4 of us are going to Rome for 3 days and then we were going to Cinque Terre for 3 days. we would leave Cinque Terre and go to Nice for 4 days. should we rent a car or take a train? Is Cinque Terre easily accessible by car?

For the trip you describe you'd be better off by train. Cars are wonderful to explore tiny villages and countryside. But the Cinque Terre is not easily accessible by car. In fact we had a car on the trip that included the CT and we opted to stay in Camogli, which did have decent parking, and then take the train down to the CT towns. And you don't need a car in Rome or Nice. I would definitly do that trip by train.

Hi A,

You don't want to rent a car in Italy and drop it in France, because of very high drop off fees.

You don't want a car on the CT.

You don't want a car in Rome.

You don't want a car in Nice.

Train schedules, prices and tickets are at www.trenitalia.com

Isn't a bus (coach) in the potential equation? I am really amazed that folks here don't travel by bus (coach ) more often. In my opinion you have much more likelihood of actually talking to someone on the bus AND you get to look around as the land unfolds.

The bus is a very nice option IMHO.

Absolutely the train. We found them great - always running to time, and plenty of them. You definitely don't want a car on the Cinque Terre, no way.

>Isn't a bus (coach) in the potential equation?

No. In most cases, in the continental Europe (except Spain/Portugal), a bus (coach) is NOT in the potential equation.

>I am really amazed that folks here don't travel by bus (coach ) more often.

How, if there are none? Or do you mean a tour?

>AND you get to look around as the land unfolds.

And on a train you don't?

Thank you all so much! i am all for taking a train-but my friends who have never been to Europe decided they wanted a car. So thank you for helping me out here.

Anna