Hi, I've done some research both on this forum and slow travel along with articles in Conde Nast and New York Times and think I have figured out how to split up our trip in October in Northern Italy.
We've been to Italy several times before and bought some really discounted airfare round trip to Milan.
So, we would like to visit Cinque Terre and Lucca (a little hiking and biking) and then travel to Alba for the Truffles festival, perhaps a Truffles hunt and checking out some of the hill towns.
We, of course, would like to have some good meals and visit perhaps a few wineries but not every day.

I think I may split up the trip with 5 nights in Porto Verne and 5 nights in Alba.
I have a recommendation for a small apartment in Porto Verne and know we can take the ferry to CT.
Not sure if just one day visiting CT is enough. I am thinking of locking in Villa La Meridiana outside of Alba. I know lots of folks recommended La Favorita but it is expensive . I see the owner who was highly recommended has passed away.

Can you comment on my ideas and tell me if staying in CT would be a better idea? thank you.

I have been to the Italian Mediterranean coast in October when it poured BUCKETS, so much so it was impossible to drive and even trains were not running. I have also been in October when it was hot enough to swim and suntan every single day, all day long, and eat outside in the evening. One difference was that the rainy weather came later in October, but I think sometimes it also comes early.

I probably would not plan a trip to the Italian west coast where I was staying in a beach town the whole time, and certainly not one where I had to rely on boats to go sightseeing. (I once got on a tourist boat in the Italian Riviera -- near Portofino -- and got off at the first opportunity because it was windy an the boat was heaving so much the spray was hitting my face, and I was sitting on the upper deck of the boat!)

But having said that, I would certainly go somewhere near the coast or a city on the coast where there were things to do other than swim, so whether it was rainy or sunny, it wouldn't matter.

By the way, it is Portovenere (spelling). Also wanted to say that if you like to bicycle, it is nice to do that in Piemonte. Around Lucca, you can bike on top of the walls, which is fun, but you just keep going around in the same circle, over and over. Outside of the walls, there is a lot of traffic, and I'm not sure I'd enjoy that as much as cycling around the vineyards in Piemonte.

Thank you frencharmorie for your reply. I need to remember that it could be a total washout if you stay a few days in CT. I wasn't planning on getting a car until the Piedmont part of our trip. But rethinking so that when we stay in the CT or Portovenere part we could travel to Lucca, Carrara and I hear there is a beautiful ride over the mountains to little towns there. Thanks for the recommendations about bike riding. Helpful.

Just riding around the walls of Lucca was not enough for us (though it was delightful), so we ventured out of the old town and rode on a wide path along the river. It was very hairy getting to the park to access the trail, but once we were there it was nice. I am sure they could give you advice at a bike rental shop.

Thanks Yorkshire. Did you stay in Lucca or just visit for the day? If so, can you recommend a place to stay?

I stayed a few days in Lucca, but I am afraid it did not charm me--I am in the minority on that! The place we stayed was not anything to recommend.
I know you are considering staying outside of town in Alba, but just in case, I will share the lovely place I stayed, the absolutely lovely Casa Dellatorre. It is inside the old town but has parking. Unfortunately, we had rain while we were in Alba, so we did not get to ramble as much as we would have liked to.

Portovenere has no train so your choices for excursions will be limited. I'd suggest Levanto, just north of the Cinque Terre. It's a pleasant small city on the train line and with ferry service. You can get to the CT and Portovenere by boat from there (one per day each way in Oct.- likely schedule here: http://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/09/...schedules.html ). If the weather is a problem you can just train to the CT or other attractions like Santa Margherita or Camogli or the museums of La Spezia. There's also delightful biking through the tunnels of an old rail line from Levanto up the coast to Framura (rentals available).

Perfect. Mazzaschi! We did book a small B&B in Levanto. Thank you for the additional rainy day suggestions. Now I'm looking for a perfect place to stay for 2 in Lucca. We plan to drive from Levanto(pick up the car in La Spensia) maybe stop in Carrara and some other places and arrive in Lucca in the late afternoon.
The next day, maybe a bike ride and a trip outside the walls. Back to Lucca for he second night then a leisurely drive to Alba.

Any budget recommendation for Lucca would be appreciated. Thanks all