Need help with Italy itinery
 

My boyfriend and I are making our first trip to Italy together in a few weeks. Our plan was to spend a few days in Rome, head north to Siena/Florence for a couple of days, over to Cinque Terre for 3 or 4 nights, and then back to Rome for our final night (we fly out around noon the next day). We currently have 3 nights booked in Rome and 2 nights in Siena, but have had trouble booking in CT. (I'm sure it's because we waited until the last minute). I finally managed to reserve 2 nights in a nice B&B in Manarola but have an unbooked night before our room is available. I also have 2 nights to book following manarola -- I'm currently thinking about one more night on the coast and heading back to Rome for the final night or somewhere close to the city. Any recommendations on locations to stay before and after manarola? I'm inclined to stay on the coast and have been leaning toward either SML or portovenere -- but open to other ideas... Would love some place romantic and relaxing.

Unless you have a specific reason for wanting alot of time on the coast, I would suggest more time in Florence/Siena. If you want to do a lot of hiking I suppose you would want more time in the CT, but you can really see it, and do all or most of the hikes between the five villages in two days. On the other hand, Siena and especially Florence, have a lot to see. I didn't go to Florence/Siena when I first went to Italy because a lot of people told me they were "overrated" and "very touristy". Well, they have alot of tourists because there is a lot to see there. Both cities are wonderful, and not just for the museums, churches and the art. They both have a lot of atmosphere, beautiful architecture, great sights, interesting areas to walk around, etc. So I would take the extra couple of days you have and add it to that area, perhaps staying in each city for a couple of nights. I spent six days in Florence (with a day trip to Siena) and could have used more time.

The other suggestion I would have would be to spend the extra time in one or more smaller Tuscan towns, or perhaps Orvieto.

Since you have one more night open before you check into your B&amp;B in Manarola, why not spend another night in Siena/Florence? From there, go to 5T, and then go to the next location in Liguria (SML, Rapallo, Portovenere, ...). For that matter, would it be possible to book one consecutive set of 4 nights in <i>one</i> Ligurian town, rather than Manarola plus ____? It cuts down on schlepping this way.

I agree with tdyls. I would probably choose to stay all 4 nights in one place as opposed to breaking up the coastal towns. Otherwise, perhaps add the extra day to Rome or Siena?

I've never been to the Cinque Terre but if you are open to researching other places to stay while in the area, TexasAggie stayed in the Hotel Villa Steno in Monterosso and from her description it sounds wonderful. Here is her trip report link (The Twelve Days of Pizza) with the description of the hotel: http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...t=0&amp;screen

Good luck!
Tracy

Thanks everyone for the advice -- I am considering an extra night in Siena/florence, and/or finding a place in SML for 4 nights, but my boyfriend is very excited about the CT experience. I did look into Hotel Villa Steno, but they are fully booked too :(