Pisa, Lucca, Cinque Terre- visit from "home base" or stay as we go?

that's a tough one... but i would be inclined to stay as i go. the trains along c.t. are just so weirdly scheduled that you could get stuck and not be able to get the train you want back to lucca. when we were in the area, we stayed at the north end of c.t. in rapollo and really enjoyed it. (it reminded us of santa monica.) sounds like a good trip!
kawh

While the CT is fairly easy to visit from Lucca (by train), Genova would be pushing it. IMO it would be a better choice to do a couple of days in Lucca, then move on to the CT (with a day trip to Genova from there) and eventually on to Milano.

Don't bother doing an overnighter in Pisa as Lucca is less than a 30 minute train ride away. If you are interested in seeing the Tower, it can be done from Lucca (by train).

When my sister, her husband and I went to Italy in April, we stayed in the CT at Vernazza for six days. During the week we took a day trip to Lucca by train. Another day we went to Pisa by train. Both easy trips. The other days which were perfect for us (we are New Englanders, so warmer climate people might think otherwise), 60's and sunny. We hiked the trails between the five towns, went up into the National Park trails and poked into art galleries and craft shops along the way. We both felt a day in Lucca and one in Pisa were sufficient for those cities, but others might think otherwise.

We landed in Milan and took a train to the CT. The train stopped in Genoa and it didn't seem as if it were far to Vernazza from there, so you could do another day trip from CT to Genoa.

In summary, I think you could base in CT and then return to Milan for your last days which would involve fewer moves.

Thanks for your input. meganinitalia do you have a suggestion as to which CT town would make the best base to stay for a couple of days?

We liked basing in the CT because it meant that we could get an early start on hiking before the heat of the day, stop for a picnic lunch or in a cafe and then amble back later.

Hi lavender,
We just returned from our trip to Italy and we stayed in Vernazza for three nights. We really enjoyed it. Plenty of places to eat and shop. Very nice harbor to sit and watch the sunset and waves crashing. Stayed at Albergo Barbara. Very easy and quick to get to the other CT towns by train or boat.

We visited Pisa and Lucca on the way from CT to San Gim. Spent about 1 hour at Pisa. Although the tower is nice and it is set in the Field of Miracles with other beautiful buildings, I felt myself becoming increasingly annoyed with the vast amount of vendors and the thousands of tourists that were doing that very touristy 'holding up the Tower' pose. But of course, I was there too so I really can't say much...what I mean is that you probably will not spend as much time in Pisa as you anticipate.

We really liked Lucca...very nice to walk around and we rented bikes and rode around the top of the wall for a couple hours. We were only there four hours but it would have been nice to have been there longer.

We had a car so I cannot comment on the public transportation aspect.

Please look under my name to see the train caution I posted about the CT area in October. Hopefully it will save you some heartache and money.

Take care,
Michele

It's nice to be in a town with more things to do, restaurants, etc. in the evening. For that, I'd choose Lucca or Pisa as a base. DH and I travelled to Lucca and CT from Pisa. We also went to San Gim and Siena by train/bus from Pisa.

We loved the non-touristy feel of Pisa once one left the Tower area. The Pisa Duomo is awesome inside btw. We stayed at Royal Victoria Hotel there and I always recommend it. If the phrase "old world charm" resonates with you, you'd love it. There is a university in Pisa so there were many convenient places to eat.

OTOH, we have friends who swear by Lucca. We liked it but loved Pisa. To each his own. Do look online at both cities and see what calls out to you. If you are avid hikers, CT might be the place to stay.

With 10 days I would do 3 days Lucca (from which you can visit Pisa), 3 days CT , and 3 days in Milan. I wouldn't spend time in Genoa. I have been in Lucca twice, staying as much as 2 weeks at a time and love it. I have only been to Pisa as daytrips so can't comment for its feel as a place to stay over, but Lucca is charming and has many good restaurants. When in CT yu should also visit Portovenere. We stayed there this past summer and loved it.

You could go by train from La Spezia or CT to Milano. From Milano you could do a day trip by train to lovely Verona.

If you want to have a base I would use Lucca without any reservation. I like it as the most relaxing Italian city we have visited mainly due to the lack of traffic and the walks on the walls - the size of the fields between the walls and the ring road leave the city feeling like an oasis from the madness of Italian life. People actually CYCLE in Lucca - strange concept in Italy.

The distances for day trips out not prohibitive but in view of their size it would seem logically easier to stop and go.

Thanks everyone- will take on board all advice. Neither of us are 'hikers" or indeed are interested in difficult walks but would love to experience the beauty of the Cinque Terre. Do people stay there and enjoy the scenery and lifestyle without great walks?

You can definitely enjoy CT without the walks (though they are spectacular). You can get a train pass and hop from town to town, spend time just enjoying the views (get a place with a good terrace!) and of course, the FOOD! There is also a ferry that goes between towns. We based ourselves in Vernazza and I'd highly recommend it. Info and pics from our trip at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/ (There is also info on Pisa and Lucca)

katrinab, you have been travelling! Sounds like Vernazza is what lavender has in mind. Lavender, please do check distances for travel. Even look at the trenitalia site and see timetables.

Enjoy!