Catherineanncecelia

We are almost done planning our 40th anniversary trip to Italy. We need help deciding where to stay on the way from Cortona to Varenna in Cinque Terra. How about a few nights in Bologna & Parma or maybe Lucca. Also some good restaurant suggestions would be appreciated. Our plan so far is as follows:
11 days in Cortona
7 days left to plan
14 days in Varenna
4 days in Venice

charnees

I don't understand your question. Varenna is not in le Cinque Terre, it is on Lago di Como.

adrienne

Two weeks in Varenna? Are you sure you want to do this? I love the Lake Como area but 2 weeks in Varenna would be a bit dull. There's tons of Italy you're leaving out in favor of spending 2 weeks in a village.

After seeing photos of Verona I definitely would go there.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ographs.cfm?25

ellenem

Vernazza is in Cinque Terre.

Varenna is in Lake Como.

Which is it?

(Two weeks in either village sounds like a bit much.)

mamcalice

When is your trip? Have you been to Italy before? I agree with 4 days in Venice but otherwise you have somewhat the opposite issue from the posters who rush from place to place. You are spending loads of time in small places with not much to do for more than a couple of days. Whether Varenna or Vernazza, 2-3 days is plenty. And a week in Cortona, perhaps in a villa or farmhouse, is plenty. Also, Bologna and Parma aren't really on the way from Cortona to Cinque Terre but perhaps on the way from Cinque Terre to Venice. Are you skipping Rome and Florence?

Jean

More questions:

What is your arrival city and is this order of destinations fixed? Depending on where you're flying from and where and when you land, you may want to stay there a day/night (or two) to get your feet under you, adjust to the time, etc. If you're energetic types, you could certainly take a train to your first destination, but 36 days certainly gives you the option to get a leisurely start.

How do you plan to get around?

If the order is not fixed, have you booked your departing flight out of Venice? For some people (like me on the U.S. West Coast), the flight options all involve very early morning departures which is not my way of ending a lovely holiday on a happy/pleasant note. Many find Venice to be a great place to START a visit to Italy.

Catherineanncecelia

I am sorry for the confusion - I meant Vernazza in Cinque Terra. This is our fifth trip to Italy and we realize that we are spending a long time in Varenna and in Cortona but we are renting apartments in these two place to cut down on expenses. We are flexible with the rest of the trip and have booked a flight into Rome and out of Venice. We have just booked a nice hotel in Venice for the last five nights. Still looking for ideas for the week between Cortona and Vernazza - places to stay and restaurants, etc.
We are still open for suggestions with places of interest. We will have a car in Cortona for day trips. Thank you for your help.

alihutch

2 weeks on Lake Como? How wonderful...nice to be able to relax and potter about the lake.

adrienne

<< I meant Vernazza in Cinque Terra. This is our fifth trip to Italy and we realize that we are spending a long time in Varenna >>

When are you spending time in Varenna? Are you going to both Vernazza and Varenna?

ellenem

The OP keeps mistyping, but I think she means

11 days in Cortona
7 days left to plan
14 days in Vernazza
4 days in Venice

charnees

You can rent an apartment for as few as 3 days and still get the cost savings. You don't have to stay for such a long time. If perhaps some places give you a small discount for a longer stay I am not sure it is worth it if it keeps you pinned down in a place for too long.

Catherineanncecelia

I am sorry for the confusion. I'll try to be as clear this time. Thanks ellenem but here it is:

11 days Cortona
7 days left to plan
14 days Varenna on L Como
5 days Venice

Flight is booked May 3rd NYC to Rome - return June 10th Venice to NYC

Catherineanncecelia

Just wanted to THANK everyone for your help and suggestions. We have been to Cortona and Varenna before and want to relax this time - thus the long time in each place...