Can anyone recommend a good stopover for the night to break up this drive? How is finale ligure?

I can vouch for San Remo, and the Nyala Suites hotel, in particular.

NOT on the seaside itself - - sits high up o a hill with a great view of the Mediterranean (perhaps half a mile away).


I have mentioned San Remo often, because it can help solve the problem of an expensive drop charge for taking a French car to Italy (or vice versa) - - it's the closest "major" train-friendly destination with several car rental choices available right nearby.

Best wishes,

Rex

rex, thanks for the reply. San Remo is pretty close to Nice. Is there nothing of interest more around the half way point between Nice and Cinque Terre?

Is cinque Terre worthwile to have a car? It seems like a nice drive, being on the coast and all but I don't see too many posts about points of interest on the Italian Riviera other than Cinque Terre

Well, the more obvious midpoint is Genoa - - and ther are some fans of Genoa here. I have just never stopped there. It looks a bit like Bayonne, New Jersey to me, and I think it is not visited much by Americans.

And the "coastal" drive is NOT interesting. 154 tunnels and bridges. Yes, this is not a typo. The coastline for 50-100 miles looks like a big stack of rock "dishes" turned on edge as if in a dish drainer. And the road as been tunneled through one after another, with bridges between each "plate".

I have never been to Cinque Terre. I think you COULD have a car there, but I believe that it is generally considered a hassle and not an asset.

We did a single overnight between the two at Portofino. It is such a lovely spot, even though there really isn't much to it. Leaving Nice in the morning we were in Portofino in time for lunch, had all afternoon and evening (took a little boat ride around the point) and then headed out to Cinque Terre in the morning. It was perfect.

Don't drive and take the train. The drive is not scenic and is stressful. A car in CT is a big liability.

I can vouch for the tunnels. We just went though about 130 of them the other day on our retturn from CT to Milano via Genoa. No need for a car in CT. Trains run between all the towns and you can take some nice hikes between them, as well.

Try Noli. It is a very quaint fishing village smaller than Finale Ligure. Had a great meal at a family run restaurant on the main street next to the beach(fresh fish baked in olives was excellent) You do not need a car at Cinque Terra. All towns are are connected by frequent trains. I picked a car up at La Spezia(Avis), so It is available as a drop off. When are you going?

wow, I am shocked at the lack of scenery on this drive. Cpi I am going November 12 - November 30 (see post barcelona to venice with 2 kids).

Now, I am wondering if I shouldn't just drop the car off in Nice and then continue by train to Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. I definitely don't need a car in Florence and Venice. What on earth will I do in cinque terre with a stroller and 2 kids and luggage? Doesn't sound very good - sounds kind of hectic. The car is good since the kids sleep, have a portable vcr and keep themselves amused for a few hours.

Also, I have read that just about everything is closed this time of year - wondering if I should make CT at all?

Because of you're going in November, I'd take a pass on the Cinque Terre. A lot of the fun of the CT is going by boat from town to town and that won't be feasible if the wind is up. Why not devote that time to a Tuscan hilltown or two as you head toward Florence?