We (late-40s couple) are in the early stages of planning a first-time trip to Italy for May 2007, and are looking for any kind of input re itinerary. We will be flying in/out of Milan (more-than- likely...depends on FF miles), and will only have 9 or 10 days, so we don't want to overdo and plan to see TOO much. Both of us are hikers/outdoorsy people, and our number one incentive for this trip was reading an article re the beauty and wonder of 'cinque terre' region, so that is our only absolute stop. But, we're not sure how much time to spend there, and what other cities/areas we could combine with this. I have seen some tours that spend 5-6 days in cinque terre area, and some that spend one. So many of the guided tours just seem too hop-on-and-off-the-bus to us, and basically too inactive. But, it would be nice to split the trip up...some history and some hiking. What else could be worked in in a 9-10 day itinerary. Pisa? Florence? Tuscany area? We are not adverse to using a tour company/travel agency if someone knows of one with special interest/experience with re cinque terre area or of any (guide)books that might outline a nice itinerary. Other criteria:

(1) we will most likely NOT be driving, so accessibility to other transportation/trains will be necessary.
(2) we are not gourmets, nor do we require 5 star hotels.
(3) our Italian vocabulary presently consists of menu translations

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Loved Sienna, magical city.

Don't worry excessively about your lack of Italian language skills.

In addition to Florence, you might research Venice.

philsbert1 - we did a No. Italy vacation in May this year and 2 weeks and change barely seemed enough to venture to the Lake Como region, the Cinque Terre and then include visits to Venice and Florence. You're in a great spot to explore the lakes upon arrival and there are some fine walking trails around & above Lake Como - I assume the other lakes will have great walks too. As much relaxation and fun as we had in Vernazza - I'd have loved to spent a couple of nights in a few of the CT towns, maybe Levanto and even Genoa. Don't underestimate getting back to Milan for your flight out - we stayed near the Milano Centrale station and took the airport shuttle bus VERY early in the a.m. If you haven't experienced the Italian Riviera, there are some very nice walks above Alasio - and it's reachable by train in the time frame you have. So... stay by the ocean, or go inland? You'll have plenty of responses to help you decide - I'll have to experience the Tuscan countryside for myself on a future trip. oh, and try the CT "super thread"... just search on Cinque Terre Trails

btw - you have plenty of time to get conversational with your Italiano. yep, this topic has been covered exhaustively here, too!

Yes...Venice would make more sense logistically than Florence. I will need to find a map of Italy with train routes on it.

philsbert1---better than a map showing the routes, try using one of the rail websites that shows routes and schedules. I like the German one, www.bahn.de. It will show all the trains in Italy, and you can choose to use it in English. Using this, you will see, for example, that it is very quick and easy to get to Como from Milan. You can also put in one of the Cinque Terre towns, Vernazza for example, and see that there are two different routes there from Milan, one through Genoa and one through Pisa. And there is a fast train from Milan to Venice. Once you see the routes and time involved, it is much easier to plan a trip.

Thanks so much for the web site and insight! I will check it out and that will help immensely with figuring out timing. I know up front I can't see all that I want to in such a short period of time. I want to make this enjoyable.

Hi phils,

You will get many recommendations. Maybe my experience will give you some ideas.

We stayed in Santa Margherita Ligure at Hotel Laurin (3*) for 3 nights in mid-May. Really liked the town! From there we did a couple of day trips.

One day we trained to the furthest south village (1 hour), Riomaggiore and hiked from there to Vernazza. Started hiking about 10:30 am and stopped for a long lunch in Corniglia (fabulous). By the time we reached Vernazza, we were ready for a gellato and a train ride back. We wished we had started hiking by 9am as it was slightly warmer than normal (85 degrees F).

Another day we took the short boat ride over to Portofino (earliest) before the tour/cruise crowds arrived and enjoyed a little window shopping, wandering, found a cliff side sculpture garden, then planted ourselves at a marina side cafe for a long, leisurely lunch with lots of vino! Fun watching the huge yaghts wiggle into the tiny harbor.

We would have really liked another day in the area, but couldn't change hotel res on short notice.

Hope this helps! Buon viaggio!

You're welcome! We are hikers too---we go to Switzerland and the Dolomites for that. Haven't made it to Cinque Terre yet, because we can only go in the summer when it is crowded. You are lucky to be going in May. Take a look at hiking in the lakes region too---maybe with Varenna as a base. And Venice is perfect for people who love walking, if you like cities with lots of history.

I always try to plan a nice compact trip, with a minimum of long transfers, and a minimum of 3 nights in each place. You could do the same, slthough you might want more than 3 nights in Cinque Terre if that is the focus of your trip. Maybe someone who has been there could advise on that?

Philsbert,
If you are hikers and lovers of the outdoors, you will LOVE Cinque Terre. We recently returned from a trip that included 3 nights there (stayed in nearby Levanto.) Keep in mind that three nights in one hotel is really only two days left to enjoy the area. There is so much hiking/walking to do that 2 days will only leave you wanting more. Besides the trail that parallels the sea, there are trails up the hill from Levanto and other towns, to tiny towns up in the valleys. I regretted not being able to do those, but at least I have ample reason to go back!! As a wonderful extension from 5Terre, I would strongly recommend Lucca, which I found absolutely magical. It's maybe about 2 hours by train from 5Terre. Bikes everywhere, and available for rent as well. The wall that surrounds the village/city is about a 2.5 mile walk--wide enough to be considered a park. The city is rich with history and art as well. It's like a miniature Florence. You will have a great time, no matter what. Don't worry about the language. Everywhere we went people spoke English. They made it TOO easy for us. Just be sure to learn the pleasantries and you will be fine.

Philsbert-from Milan, the ES takes exactly two hours to reach Florence-and two hours more from Florence to Venice-so you could do, and should do, both, easily.