We are a young couple planning our second trip to Italy for 10 days at the end of May (last summer we had a trip Rome-Naples-Capri - we loved it!!!). We are flying in/out of Milan (staying for 1 or 2 days), taking train to Florence (staying for 2 or 3 days). Please help with suggestions for the rest of our trip (5 or 6 days)! We are looking for a nice little village by the sea - to spend some time at the beach, walk around, maybe do some day-trips to nearest cities. I was thinking about Cinque Terre, but I'm not sure about such choice. Maybe there is a nice village by the sea at the coast of Tuscany - near Pisa and Lucca (would love to see them as well).
Looking forward to your suggestions!

I spent 4 days north of Milan on a lake not the ocean. The lake Como area is really beautiful .We chose Bellagio I thought it was the nicest part of my trip. I flew into Milan and took the train to Bellagio. We also did the Cinque Terre , but we found it loaded with tourist,I felt it lost something . compared to Positano which was not as crowded.The train station in Milan has some english speaking windows which did help. I must say Florence was a disappointment I found the city dirty with many homeless drinking and urinating especially close to the Uffizi gallery area.Beware around the Ponte Vecchio Gelatto venders rip tourist off by charging them 18 euros for 2 cups of the stuff, warning make sure prices are posted and you see the signs before you buy. When he tried ripping me off I dropped the cones and sais scusa andleft bye bye frodoe. Good luck and be alert.

Lilminkey: You give a whole new dimension to the term "Ugly American"...

I had a really nice time in Florence. Florence is much less dirty than Rome in my opinion, and with any "big" city you can expect to see homeless people. There is so much to see, and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Like in any country you have to be careful about being "ripped off," that's not just specific to Florence. I hope you have a fabulous time!
I wasn't by the coast much so I don't have any recommendations, but I wanted to put your mind at ease about Florence

Hi I,

I agree with irishprincess.

I disagree with Eloise.

Ira:

I can live with that.

I agree with Ira.

I would enthusiastically recommend Santa Margherita Ligure, a beautiful coastal town that is only a few hours by train from Pisa ( and Pisa is about a 30 min. cab ride from Lucca.)

To get there from Florence ( this is the part I'm not sure of!) I think you'd have to train to Pisa, then catch a second train from Pisa- Genoa, and, finally, a local train to Santa Margherita Ligure.

We had a fantastic time in Santa Margherita two years ago- it's just a lovely, small city- totally walkable, and within easy reach of Portofino, Camogli and Cinque Terre. You could easily base there and find plenty to do for 5-6 days.

If you'd like hotel recommendations, just post again!

Hi Inese,

I would also recommend Santa Margherita Ligure. Very nice small town (not a village) and very handy for visiting Portofino, Cinque Terre, and others. We were there for 3 nights and would have loved or 2 more.

Buon viaggio!

Thank you very much for suggestions!

Weadles, Dayle - I would appreciate your hotel suggestions in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Maybe someone could comment on selection of staying in Monterosso vs Santa Margherita Ligure. I would appreciate hotel suggstions in Monterosso, as well.

By the way, is weather at the end of the May suitable for relaxation at the beach? (I know the air temperature is around 25C, but what about water temperature?).

Inese,

We, and many Fodorites, have stayed at Hotel Laurin. It's a nice 3*, right on the marina. Ask for a room with a private terrace facing the marina.

Thank you, Dayle!

Perhaps you might like to consider Lido and get to spend time in Venice as a bonus. Also, I'm another poster who loves Florence. I've been three times and still feel I haven't scratched the surface.

Inese:

Insofar as where to stay in Monterosso, check out the Villa degli Argentieri (Villa Cinque Terre). Deluxe doubles at this beautiful 3* ideal location are well priced. You can find them on the Initaly website: http://www.initaly.com

Buon viaggio.

I agree about SML for what you seem to want. I also agree with Dayle about the Laurin, but also look at Hotel Jolanda. In Monterosso, the Villa Steno is your best bet.

Thank you, Margaretlb! Though I really love Venice, the reason why we are skipping it this time, is that I've been there already twice.

Tenderfoot, thank you, I'll check it out!

Bobthenavigator, thank you. I've heard about Villa Steno several times here on Fodors. I wrote them two e-mails during last two days, but still haven't got any reply. I loved the pictures on web site of this hotel. I would love to stay there, but can't get through to them! I'm definately considering Cinque Terre (Monterosso).

Any other suggestions on lovely town by the sea (Tuscany or Italian Riviera) and nice, small hotel somewere close to the beach?

Inese,

It's slow season in Cinque Terre. Don't worry if Villa Steno doesn't get back to you right away. It might be a week or two if they are closed for their own vacation!

ttt

We love the town of Forte di Marmi just north of Lucca on the beach. It's almost like the New York Hamptons with beautiful beaches, great food and great shopping. Also, it's just south of Cinque Terre so that you could go for a daytrip if you chose.