I am going to Italy (first time) this March w/ a friend. We will arrive in Florence on the 17th of March. We plan to spend 4-6 days in Florence/Tuscany, then take a train to Venice for about 3 days, then head over to the Cinque Terre for 3 days. Most of it is open, we want to kinda "wing it". We're leaving from Milan on the 31st. My questions:
1. Just how cold is it gonna be? We want to hike the 15 miles of the Cinque Terre...

2. How crowded will it be? We don't want to reserve hotels for most of the trip so that we can go wherever adventure takes us. But I don't want our adventure to be not finding anywhere to sleep. Will this be a problem around Easter?

Thanks!

We are visiting Italy same time and are flying out of Milan on 31st also. We were orginally planning on staying in Levanto Near cinque terre because I could find a room there but another couple wanted to go with us and the hotel did not have 2 rooms (in November) so we are staying in Lake Maggiore instead. I had a diffcult time finding a room on Maggiore also because of Easter. It sounds like you are planning on cinqueterre close to Easter.I would send out a couple of emails to hotels in cinque terre to see if they have a room available. I think it is going to be very crowded in cinque terre. Most of hotels are charging high season rates. If you are planning on staying at higher priced hotels you will probably be able to find a hotel easier. The hotel I made reservations for in November in Milan is now offering same room I reserved early for 50 euro more. Easter is 27th and Easter monday 28th March

Springtime (Easter) is very windy and blustery in Italy and especially in the Cinque Terre. Plan on bringing a warm coat (with lining if possible). I usually wear my leather pants coat with a warm scarf around my neck, along with silk longjohn leggings under my pants (Eddie Bauer sells them). The wind is especially felt on the water (if you take a 5Terre boat from village to village) and also up in the hills. If you plan to do any hiking, you will certainly feel it! There is on-and-off rainfall, interspersed with days of brilliant sunshine. Spring is one of my most favorite seasons in the Cinque Terre. Also, it is not that crowded during the Spring. There are several German tourists, but I saw very few Americans there. Obviously, places are closed on Easter and usually the day after, however, if you get your hotel secured prior to the date (Easter is Sunday, March 27 this year), you should be fine "winging it."

thanks zozozo & huitres... very helpful information. will start booking hotels immediately.

Anybody been to San Gimignanno? We were hoping to catch a bus from Florence for a nice daytrip. Siena is also on our list, as well as Lucca. Do you think we'll be able to fit all that in? (along w/ our main stops in Florence, Venice, & the 5T.) All I'm really interested in in Milan is the Cathedral. Just wanna stand outside & gawk, really, although it might be cool to go up on the roof.

I would definitely try to secure your hotels before leaving. I know, it leaves the "winging it" portion out of the equation, but you really don't want to be stuck somewhere with nowhere to stay. In the Cinque Terre, I would recommend Hotel Villa Argentina in Riomaggiore: http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Liguria.../index.uk.html They are open through Easter time (they only close in Feb). Alternatively, I stayed in a nice double room in Monterosso al mare 4 months ago for only 60 euros a night and really liked it too. Let me know if you need more information.

Yes, since you are basing yourselves in Florence for 4-6 days, you should be able to easily take the train to those other places for day trips (Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, etc). I have never rented a car, I rely only on train and bus travel and manage quite well (with my toddler too!).

Train schedules from Florence to Siena, SG, Lucca, etc are very frequent and easy. SG is a nice town, but very touristy. It feels even more so because of the more compact layout of the town. The entire streets are lined with souvenir shops. Lucca is one of my favorite places, walk around the circumfrence of the city walls if you get a chance (Napoleon's 2nd wife, Empress Eugenie, built them), shop in the open market adjacent to the San Michele church, etc.

Since you are leaving from Milano on the 31st, why not take an early train into Milano's centrale station, then catch a bus (or a taxi if you are tight on time) to the Duomo and see it. Since you have a full schedule in all these other places, you may not have much time for Milano, but at least allow yourselves a look at the Duomo before leaving. Buon viaggio!

I believe the Milan duomo exterior is covered due to restoration but you can still enjoy the interior. Maybe someone who has been recently can comment.