My wife and I are taking our first trip to Italy and she really wants to shee the countryside on the way to Cinque Terre from Florence. She wants to rent a car and drive there. I have heard that it's a beast to drive directly into Cinque Terre. I have read that the best way is to drive to La Spezia and then take the train from there. If this is the best option, would we still be able to enjoy the countryside of italy, or is driving essential? We are going in June!

You can see the countryside really well from a train. There are big comfy seats and big picture windows. The scenery just flows by. Nobody has to ignore the scenery in order to keep their eyes on the road and on the Italian drivers. And the toilet is at the end of the car.

And you don't want or need a car in the Cinque Terre. (BTW have you heard about the floods there? Vernazza was badly affected and part of the path is closed.)

If you stick to the train, you won't have to find the rental car office in La Spezia, making sure you're there during its open hours, and then find your way to the train station.

I agree that the train is the best option this spring. There was massive flooding in CT in October. I assume that the towns will be in good shape but I don't know about the roads coming down.

The other great part about the train is that the train ride from La Spezia to these beautiful towns is tunnels and then spectacular ocean views..... sit on the left side of the train!!

Has anyone heard what the current status is of the Cinque Terre, particularly Vernazza? I was following closely at the time of the disaster, but haven't heard much of an update since then.

We were originally planning a trip to Vernazza for July of 2012. We had our hotel room reserved and everything, but after hearing what happened we decided to reschedule. We hope to visit sometime soon (maybe next 4 years). Would love to hear an update on the area.

By all means, take the train. You don't want a car in FLorence and you can't use on in Cinque Terre. It is much easier to enjoy the countryside from the train than from a car with all of the distractions of driving in Italy. And keep a close watch on conditions in CT before you decide where to go.

Only residents and relief workers are allowed into Vernazza every day. Will probably be this way for quite some time. Still very little basic services and continues to be unsafe.

The other villages are fine (except old town of Montorosso) but some trails and roads are damaged.

Even if all the roads were fine, I would still recommend taking the train ---all the way.

G00d info for Vernazza on www.savevernazza.com