MIlan, Liguria, Tuscany itinerary help
May 14th, 2011, 05:07 PM
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MIlan, Liguria, Tuscany itinerary help
Hello!
We are a group of 4 in our early and mid thirties and have tickets to Milan Sept 18-28 from NYC. We need help with our itinerary for the 9 day trip through Liguria and Tuscany that includes sightseeing, great food and a little down time on the beach. Here is what I am thinking:
9/19 arrive in Milan early morning, rent a car and drive down to Portofino
9/20, 9/21 Cinque Terre
9/22 Elba
9/23,24,25,26 in Sienna/Tuscany
9/27 Milan
is this too much? We've been to Florence and San Gimignano before so is Sienna good spot to explore Tuscany? We do plan on doing a day trip to Florence again.
Is Elba worth the trip?
Thanks!
Sergey
We are a group of 4 in our early and mid thirties and have tickets to Milan Sept 18-28 from NYC. We need help with our itinerary for the 9 day trip through Liguria and Tuscany that includes sightseeing, great food and a little down time on the beach. Here is what I am thinking:
9/19 arrive in Milan early morning, rent a car and drive down to Portofino
9/20, 9/21 Cinque Terre
9/22 Elba
9/23,24,25,26 in Sienna/Tuscany
9/27 Milan
is this too much? We've been to Florence and San Gimignano before so is Sienna good spot to explore Tuscany? We do plan on doing a day trip to Florence again.
Is Elba worth the trip?
Thanks!
Sergey
May 14th, 2011, 08:19 PM
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If you're going to bother going to Elba, I'd stay for at least 2 nights. True, the ferry only takes one hour, but as a day trip you might be disappointed you didn't spend the night.
Siena is a good place to base yourselves to explore Tuscany and you'll be mainly on B roads (Strada Statali/Proviciali)- if you're still driving -so the scenery is even more spectacular than just being on the Autostrade. If you do a driving day trip to Florence, remember parking is painful (look along the Arno on the southern side of the city) and don't drive into restricted areas in the centre of the city or a large fine will follow.
The Cinque Terre are beautiful, but just be aware that in September the Autumn/Fall storms strike and can close the hiking trails (even the via dell'Amore closes in heavy storms). It might mean sitting in cafes and whiling your days away, but there are worse ways to experience a place. It's difficult to drive to some of the towns of Cinque Terre, so if you can leave the car in Portofino or La Spezia then do so and catch the train to whatever town you decide to stay in (Vernazza, Manarola or Riomaggiore are good choices).
Did you have a list of other towns in Tuscany/surrounding regions you plan to visit?
Siena is a good place to base yourselves to explore Tuscany and you'll be mainly on B roads (Strada Statali/Proviciali)- if you're still driving -so the scenery is even more spectacular than just being on the Autostrade. If you do a driving day trip to Florence, remember parking is painful (look along the Arno on the southern side of the city) and don't drive into restricted areas in the centre of the city or a large fine will follow.
The Cinque Terre are beautiful, but just be aware that in September the Autumn/Fall storms strike and can close the hiking trails (even the via dell'Amore closes in heavy storms). It might mean sitting in cafes and whiling your days away, but there are worse ways to experience a place. It's difficult to drive to some of the towns of Cinque Terre, so if you can leave the car in Portofino or La Spezia then do so and catch the train to whatever town you decide to stay in (Vernazza, Manarola or Riomaggiore are good choices).
Did you have a list of other towns in Tuscany/surrounding regions you plan to visit?
May 15th, 2011, 09:58 AM
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Sergey,
In Spetmeber I have a 14 day itinerary for Milan, Riviera di Levante and Florence. I am using public transpotation, no rental car. It is designed to be a combination of "culture",i.e. art, architecture,museums, local cusine and life i.e. food & drink including the local markets, bakeries, vinyards (grapes and olive oil) and blend urban and more rural. I have not been to Alba nor done any research as to why I might like Elba, so temper my comments with that in mind. 2 days in Milan satsifies my curiousity. I have left off the Last supper in exchange for Basilica Sant'Ambrogio, Castello Sforzesco, Santa Maria presso San Satiro, San Lorenzo Maggiore, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, and of course the Duomo. I am very anxious to visit Portofino, Cinque Terre, Santa Margherita, Camogli, and other towns in the "Levante" area of Liguria. This portion of the trip is more food and local culture focused. I am renting an appartment in Rapallo and planning 6 days in that area. I too have been to Florence, once, and am looking forward to returning; however, I really like Siena too. Il CAmpo & the Duomo are exciting to see. My wife liked the shopping!. With a rental car, Sienna would make a good base of operations for seeing other Tuscan towns, Cortona, Chiusi both have good Etruscan sites and museums. Montalcino, Pienza and Montepluciano are great towns to visit for wine and food and sites. I hope this triggers some ideas for you. Happy planning and Happy Travels.
Rolo
In Spetmeber I have a 14 day itinerary for Milan, Riviera di Levante and Florence. I am using public transpotation, no rental car. It is designed to be a combination of "culture",i.e. art, architecture,museums, local cusine and life i.e. food & drink including the local markets, bakeries, vinyards (grapes and olive oil) and blend urban and more rural. I have not been to Alba nor done any research as to why I might like Elba, so temper my comments with that in mind. 2 days in Milan satsifies my curiousity. I have left off the Last supper in exchange for Basilica Sant'Ambrogio, Castello Sforzesco, Santa Maria presso San Satiro, San Lorenzo Maggiore, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, and of course the Duomo. I am very anxious to visit Portofino, Cinque Terre, Santa Margherita, Camogli, and other towns in the "Levante" area of Liguria. This portion of the trip is more food and local culture focused. I am renting an appartment in Rapallo and planning 6 days in that area. I too have been to Florence, once, and am looking forward to returning; however, I really like Siena too. Il CAmpo & the Duomo are exciting to see. My wife liked the shopping!. With a rental car, Sienna would make a good base of operations for seeing other Tuscan towns, Cortona, Chiusi both have good Etruscan sites and museums. Montalcino, Pienza and Montepluciano are great towns to visit for wine and food and sites. I hope this triggers some ideas for you. Happy planning and Happy Travels.
Rolo
May 15th, 2011, 11:58 AM
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You don't expect to be jet-lagged and sleepy when you arrive? Italy has very strict impaired driving laws. Also you need an International Driver's Permit (easily and cheaply obtained from AAA).
It would save you time if you returned from Pisa. Is it possible to change your tickets for not too much money?
It would save you time if you returned from Pisa. Is it possible to change your tickets for not too much money?
May 16th, 2011, 02:15 PM
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@madamtrashheap, yes I plan on spending the night in Elba on the 22nd and then leaving in the morning. For Cinque Terre, is it hard to drive into Monterosso? I would prefer to stay here and spend 2 days on the beach while also exploring the other towns. I had no idea about the storms. Is the weather generally good in late September? Should we maybe scratch Cinque Terre?
In Tuscany, not too sure yet on which towns, but any reco's would be highly appreciated.
@rolohof_duvall, thanks for suggesting Rappallo..I have never heard of it. Portofino seems extremely expensive to stay so I will look at all the options.
@mimar, thats why I picked Portofino..its only 2hrs away from Milan and seems reasonable to drive given that we arrive at 8am. The other options is to stay this day in Milan instead of the last day in Milan. We have driven in Italy 6years ago with a US license. Have the rules changed?
Why would we go back from Pisa? Tuscany is only about 4-5hrs away from Milan. Tickets can not be changed.
In Tuscany, not too sure yet on which towns, but any reco's would be highly appreciated.
@rolohof_duvall, thanks for suggesting Rappallo..I have never heard of it. Portofino seems extremely expensive to stay so I will look at all the options.
@mimar, thats why I picked Portofino..its only 2hrs away from Milan and seems reasonable to drive given that we arrive at 8am. The other options is to stay this day in Milan instead of the last day in Milan. We have driven in Italy 6years ago with a US license. Have the rules changed?
Why would we go back from Pisa? Tuscany is only about 4-5hrs away from Milan. Tickets can not be changed.
May 16th, 2011, 03:14 PM
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Monterosso is possibly the easiest town in the Cinque Terre to drive to; we've done it several times. At least one hotel, the Villa Steno, has some parking. Otherwise, there's a parking lot on the beach. The weather is a little more iffy at the end of September in Italy, but we've been there at that time of year on several trips, and had very weather.
The only possible drawback to staying in Siena and doing day trips from there is it's a little more difficult to drive in and out of Siena, because it's a bigger city than, for example, San Gimignano. As you've visited San Gimignano and that part of Tuscany already, consider somewhere further south, in the area of Pienza/Montalcino/Montepulciano. It would be a little more difficult, though, to do a day trip to Florence from any of those towns.
The only possible drawback to staying in Siena and doing day trips from there is it's a little more difficult to drive in and out of Siena, because it's a bigger city than, for example, San Gimignano. As you've visited San Gimignano and that part of Tuscany already, consider somewhere further south, in the area of Pienza/Montalcino/Montepulciano. It would be a little more difficult, though, to do a day trip to Florence from any of those towns.
May 16th, 2011, 03:35 PM
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We drove to Santa Margherita Ligure after landing in Milan, no problems, almost all on the autostrada. Monterosso is easy to drive to and we left our car in the big lot there. Our late September weather was perfect. Hotel Porto Roca has a section of the beach that is only for their guests which is nice.
May 16th, 2011, 06:38 PM
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<@madamtrashheap, yes I plan on spending the night in Elba on the 22nd and then leaving in the morning.>
A full day, ie two nights, would give you more of a chance to explore, but if you're pressed for time, take the earliest ferry on 22nd so you have a good chunk of the day on Elba.
<For Cinque Terre, is it hard to drive into Monterosso? I would prefer to stay here and spend 2 days on the beach while also exploring the other towns. I had no idea about the storms. Is the weather generally good in late September? Should we maybe scratch Cinque Terre?> Another poster has already covered this, so to reiterate,no, it's quite easy! Monterosso is, IMHO, the least pretty of the 5 towns, but if you want a beach proper, then it's your place. Trains between the towns are frequent enough during the day, but don't get caught late at night and miss the last train - it's easy to linger over a dinner in Vernazza and have to sprint for the train home! As for later in September, nope, still Autumn/Fall storms. It's just luck of the draw, as weather can be when you travel (!) so I certainly wouldn't skip CT just because you might have some cracking thunder and lightning to watch from the safety of a cafe or your balcony.
<In Tuscany, not too sure yet on which towns, but any reco's would be highly appreciated.> There are some other current posts about towns in Tuscany you should have a look at, but some towns to consider and which are easy to reach from Siena by car are: Chiusi,Greve in Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano,Lucca...I could go on but your time is limited so start with these and research any others you find in the other posts. And slightly outside the Tuscan border but still doable with a car: Orvieto, Cortona, Assisi.
A full day, ie two nights, would give you more of a chance to explore, but if you're pressed for time, take the earliest ferry on 22nd so you have a good chunk of the day on Elba.
<For Cinque Terre, is it hard to drive into Monterosso? I would prefer to stay here and spend 2 days on the beach while also exploring the other towns. I had no idea about the storms. Is the weather generally good in late September? Should we maybe scratch Cinque Terre?> Another poster has already covered this, so to reiterate,no, it's quite easy! Monterosso is, IMHO, the least pretty of the 5 towns, but if you want a beach proper, then it's your place. Trains between the towns are frequent enough during the day, but don't get caught late at night and miss the last train - it's easy to linger over a dinner in Vernazza and have to sprint for the train home! As for later in September, nope, still Autumn/Fall storms. It's just luck of the draw, as weather can be when you travel (!) so I certainly wouldn't skip CT just because you might have some cracking thunder and lightning to watch from the safety of a cafe or your balcony.
<In Tuscany, not too sure yet on which towns, but any reco's would be highly appreciated.> There are some other current posts about towns in Tuscany you should have a look at, but some towns to consider and which are easy to reach from Siena by car are: Chiusi,Greve in Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano,Lucca...I could go on but your time is limited so start with these and research any others you find in the other posts. And slightly outside the Tuscan border but still doable with a car: Orvieto, Cortona, Assisi.
May 17th, 2011, 04:22 AM
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Thanks, I have been to Assisi.
Orvieto seems quit a bit of a drive..It was on my Rome itinerary
when I was deciding between north and south. I will look into cortona.
Is the food in Monterosso as good as the other towns given that is more touristy?
I am ok with the small Vernazza beach if its a better place to be.
Thanks for all the Tuscany help. What about Lucca? We can make a half day stop there on the way back to Milan.
Orvieto seems quit a bit of a drive..It was on my Rome itinerary
when I was deciding between north and south. I will look into cortona.Is the food in Monterosso as good as the other towns given that is more touristy?
I am ok with the small Vernazza beach if its a better place to be.
Thanks for all the Tuscany help. What about Lucca? We can make a half day stop there on the way back to Milan.
May 17th, 2011, 05:48 PM
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We prefer Monterosso, because there are more restaurants to choose from. I've only had lunch in some of the other towns, so I can't really compare those to lunch and dinner in Monterosso, but we enjoyed the restaurants in Monterosso.
Put Lucca on a tentative list; you could stop there if you wanted to take the time out of your other places. After years of flying into Milan but never stopping to visit, we finally stayed there when my DH had a business meeting there several years ago. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked Milan. (I like Lucca too.) Rather than taking the time to get to Lucca, find parking, etc., I would probably just spend that 1/2 day in Milan or wherever in Tuscany that you're coming from.
Portofino and the price tag - that's an individual sort of decision, but no, I think there are many places just as beautiful (and less expensive). If I were one of your group (that is, 4 of you, in your 30s), I might consider pushing all the way to the Cinque Terre on your arrival day - with 4 people, you can trade off drivers. Unless you really want to see Portofino.
Put Lucca on a tentative list; you could stop there if you wanted to take the time out of your other places. After years of flying into Milan but never stopping to visit, we finally stayed there when my DH had a business meeting there several years ago. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked Milan. (I like Lucca too.) Rather than taking the time to get to Lucca, find parking, etc., I would probably just spend that 1/2 day in Milan or wherever in Tuscany that you're coming from.
Portofino and the price tag - that's an individual sort of decision, but no, I think there are many places just as beautiful (and less expensive). If I were one of your group (that is, 4 of you, in your 30s), I might consider pushing all the way to the Cinque Terre on your arrival day - with 4 people, you can trade off drivers. Unless you really want to see Portofino.
May 18th, 2011, 10:45 AM
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thanks. This is very helpful. I have booked an apartment in Monterosso for 2 nights. The reason I didn't want to push through to Cinque Terre is because its supposed to a bit of a difficult drive into Monterosso and would probably be an additional 2-3hrs from Portofino. I figured Portofino would be a good spot to see the the luxury playground. We will be staying at Hotel Eden. The price isnt too bad.
Can you recommend anything to do/see in Elba and Tuscany? Is it even worth to go to Elba? We have a day planned here.
Then 4 days in Tuscany, I want to spend a day in Florence; want to enjoy Sienna, go wine and olive oil tasting in Chianti as well as visit a few towns in Chianti; want to head south to Montepulciano and Cortona. How does that sound?
Can you recommend anything to do/see in Elba and Tuscany? Is it even worth to go to Elba? We have a day planned here.
Then 4 days in Tuscany, I want to spend a day in Florence; want to enjoy Sienna, go wine and olive oil tasting in Chianti as well as visit a few towns in Chianti; want to head south to Montepulciano and Cortona. How does that sound?
May 18th, 2011, 06:54 PM
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I don't know anything about Elba, so can't help you there. But I love art and history, so I would drop Elba and spend a couple of nights in Florence.
Your ideas for Tuscany sound great. You could drive on the S222 through Chianti on your way there from the Cinque Terre. I prefer Brunello to Chianti wine, so I would drive through Chianti to admire the scenery, but spend more time (and more time tasting wine) in the Montalcino / Montepulciano area. There's a fun place in Montalcino, Enoteca Osteria Osticcio, that offers wine tastings and olive oil tastings.
Your ideas for Tuscany sound great. You could drive on the S222 through Chianti on your way there from the Cinque Terre. I prefer Brunello to Chianti wine, so I would drive through Chianti to admire the scenery, but spend more time (and more time tasting wine) in the Montalcino / Montepulciano area. There's a fun place in Montalcino, Enoteca Osteria Osticcio, that offers wine tastings and olive oil tastings.
May 19th, 2011, 04:21 AM
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The reason why I want to keep Florence to 1 day is because I've been there before so the day I want to spend there will be strictly to visit Uffizi which I missed last time.
Anyone know anything about Elba? It sounds interesting given its history but I don't actually know if there is anything to do there. I am mostly looking for a nice relaxing beach day.
Anyone know anything about Elba? It sounds interesting given its history but I don't actually know if there is anything to do there. I am mostly looking for a nice relaxing beach day.
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