Cinque Terre AND Almalfi Coast - HELP!
Apr 9th, 2019 | 05:27 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2016
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Cinque Terre AND Almalfi Coast - HELP!
Hello! My husband and I will be going on our second trip to Italy at the end of August/beginning of September. We visited Italy 10 years ago and while we did spend four amazing days in the Almalfi Coast, we would like to return and stay in Positano this time and spend more time exploring the neighboring towns.
We would also like to spend some time in Cinque Terre, which leads to my question!! Has anyone done an itinerary with Cinque Terre and Southern Italy? We will have about 14 days, including flying in/out of Italy. We would like to spend 3-5 days in Cinque Terre, 4-5 days in the Almalfi Coast and the remainder of the time in Sicily. We wouldn't mind spending 1-2 days in Florence/Tuscany, if the itinerary works out that way.
We are both in our mid-30's and will be traveling solo. We are both active and don't mind moving around a lot and packing in a lot into our trips. We are used to it! I feel like I have to emphasize this point since I see a lot of forum responses discouraging this type of travel. We are set on Southern Italy, since we love the beach, so exploring Cinque Terre and northern Italy is out.
Thanks so much! Feel free to ask any questions that may help you guide us.
We would also like to spend some time in Cinque Terre, which leads to my question!! Has anyone done an itinerary with Cinque Terre and Southern Italy? We will have about 14 days, including flying in/out of Italy. We would like to spend 3-5 days in Cinque Terre, 4-5 days in the Almalfi Coast and the remainder of the time in Sicily. We wouldn't mind spending 1-2 days in Florence/Tuscany, if the itinerary works out that way.
We are both in our mid-30's and will be traveling solo. We are both active and don't mind moving around a lot and packing in a lot into our trips. We are used to it! I feel like I have to emphasize this point since I see a lot of forum responses discouraging this type of travel. We are set on Southern Italy, since we love the beach, so exploring Cinque Terre and northern Italy is out.
Thanks so much! Feel free to ask any questions that may help you guide us.
Apr 9th, 2019 | 07:27 AM
#6
Joined: Sep 2007
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To answer your question, yes, we travel like that frequently, and we are almost double your age. We disagree with many who post here when they immediately reject anything that doesn't fit THEIR travel style. We did blog once on traveling a few years ago to 16 countries in 30 days, to show a relative around Europe, and despite the sarcasm from some on this forum, it was a big success FOR US. It all depends on YOUR interests and travel style. last fall, we did Cinque Terre in one day, hiking the open lower trails. Here is our trip report that included that: Rapallo/Cinque Terre/20 Places/8 Nights Sept/Oct
In our case, the Italian Riviera portion followed our time in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and one of the northern lakes. And we followed it, with 8 nights in Sardinia and then time in Normandy and Brittany. I think we had six weeks. We travel with carry-ons only; we walk 10 miles or so each day; and we enjoy rail and other travel between locations. It works FOR US.
Again, it is up to you. We usually travel after the peak season, and as others noted, late August will still be a part of the busiest period.
In our case, the Italian Riviera portion followed our time in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and one of the northern lakes. And we followed it, with 8 nights in Sardinia and then time in Normandy and Brittany. I think we had six weeks. We travel with carry-ons only; we walk 10 miles or so each day; and we enjoy rail and other travel between locations. It works FOR US.
Again, it is up to you. We usually travel after the peak season, and as others noted, late August will still be a part of the busiest period.
Apr 9th, 2019 | 08:15 AM
#7
Joined: Mar 2007
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Sicily is so much larger than most people realize, with so much to see, plus getting there, then getting around there takes more time than you might think, it really needs two weeks. Since your 14 days includes travel time, you have only 12 days for sightseeing. Put it all into Sicily.
OTOH, you could do 3 or 4 days on the Amalfi Coast, then ferry or fly to Sicily for a week. Choose only one side of Sicily in that case, either East/SE or Palermo and West.
OTOH, you could do 3 or 4 days on the Amalfi Coast, then ferry or fly to Sicily for a week. Choose only one side of Sicily in that case, either East/SE or Palermo and West.
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Apr 9th, 2019 | 05:13 PM
#8
Joined: Dec 2006
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I am also very puzzled by your question.
With limited time in Sicily, you could -- of course -- see some wonderful things, but FWIW, keep in mind that it easily takes 2.5 to 3 weeks just to see the highlights of Sicily. As others are noting, trying to spend a few days there adds tremendously to your travel time. Your trip, your call!
With limited time in Sicily, you could -- of course -- see some wonderful things, but FWIW, keep in mind that it easily takes 2.5 to 3 weeks just to see the highlights of Sicily. As others are noting, trying to spend a few days there adds tremendously to your travel time. Your trip, your call!
Apr 10th, 2019 | 02:11 AM
#9
Joined: Jul 2006
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Sicily has 8 uneseco sites. Two are relatively close, I've done a 6 day tour of the island and managed most of them. I used buses/pullman to get to most and a car for a couple of days especially to reach the centre of the Island away from the autostrade. Your timing is bad as you will just be slipping off high season but the place will still be busy. The days are long and you just keep going. I'd fly Genoa into the Island unless Pisa is any easier or cheaper.
Apr 10th, 2019 | 03:18 AM
#10
Joined: Jun 2013
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Apr 10th, 2019 | 03:28 AM
#11
Joined: Jun 2013
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Hello! My husband and I will be going on our second trip to Italy at the end of August/beginning of September. We visited Italy 10 years ago and while we did spend four amazing days in the Almalfi Coast, we would like to return and stay in Positano this time and spend more time exploring the neighboring towns.
We would also like to spend some time in Cinque Terre, which leads to my question!! Has anyone done an itinerary with Cinque Terre and Southern Italy? We will have about 14 days, including flying in/out of Italy. We would like to spend 3-5 days in Cinque Terre, 4-5 days in the Almalfi Coast and the remainder of the time in Sicily. We wouldn't mind spending 1-2 days in Florence/Tuscany, if the itinerary works out that way.
We are both in our mid-30's and will be traveling solo. We are both active and don't mind moving around a lot and packing in a lot into our trips. We are used to it! I feel like I have to emphasize this point since I see a lot of forum responses discouraging this type of travel. We are set on Southern Italy, since we love the beach, so exploring Cinque Terre and northern Italy is out.
Thanks so much! Feel free to ask any questions that may help you guide us.
We would also like to spend some time in Cinque Terre, which leads to my question!! Has anyone done an itinerary with Cinque Terre and Southern Italy? We will have about 14 days, including flying in/out of Italy. We would like to spend 3-5 days in Cinque Terre, 4-5 days in the Almalfi Coast and the remainder of the time in Sicily. We wouldn't mind spending 1-2 days in Florence/Tuscany, if the itinerary works out that way.
We are both in our mid-30's and will be traveling solo. We are both active and don't mind moving around a lot and packing in a lot into our trips. We are used to it! I feel like I have to emphasize this point since I see a lot of forum responses discouraging this type of travel. We are set on Southern Italy, since we love the beach, so exploring Cinque Terre and northern Italy is out.
Thanks so much! Feel free to ask any questions that may help you guide us.
Apr 10th, 2019 | 04:18 AM
#12
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,504
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A somewhat decent visit of Sicily would need all your 2 weeks.
But you can of course fly into Palermo or Catania, visit Sicily, go by ferry from either Palermo (Grimaldi lines) or Messina (Caronte Ferries) to Salerno and spend the last 3 days along the Amalfi Coast before flying home from Naples.
There are also trains betweeen Sily and Salerno
Siracusa dp 21.45 - Salerno ar 6.45 (overnight train with sleeping cars),
Messina Marittima dp 7.40 - Salerno ar 12.26
Reggio Calabria dp 12.50 - Salerno ar 16.42
Messina Centrale dp 13.15 - Salerno ar 18.37
But you can of course fly into Palermo or Catania, visit Sicily, go by ferry from either Palermo (Grimaldi lines) or Messina (Caronte Ferries) to Salerno and spend the last 3 days along the Amalfi Coast before flying home from Naples.
There are also trains betweeen Sily and Salerno
Siracusa dp 21.45 - Salerno ar 6.45 (overnight train with sleeping cars),
Messina Marittima dp 7.40 - Salerno ar 12.26
Reggio Calabria dp 12.50 - Salerno ar 16.42
Messina Centrale dp 13.15 - Salerno ar 18.37
Last edited by neckervd; Apr 10th, 2019 at 04:32 AM.
Apr 10th, 2019 | 12:31 PM
#13
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
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Going by train - book long-distance trains at www.trenitalia.com - Italian State Railways - get nice discounts if earlier enough to grab them - can book months in advance. For lots on Italian trains check www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts.
To me the Amalfi and 5 Terre and Florence in between would be max - direct trains Florence to Salerno or Naples - for Positano go to Naples then take the CircumVesuviana commuter train to Salerno and ferry or bus to Positano but many find a car service Naples-Positano to be far quicker and more convenient - could stop at Pompeii en route.
To me the Amalfi and 5 Terre and Florence in between would be max - direct trains Florence to Salerno or Naples - for Positano go to Naples then take the CircumVesuviana commuter train to Salerno and ferry or bus to Positano but many find a car service Naples-Positano to be far quicker and more convenient - could stop at Pompeii en route.
