ms_magellan

Opinions please...is it a feasible to do a day trip from our villa in Gaiole in Chianti to Cinque Terre. I think it's too far, but one of our travel partners really wants go. We will have a rental car.

However, she is willing to forego Cinque Terre if we can find an alternative day trip near the sea. We were considering Viareggio, but is that also too far? I'm open to suggestions.

cigalechanta

topping for ms

chicgeek

I can't imagine a day trip from Chianti to the Cinque Terre. What is the point of such a marathon day? The beauty of the Cinque Terre is to spend some time there, hiking or boating between the towns. Are you just looking for checkmarks on your "must see" list? There are windy road involved here, beyond just expressways.

Hagan

We did that once, from a little town 12 KM west of Florence. It didn't look all that far on the map! The whole day was a big mistake. Once you leave the highway, the roads are twisting and (we thought) perilous. Once there, my husband and the other couple with us did nothing but look back up at the mountains, searching for another route out. They asked every store clerk, waiter, etc., and all said "One way in, one way out."
Needless to say, none of us really enjoyed what we were seeing, as we were rushed and anxious about the trip back.

Never again! It just wasn't worth it.

skatterfly

I wouldn't do it if you're going to just go for the day and return to Chianti that same night. Your hikes alone will take a couple hours, plus if you're parking a car you're not going to just drive up to a trail and start hiking... so that's more time on the logistics. Then you'll want to at least see one village... that's part of the charm of the Cinque Terre villages.

Why don't you just spend a night or two of your stay at Cinque Terre... leave your luggage at the villa in Gaiole... pack an overnight back and some hiking shoes... and visit Cinque Terre as an overnight (or better, 2 nights).

I would say... if you want to only spare one night, I could imagine hitting the road early from Gaiole, getting to CT by 11 am or noon (so you can find lodging... if you want to do the affite camere), then wander around a village or two using the trains or the ferry between the villages. The next day... you could plan to do your hiking starting early in the morning... stop in a village for lunch or take a wonderful picnic lunch somewhere... hike on to another village... or head home. If you can spare a second night, then that night you could go back to your room, clean up, wander out to dinner, and enjoy another dinner by the sea with your friends.

I don't know how long you're staying in Chianti, but Cinque Terre (for all the people who will say it's overtouristed) is a breath of fresh air from the gorgeous hills of Chianti. (You won't imagine that Italy can continue to get more enchanting and more beautiful.) They're seaside fishing villages with beautiful colored buildings and mostly pedestrian villages... and you'll get wonderful seafood, pesto, limoncino, and gorgeous sea views. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Chianti area, but if I had an opportunity to easily (though not quickly) reach the Cinque Terre on my trip, I'd do it. I've been there 3 times already and I plan on visiting my next trip, even if I only go for a day or two.

Viareggio is probably closer by driving, but not as picturesque. And either way... those roads of the chianti highway and western Tuscany are a bit small and windy, then you go towards the sea. There's not a big main fast highway to get you there direct. I haven't driven it myself, but my guess is it would probably take around 3-4 hours driving. Can someone else confirm that?

Of course, if your travel partners really want to do it and you don't, you could split up for a few days.

rbrazill

I agree with the others, it's too far for a day trip, and you don't want to drive back late at night. Just curious, though, in which villa are you staying in Gaiole? We stayed in Il Poggione four years ago and loved it. Gaiole is a very nice town. Try to get down to the village for breakfast in the early morning.

ms_magellan

ttt

ms_magellan

Chicgeek - The reason for trying to squeeze in Cinque Terre for a day trip is that a friend of a friend just returned from Italy and highly recommended this area.

RBrazill - we're staying near Gaiole in the Agriturismo "Le Trappoline."

Skatterfly - hadn't thought of splitting up for a couple of days so they can go to CT and I could stay more local. I just may do that and get an additional rental car for a day or two.

Et al -- thanks to you all for reminding me about "keeping it simple." I've done whirlwind day trips in the past and ended up exhausted and cranky -- and you're right, it wasn't worth it.

Thanks for your advice,
-Ms. Magellan