Cirque Terre and Florence for 8 days
Jul 31st, 2011, 12:24 PM
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Cirque Terre and Florence for 8 days
We will be going to Florence and Cirque Terre for 8 days the last week of September 2011 for our anniversary. I enjoy architecture and the "feel" of places, taking in the culture and people and scenery, farm fresh food, walking and art. I have lived in a few foreign countries. My boyfriend likes to see all the sites! Go go go. I'd like to stay in Cirque Terre, walk to all 5 villages without rushing, see the "sites" and possibly take the boat to Portofino.
1. How much time should we spend in Cirque Terre?
2. Can we reach Cirque Terre on the same day we travel from the east coast of the U.S?
3. How much time do we need to see the sites in Florence and also wander around to take in the city ?
4. How about renting a car to drive to Lucca and visiting one quaint hill town for a day trip from Florence?
5. Can anyone recommend an in-country travel agency? We used a terrific travel agency based in Sifnos, Greece to arrange in-country travel and accommodations for a family vacation a few years back.
Thanks!
1. How much time should we spend in Cirque Terre?
2. Can we reach Cirque Terre on the same day we travel from the east coast of the U.S?
3. How much time do we need to see the sites in Florence and also wander around to take in the city ?
4. How about renting a car to drive to Lucca and visiting one quaint hill town for a day trip from Florence?
5. Can anyone recommend an in-country travel agency? We used a terrific travel agency based in Sifnos, Greece to arrange in-country travel and accommodations for a family vacation a few years back.
Thanks!
Jul 31st, 2011, 01:45 PM
#2
>>>2. Can we reach Cirque Terre on the same day we travel from the east coast of the U.S? <<<
What airport?
>>>4. How about renting a car to drive to Lucca and visiting one quaint hill town for a day trip from Florence? <<<
Lucca is on the train line. No need for a car. There are lots of other hill towns available by train or bus. Just depends on which town you want to visit.
>>>5. Can anyone recommend an in-country travel agency?<<
This board is pretty much DIY. Can't imagine needing a travel agent for what you've listed.
What airport?
>>>4. How about renting a car to drive to Lucca and visiting one quaint hill town for a day trip from Florence? <<<
Lucca is on the train line. No need for a car. There are lots of other hill towns available by train or bus. Just depends on which town you want to visit.
>>>5. Can anyone recommend an in-country travel agency?<<
This board is pretty much DIY. Can't imagine needing a travel agent for what you've listed.
Jul 31st, 2011, 05:41 PM
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<i>1. How much time should we spend in Cirque Terre?</i>
It's "CINQUE TERRE" (with an N not R), meaning 5 Lands/Villages.
How much time will depend on how much you want to see and do. But based on your time on the ground in total, I'd suggest 3-4 nights (2-3 full days). And again, depends which airport you're flying into (Rome? Pisa? Milan? Florence?) when you arrive and what time you arrive as to where you should start your trip.
<i>3. How much time do we need to see the sites in Florence and also wander around to take in the city ?</i>
What sights do you want to see? If you use Florence as a base and visit other Tuscan towns (either by train or car), then that will allow you to make the most of your time in the city on the days when things are open (eg many museums are closed Mondays, Central Market open during week unitl 2pm but closed Sundays, etc) and you can plan accordingly. 3-4 full days should do it based on your explanation above.
It's "CINQUE TERRE" (with an N not R), meaning 5 Lands/Villages.
How much time will depend on how much you want to see and do. But based on your time on the ground in total, I'd suggest 3-4 nights (2-3 full days). And again, depends which airport you're flying into (Rome? Pisa? Milan? Florence?) when you arrive and what time you arrive as to where you should start your trip.
<i>3. How much time do we need to see the sites in Florence and also wander around to take in the city ?</i>
What sights do you want to see? If you use Florence as a base and visit other Tuscan towns (either by train or car), then that will allow you to make the most of your time in the city on the days when things are open (eg many museums are closed Mondays, Central Market open during week unitl 2pm but closed Sundays, etc) and you can plan accordingly. 3-4 full days should do it based on your explanation above.
Jul 31st, 2011, 09:44 PM
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> I'd like to stay in Cirque Terre, walk to all 5 villages without rushing, see the "sites" and possibly take the boat to Portofino. How much time should we spend in Cirque Terre? .. My boyfriend likes to see all the sites! Go go go
IMO, 2 days would be sufficient (weather permitting). You could spend more, but probably only by irritating your boyfriend.
> How much time do we need to see the sites in Florence and also wander around to take in the city ?
You say you enjoy architecture and art. If so, 5 very busy, go-go-go days in Florence itself (i.e., not counting any day trips) would give you a decent exposure to the highlights of Florence's art and architecture. Some people would find that level of exposure in such a short time overwhelming. It's really your choice given what you want to see and experience.
IMO, 2 days would be sufficient (weather permitting). You could spend more, but probably only by irritating your boyfriend.
> How much time do we need to see the sites in Florence and also wander around to take in the city ?
You say you enjoy architecture and art. If so, 5 very busy, go-go-go days in Florence itself (i.e., not counting any day trips) would give you a decent exposure to the highlights of Florence's art and architecture. Some people would find that level of exposure in such a short time overwhelming. It's really your choice given what you want to see and experience.
Aug 3rd, 2011, 09:37 PM
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Yes. Cinque Terre! We will have 7 full days in Italy, leaving Sunday. 8 nights.
Thanks to all for the info. Perhaps Sun/Mon in Cinque Terre, Tues to Florence through Saturday, including a trip to a hillside city/village.
Here are some answers and more questions.
Airport: Based on the suggestion above arrive Saturday in either Pisa at 17:25 (18+ Hr flight) or Florence at 14:05 (15 hr flight).
Questions:
1.Does it make more sense to have dinner in Pisa or Florence on Saturday night if it doesn't make sense to reach Cinque Terre on Saturday?
2. How can I see train schedules from Pisa and Florence to assess travel times to Cinque Terre on Sunday?
3. Are there any suggestions of hill towns/cities I can research? Are these places so close you can drive to a hill town for an afternoon or for dinner (vs taking an entire day)?
4. Can I expect restaurants to serve farm fresh, unprocessed foods the end of September? As long as foods go from the farm to the table without preservatives, I'm fine. I could eat everything in Greece. Processing in the U.S. is a huge problem for me and eating out is arduous.
Sights in Florence: Visiting Tuscany and the Italian Mediterranean is a lifelong dream, but I didn't know I was going to have this opportunity until a week ago.
David and plenty of time in the Uffizi museum. Anything connected with Michaelangelo's life. Ancient sites. Beyond this, I must research. My b/f spend 3 weeks in Italy when he was 11, including Florence. Otherwise, I wouldn't consider including Cinque Terre in a 8-night stay in the Florence/Tuscany region.
Thanks to all for the info. Perhaps Sun/Mon in Cinque Terre, Tues to Florence through Saturday, including a trip to a hillside city/village.
Here are some answers and more questions.
Airport: Based on the suggestion above arrive Saturday in either Pisa at 17:25 (18+ Hr flight) or Florence at 14:05 (15 hr flight).
Questions:
1.Does it make more sense to have dinner in Pisa or Florence on Saturday night if it doesn't make sense to reach Cinque Terre on Saturday?
2. How can I see train schedules from Pisa and Florence to assess travel times to Cinque Terre on Sunday?
3. Are there any suggestions of hill towns/cities I can research? Are these places so close you can drive to a hill town for an afternoon or for dinner (vs taking an entire day)?
4. Can I expect restaurants to serve farm fresh, unprocessed foods the end of September? As long as foods go from the farm to the table without preservatives, I'm fine. I could eat everything in Greece. Processing in the U.S. is a huge problem for me and eating out is arduous.
Sights in Florence: Visiting Tuscany and the Italian Mediterranean is a lifelong dream, but I didn't know I was going to have this opportunity until a week ago.
David and plenty of time in the Uffizi museum. Anything connected with Michaelangelo's life. Ancient sites. Beyond this, I must research. My b/f spend 3 weeks in Italy when he was 11, including Florence. Otherwise, I wouldn't consider including Cinque Terre in a 8-night stay in the Florence/Tuscany region.
Aug 3rd, 2011, 09:59 PM
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> Does it make more sense to have dinner in Pisa or Florence on Saturday night if it doesn't make sense to reach Cinque Terre on Saturday?
I like to have a glass (or two!) of wine with dinner, and I do NOT like to risk driving if I've consumed alcohol, so I generally prefer restaurants that are within a leisurely walk of my hotel. I have encountered times when doing so was not convenient, and in those cases, I factor the cost of public transportation into my decisions.
I like to have a glass (or two!) of wine with dinner, and I do NOT like to risk driving if I've consumed alcohol, so I generally prefer restaurants that are within a leisurely walk of my hotel. I have encountered times when doing so was not convenient, and in those cases, I factor the cost of public transportation into my decisions.
Aug 3rd, 2011, 10:27 PM
#8
For trains, enter a date within the next 7 days to see all times/prices. Your trains will be mostly the slow R trains so no need to book in advance as they don't have seat reservations and there aren't any advance booking discounts. You must validate your ticket in the machine before boarding.
http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html
http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html
Aug 4th, 2011, 03:48 AM
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If you are flying to Florence which is a shorter flight why not stay there the first few days and then go on to the Cinque Terre to relax.
I have been to the Cinque Terre several times and have found plenty to do or just not do and healthy fresh food to eat, hiking, boat trips to the other CT towns and Portofino, Portovenere etc. Its a very chilled place and you will feel the better of a few days there. I remember once going to Florence after being there for a few days and the city pace, heat and crowds were a bit of a shock but that was the middle of August!
Ive used Trenitalia - you can book in advance and print off your ticket for showing on the train - you dont need to validate in the train station with this ticket. I did this for the Pisa to Monterosso train in April this year. This was a direct train - didnt need to change at Le Spezia - only need to do that with the slow train but do check the timetable to make sure you get the direct train.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD
Have a wonderful time.
I have been to the Cinque Terre several times and have found plenty to do or just not do and healthy fresh food to eat, hiking, boat trips to the other CT towns and Portofino, Portovenere etc. Its a very chilled place and you will feel the better of a few days there. I remember once going to Florence after being there for a few days and the city pace, heat and crowds were a bit of a shock but that was the middle of August!
Ive used Trenitalia - you can book in advance and print off your ticket for showing on the train - you dont need to validate in the train station with this ticket. I did this for the Pisa to Monterosso train in April this year. This was a direct train - didnt need to change at Le Spezia - only need to do that with the slow train but do check the timetable to make sure you get the direct train.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD
Have a wonderful time.
