We're planning a 3 day trip to Cinque Terre the end of March. Should we fly into Malpensa and take a bus to Genoa - or - should we fly to Nice and take the train to Santa Marguerita Ligure? I thought to take the bus service from Malpensa because it takes 1 hr to get to the train station from the airport. Has anyone taken this bus to Genoa? How long is the ride? <BR> We planned to make SML our base. We're looking forward to good walks and great food. Any travel and room suggestions are appreciated.

We stayed in Vernazza and loved it. There are lots of tourists during the day but when they all leave for bigger cities in the evening it's wonderful. We stayed in a room overlooking the harbor and it was great. Have fun!

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It seems like going to Nice and getting a train to SML is easier than getting a bus to Genoa, then switching to a train to get to SML

We stayed in Manarola in the Cinque Terre and also in Santa Margherita Ligure in March last year. Both lovely but SML is a real town with roads and traffic and lots of restaurants and hotels. All the CT villages are quite small. In SML we stayed at the Hotel Fiorina which was good, very central, 5 min walk to the waterfront and 10 min walk from the train station. It was clean, 3 star, friendly people at reception.<BR>A walk we really enjoyed was - train to Corniglia, walk up the road (easier) or the stairs to the start of the walk then on to Vernazza, about 2 hours leisurely walk with great views of the other villages along the way. Gelati, vino or a meal in Vernazza then train back to SML.<BR>Kay

It's easy to take a train from Milan to Monterosso, but I didn't realize that it's an hour from the airport to the train station. If that's true I'd take the bus to Genoa. I stayed in Vernazza and loved it. I got there on a Sunday and stayed for a few days w/out big crowds, but heard there were tons of people there on the weekend.

I live here in Milan, so let me help you out. Flying into Malpensa and taking a bus is fine. The bus ride from the station to Genoa will be around 2 hours. It is a two lane curvy road for the last 20 minutes, keep that in mind. But do-able. It probably will be fine. <BR>I think that flying into Nice and taking a train might be more scenic. Southern France looks similar to California, and is nice to see the comparison with Italy's coast. <BR>I think both would take about the same amount of time in the end, <BR>and would be fine, so it's up to you. I like the French way just to see something different.

Mel, thank you for your reply. I think we will be taking the train. I started getting motion sickness just reading your comments about the winding road the last 20 minutes. I've taken the train from Nice before, but only as far as Monaco. It will be pleasant to be able to get up and have a coffee while traveling. Train travel is my first choice through europe.<BR><BR>Is Santa Margherita Ligure the best choice for a base while exploring the CT?

I recently stayed in Santa Margherita Ligure for 3 nights, to use as a base for the area (10 minute bus to Portofino, 1 hour to northern most part of CT... I also spent an afternoon in Camogli, 10 minutes North via the train). I stayed at Hotel Laurin, part of Best Western. 4 star, clean, 10 minute walk to train station. enjoy!!!