or2nh4me2

Flying into Venice 6/19, out of Florence-6/29.

We are 3 adults/1 child. Enjoy activities (walk/bike/explore), culture, art, some museum time is from fine but we want to balance it with other activities.

Would like to use only trains/busses but would consider a car rental for part of the trip.

We are looking at a few days Verona before the opera season starts 6/23, and a few days Cinque Terre. The rest of time is open but we would like to get to CT around 6/25 so we cannot venture too far. We are considering Lake Garda (malcesine?) but we are concerned about how to get from there to CT. Thought about renting a car from Verona to CT but we could not drop it off Sunday because the La Spezia train station rental office is closed?

Help! Suggestions for itinerary? TIA

or2nh4me2

FYI we went to Venice Florence Bologna Siena on our last trip to Italy, so we would like to explore other areas...

bamafam

How old is your child? That makes a big difference.

or2nh4me2

She's 11yo and did very well adjusting when we went to ireland earlier this year.

bamafam

That's helpful. Cinque Terre is going to be crazy crowded that time of year. Have you thought about simply spending a week in Tuscany? It's magical with kids. I would base somewhere you can easily get to Florence/Siena and some of the hill towns, depending on what appeals. Caveat is that you'll need a car.

or2nh4me2

That's a thought Bamafan!

MonicaRichards

On lake Garda is Gardaland and Sirmione, two very nice places! Your daughter would appreciate Gardaland for sure.

tuscanlifeedit

2 nights Verona

3 nights Lake Garda

2 or 3 nights Lucca w/ daytrip to Pisa

End in the CT from 25th (although 4 nights there in high season seems like a lot to me; do you already have a rental lease or a need to be there on the 25th?)

I worked this out thinking of training, not driving, on the latter part of the trip.

You could train from Venice to Verona.

Pick up a car when leaving Verona.

Drive to Garda (easy drive) or seomeplace else.

Drive to Lucca and leave the car upon arrival.

Train to the CT.

PalenQ

We are considering Lake Garda (malcesine?) but we are concerned about how to get from there to CT.>

easy by train - via Milan - change there for trains to the two rail heads on Lake Garda- each has boats or buses to anywhere on the lake. Descenzano is the first one and Pescheria del Garda the second rail head.

Then train to Venice or Verona (Verona is before Lake Garda)

For lots on Italian trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. www.trenitalia.com is the official site of Italian Railways- book ahead on fast trains and save a lot of euros.

or2nh4me2

We do not have any accommodations set yet. We will have to finish in Florence as we depart from there on 6/29.

@tuscanlifeedit: I'm not sure 2 nights in Verona is enough if we want to do some day trips like Padua, and maybe Mantua? Also do you recommend Lake Garda over several nights in Tuscany? Love the idea of Lucca (with a side trip to Pisa) because we missed them last time around.

or2nh4me2

@Palenq: I'm not sure I understand you? We arrive Venice and depart Florence so if we go to Verona it makes sense to go first, then on to lake Garda? My concern is that lake Garda to CT is LONG 2hrs by boat + 1 1/2hrs to milan + 2hrs to Genoa, then another 1 1/2hrs to la spezia??? Way too long for one day by train I think...

tuscanlifeedit

or2, maybe you're trying to get in too many places, or I thought you were, thus the short stops I mentioned.

I like Verona and have been there three times. The last time was for opera and it was hideously hot (by my standards) but I think you could really enjoy a longer stay, especially with day trips.

I think I would recommend a stay in Tuscany over Garda. We've enjoyed Garda because it was on our way to someplace else and made a relaxing break. Once stayed in Sirmione on our way from the CT to Verona, and once in Riva del Garda on our way from Verona to the Dolomites. All that said, I am an art lover, and would pick Tuscany for churches and architecture over Lake Garda. I might pick Lake Como over either, for a nice mid lake stay and time to visit villas and gardens.

Lucca is OK, but the daytrip to Pisa is fun, and a ride north to the Garfagnana has some beautiful spots and interesting towns. It's Tuscany but very different from Chianti or the Val d'Orcia.

I basically was looking for an easy way to get you to the CT by train.

Me? I'd skip the CT and head right to Santa Margherita Ligure, with a day trip to the CT if you thinks it's necessary. Other good spots to visit are Camogli, San Frutuoso, Rapallo, Portofino, all from SML by boat, bus, car, train. You can train to Florence.

or2nh4me2

Lots of great info-I really appreciate it Tuscan!

PalenQ

sorry about mis-reading and yes Verona to Monterosso, first CT village coming from Milan takes 5 hours on the fastest connection.

Maybe break journey in Milan - see the Duomo and Last Supper and stay there or continue on later.

But yes a long train ride