terre, Lucca and Pisa
Orbetello and across the bridge for a chilled finish to your break.

You'll need to work out how long you'd want in each place, but my own choice would be equal between all three stops.

Rubicund

Not Sam, San!

MyBeautifulBalloon

Hi Rubicund,

Is La Spezia an interesting city to base ourselves? I have read that it is not as nice as other places around it.

I may be wrong so please let me know.

Thanks for your list.

tonfromleiden

I love Genoa. Intriguing city. The old quarter is full of surprising gems. And don't forget the Cimitero Monumentale: a unique ensemble of nineteenth-century funerary monuments.
I had once the classic hotel Astoria, just across the Brignole railway station, with wonderful fresh breakfast coffee.

Rubicund

Las Spezia is a busy little place, with a good offering of hotels, restaurants etc., and while it may not be the most attractive of the towns on the coast, it's certainly well placed for the CT. It has good rail and bus links.

There are a number of places that you could base in, including any of the villages that make up the CT, but not for the 5 days I suggested. I do actually think that the CT is overrated and is only as popular as it is because of Rick Steves and his ilk. The paths are crowded when they are open and the villages though somewhat attractive in their own way, don't really do it for me.

La Spezia therefore, gives you the chance to see other places as I mentioned.

annhig

definitely leave time for Orbetello - originally an etruscan city which was then taken over by a number of civilisations, leading to a great richness of things to see and enjoy in the surrounding area. Plus a lagoon which is wonderful for sheltered swimming. En route and just slightly inland, the small city of Massa Marittima is an absolute gem and exactly fits your bill of wanting to spend time in a medieval town.

Though popular with Romans [contemporary ones that is] I doubt that this area would be as crowded as the CT, Lucca or Pisa.

ekscrunchy

Camogli would be a good base.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-camogli.cfm


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-much-else.cfm

neckervd

History: Genoa, Lucca, Volterra, Tarquinia
Beaches: Tuscany coast, Elba Island, Giglio Island