7 days: Rome 2, Sienna 1, Florence 2, Cinque Terre 2
Mar 1st, 2011, 11:52 AM
#1
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7 days: Rome 2, Sienna 1, Florence 2, Cinque Terre 2
Looking for advice on itinerary and trains to/from Cinque Terre. My wife and I (late 40s, good health, like walking) have a week in Italy in May. We have to fly in/out of Rome early on Monday to Monday. Current plans are Rome Mon/Tues night, train to Sienna for Wed night, train to Florence for Thurs night, then train to Cinque Terre late Friday for the weekend there, then late train back to Rome sunday night.
Doable or should we skip Sienna?
How long for train from Florence to CT?
How long does it take to get from CT back to Rome via train?
Recommendation for CT - which city to stay and hotel? We love the sea.
Thanks in advance, I've just read several threads on CT and lots of good advice on this forum.
Doable or should we skip Sienna?
How long for train from Florence to CT?
How long does it take to get from CT back to Rome via train?
Recommendation for CT - which city to stay and hotel? We love the sea.
Thanks in advance, I've just read several threads on CT and lots of good advice on this forum.
Mar 1st, 2011, 12:00 PM
#2
I would train to Florence upon arrival (90 minutes from Rome). Every time you change hotels it takes time so there is no point in staying in Rome twice.
Florence - 2 nights (I don't think you have time for Siena)
CT - 2 nights and avoid the weekend which will probably be more crowded
Rome - 3 nights
Florence - 2 nights (I don't think you have time for Siena)
CT - 2 nights and avoid the weekend which will probably be more crowded
Rome - 3 nights
Mar 1st, 2011, 12:01 PM
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Skip CT -- you'd be spending the entire week on trains and checking in and out of hotels. Just Rome and Florence would be a very full week, but if you must see Siena (note correct spelling), you could do it as a day trip from Florence, about an hour each way by frequent bus service, and save the hassle of packing and changing hotels.
Mar 1st, 2011, 12:41 PM
#6
did I miss WHEN you are going?
clearly if you love the sea, and it's not the middle of winter, then the CT is a must. in which case I would go straight to the CT on arrival and stay 3 nights, then back via Florence for one night, and onto Rome for the remaining 3 nights, which puts you in the right place for flying home.
if it's going to be too cold for the CT to be really attractive, spend the week in Rome and do a day trip or two to places like Orvieto or Ostia Antica.
clearly if you love the sea, and it's not the middle of winter, then the CT is a must. in which case I would go straight to the CT on arrival and stay 3 nights, then back via Florence for one night, and onto Rome for the remaining 3 nights, which puts you in the right place for flying home.
if it's going to be too cold for the CT to be really attractive, spend the week in Rome and do a day trip or two to places like Orvieto or Ostia Antica.
Mar 1st, 2011, 01:47 PM
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7 days - start by going straight to Florence, 3 nights Florence, then 4 nights Rome (or the other way). Save the CT & Siena for your next trip - trust me, there will be a next trip. Repeat, there will be a next trip. Spring in Rome and Florence will make you fall in love with Italy, not changing hotel rooms and spending hours in/on trains/stations will make you love it more. Do a day trip to Chianti if you spend 4 nights in Florence. Have a fabulous trip.
Mar 1st, 2011, 02:17 PM
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Don't skip the Cinque Terre if you have an interest in it - it's wonderful, the hiking is a lot of fun, it was a highlight of Italy for me for sure. (Just expect lots of American tourists and even more people on weekends.) I trained there from Florence. I stayed in Levanto, not ideal but it worked out OK for me. Two nights gives you a full day there to hike with some time to relax and enjoy the villages a little as well.
You can use the Trenitalia website to plot trains from place to place. Figure out which village in the CT you'd like to stay, then plug that into the Trenitalia website.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD
I also did a day trip to Siena from Florence - really loved Siena as well. I'm not a "museum person" and I didn't fall in love with Florence so much; wished I'd spent a night in Siena, actually - I hear it's magical at night. FYI, if you do keep this route, the bus is better and easier between Siena and Florence; the train station is not right at the old town and requires a change to get to Florence, whereas the bus stops right outside the town walls in Siena and takes you directly to Florence (if you catch an express bus) which is across the street from the main train station there.
You can use the Trenitalia website to plot trains from place to place. Figure out which village in the CT you'd like to stay, then plug that into the Trenitalia website.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD
I also did a day trip to Siena from Florence - really loved Siena as well. I'm not a "museum person" and I didn't fall in love with Florence so much; wished I'd spent a night in Siena, actually - I hear it's magical at night. FYI, if you do keep this route, the bus is better and easier between Siena and Florence; the train station is not right at the old town and requires a change to get to Florence, whereas the bus stops right outside the town walls in Siena and takes you directly to Florence (if you catch an express bus) which is across the street from the main train station there.
Mar 2nd, 2011, 02:20 AM
#11
fsu - sorry I missed the May bit.
on that basis, definitely keep the CT. one of the best times to visit it - the weather should be warm but not too hot for walking, you'll have long, light evenings, and there won't be hoards of tourists.
I would leave siena and the south of tuscany for another time. the easiest/least time consuming plan [and with only a week that is important] is the one I suggested.
on that basis, definitely keep the CT. one of the best times to visit it - the weather should be warm but not too hot for walking, you'll have long, light evenings, and there won't be hoards of tourists.
I would leave siena and the south of tuscany for another time. the easiest/least time consuming plan [and with only a week that is important] is the one I suggested.
Mar 2nd, 2011, 02:44 AM
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Many years ago when I was more of an museum person I would have recommended 3-4 days in Florence. On my most recent trip there a few years ago I found that I was late to get out of town after just 1 day. So there is no right answer. Personally I find there is much more to see & do in Rome even without museum overload.
I agree with the others about moving around less - changing hotels kills a 1/2 day each time, even if the travel distance is short.
There are direct trains from La Spezia to Rome, so you could to something like this with relatively little hassle.
Arrive, train to Rome Termini then head right to Florence.
Florence 3 nights, with a day trip to Siena, or 2 nights if you skip Siena.
Train to CT, 2 nights
From CT to Rome you'll pass through Pisa, so if you were so inclined you could take a quick layover to stop by the tower.
Train to Rome, 2-3 nights
I agree with the others about moving around less - changing hotels kills a 1/2 day each time, even if the travel distance is short.
There are direct trains from La Spezia to Rome, so you could to something like this with relatively little hassle.
Arrive, train to Rome Termini then head right to Florence.
Florence 3 nights, with a day trip to Siena, or 2 nights if you skip Siena.
Train to CT, 2 nights
From CT to Rome you'll pass through Pisa, so if you were so inclined you could take a quick layover to stop by the tower.
Train to Rome, 2-3 nights
