Traveling from Milan for 10 days starting May 4 with a car.
4 nights Hotel Pironi - Lk.Maggiore
3 nights Corte Gondina - La Morra in Piedmont region
Had planned to spend last 2 nights Cinque Terre, but I am getting worried that it is too touristy and that we might like Genoa or Turin better. Would appreciate comments. Is the Cinque Terre area similar in atmosphere and landscape to the Amalfi Coast which we have seen?
Thanks for your help.

While both are coastal, I found the two areas to be different enough. The CT are touristy, but they're much smaller than many of the Amalfi towns (which aren't all that big either). We stayed in Levanto (the town right next to the CT which we really loved), and visited the CT over several days.

I haven't been to Genoa in YEARS, but from what I remember it was definitely "seedier" than the CT or Amalfi areas. Have not been to Turin so can't comment.

I think it depends on if you want to be coastal or not. You're from Margate... doesn't that mean you prefer the water? (I'm a Philly girl.)

I think May is still ok for CT.
CT is more quiet than the Amalfi coast, primarely because the 5 villages are a car-free zone. You would go to CT more for hiking between the 5 villages. The Amalfi coast is definitely posher.
Nature in CT is more preserved; no buildings between the villages, just the mountain slope or cliff and the sea. The Amalfi coast is a lot more urbanized.
Genova is also a beautiful town. I think it will develop as a 2 or 3 day city visit in the following years for europeans.
Turin is also a good opportunity. A world class egyptian museum, a well preserved city center.

But without any doubt, my choice would be CT.

I second the vote for CT.

Can you look for my heart when you to to Vernazza?....I left it there in October.

Have fun!

margategirl,

I am in the midst of a very long detailed trip report which is currently in the CT we spent 3 nights in Vernazza at La Mala inn.

Search my name and you'll see it:
(glorious 19 day trip in October)

In May I think you'll still be avoiding the summer crowds. While there in October, it was just perfect.

Ciao!

We stayed a night in Genoa last summer. In my opinion one night is enough. The harbor is OK and walking the old town is nice. The shopping however was VERY GOOD - we hit the sales. The foccaciarias (spelling) are fun! We were there on a Monday night and there were relatively no restaurants to choose from...don't worry, we ate well.

I did a walking holiday in CT, during Septemebr 2006. We were based in Bonassola, which is a seaside village just outside the CT tourist trap area, so cars are allowed. We used a rail pass to travel between the CT towns and along the coast. On our return to Bonassola, we enjoyed a quick swim in the sea before dinner. We stayed at the 3* Hotel Delle Rose, which was very pleasant. The 4* Residence La Francesca also looked good.

I concur---CT in May.

Not even a comparison in my eyes-CT

You don't need to stay in the CT. Lots of people recommend staying in Santa Margherita Ligure, which is a quick train ride north of the CT -- and close to Portofino (google images). There are other pleasant towns north and south of the CT. We stayed in Camogli, just north of SML, an interesting town also on the train line.

Concur with other posters who've suggested you go w/ CT option. Further I'd say to consider another very pleasant town that's close to Cinque Terre -- Portovenere.

Frankly, I'm surpised the Bob the Nav didn't mention it in his response. From Portovenere, you can take a boat to the CT towns .... it's a short ride to Riomaggiore (can't recall exact time, maybe 15 minutes?).

http://cruises.about.com/cs/europe/a/portovenere.htm

Thanks to all for your answers to my Cinque Terre/Genoa question.
BarbaraH - yes, I'm from the Jersey Shore, actually Longport, and Margate. So, we are taking all your wonderful advice and spending the last 2 days near Cinque Terre. Since we'll still have a car, will staying in a hotel outside the 5 towns be the best way? Please weigh in on your favorite places that we could also park the car and leave it before returning to hotel near MXP airport?
Thanks again to all!

We stayed in Rapallo and loved it. I would stay there or SML, or someplace other than CT, and visit the CT for a day. annie

My cousin lives in Longport so we visit there often! Small world as they say!! Right, if you have a car, you can't actually stay in the CT. As I said, we stayed in Levanto which I'd highly recommend. We rented a villa, but there seemed to be a fair number of (seemingly) nice little hotels and it will literally put you at the door to the CT.

BarbaraH - Did you have a car at that point on your trip.
What street in Longport? I grew up at 4 North 36th St. We have a house now on South Andover in Margate, where we spend the summer, leaving the heat in DAllas, Tx. LOL!

Margategirl... no advice on your trip but had to say I spent summers in Margate as a child and have wonderful memories... Is Lucy still there???

dawnnoelm
Yes, Lucy is still there! Years ago the town raised money to move her to the present site and fix her up. My carpenter talks about when he was a kid shooting pellets into her rear end for fun. She is all fixed up now, and facing the ocean near Washington Ave. and the beach. It is open to the public in the summer. Still a nice small town. Fewer and fewer renters as many of the small houses are gone with condos and townhomes in place. We just lost a landmark restaurant, Maloney's on Wash. Ave., a cheap, but good food place, cash only for all the years. Owner sold the land for condos. Probably took 10 people to haul out all the cash he was hiding, LOL!

I'm a NJ Forked River guy. We spent last September in Rapallo. Beautiful place to stay. Ferries from Rapallo to Santa Marghuerita Liguria and Portofino. Trains to Genoa and all the Cinque Terra towns. Some great restaurants.