Portofino-Florence?
 

We will be in Provence in the spring (business) and want to travel to both Portofino and Florence (and Venice, if that's feasible). WOuld others advise car or rail from those two points? Assuming car, are there points that shouldn't be missed between? Thanks

Margaret, A car would be better. Your <BR>itinerary really depends on time and <BR>where you will depart. Given a week and <BR>flying out of either Milan or Nice, I <BR>would suggest 3 destinations. The first <BR>stop would be on the coast but I would <BR>suggest either Santa Margherita or even <BR>Portovenere to stay for 2 nites. Then off to Tuscany but do not assume staying <BR>in Florence---probably 3 nites. Then, <BR>complete your trip with 2 nites at one <BR>of the Italy Lakes near Milan. I will <BR>suggest either Maggiore or Orta, both of <BR>which are about an hour from the Milan <BR>primary airport Malpensa. Given 10 days <BR>you could include Venice and the others <BR>Contact me if you need specifics.

Thanks, Bob, for the advice. I'm curious -- why do you suggest Santa M. over Portofino? and why should I not plan on Florence? Is it the crowd factor? I think we might opt for 10 days see Venice also..but I'm not sure how much time I will need to get back to Nice, say. Any thoughts on that? <BR>Thanks again, this is great help for me--Margaret

<BR>Margaret, <BR> <BR>I agree with Bob that Santa Margherita would be a more interesting 2 night stop than Portofino. <BR> <BR>Portofino is very small--once you've had lunch or a drink at one of the harborside cafes, walked to the top of the hill oppoosite the harbor to see the views, and spent an hour or two in the very overpriced stores --- you've done Portofino! Santa Margherita is a beauftiful town with many more activities and diversions than Portofino, and also without the pretensions. <BR> <BR>You can drive, bike or take the bus to Portofino (only about 4 kilometers)from Santa Margherita and have the advantages of a larger town, with more restaurant and hotel choices at far more realistic prices. <BR> <BR>Garage parking in Portofino was about $4.00 per hour--only residents can park on the street. Even postcards were double the price of other tourist areas!

Goergine said it better than I could. <BR>Portofino went Hollywood about 30 years <BR>ago and is like a movie set. If you want <BR>to see a quaint fishing village then go <BR>to Portovenere---it is what Portofino was back when. Florence is so filled with tour bus crowds you have to wait in <BR>line for 2 hours to see anything. I hate <BR>to be cynical, but you are too late to <BR>see the sites you picture in your dreams <BR>by at least 10 years. I know some great <BR>places that are yet unspoiled but you may not know the names. If you do know the names it may be too late. Let me know if you need to see the real Italy, <BR>but next year will be tough in the major <BR>art towns. I counted 42 tour busses in <BR>San Gimignano on a Tuesday in October. <BR>Do you get my drift? However, Italy is <BR>wonderful---you just need to know where. <BR>

If you're planning to drive or train it, and you go to Portovenerre, try to stop into some of the Cinque Terre. It isn't at all commercial and will reward you with real, plain folks, uncrowded historical sites, cheap and excellent food, homemade wine and olive oil...and the views are to die for!

I so appreciate the responses..I've already learned so much..Bob, I DO need to see the real Italy, so let me hear -- I'm sure others would benefit. We are going to go from the Riv. up to Northern Italy...I'm determined to see Venice...Actually, I DID see Florence @ 40 years ago, when I was 20..But my husband has never seen it. In fact, I was caught up in a Communist riot and overcome by tear-gas in the middle of Florence...then took off for Athens for a blissful week. Ah, those were the days! You think tour busses are a problem!! -- Margaret <BR>

Margaret, Do you have an hour?? I would <BR>need to know more to give you the best <BR>advise. However, get the car in France <BR>and make your first stop at Lake Orta <BR>then to Portovenere, then to Florence <BR>to drop your car. You do not want your <BR>car in either Florence or Venice. <BR>You would have to train to Venice and <BR>then probably back to Milan to fly out <BR>unless you use a Euro airline from Venice. Contact me if you want specific <BR>hotels and routing--I have planned this <BR>itinerary about 25 times. <BR>

I can attest for using Bob the Navigator. He helped us plan our trip to Italy this past September and his ideas were right on target. We did a car the entire trip and really had no problems. Parking in Florence was tight, but we did find a spot that was an easy walk to the main areas. Do not be afraid of using a car in Europe. There has always been a place to park. I also agree on Portofino. We stopped there on a cruise a few years ago and covered the town very quickly. Then grabbed a short bus ride to Santa Margarita with other friends that finished with Portofino very quickly. Portofino is beautiful, but not much to keep you busy. We drove right by it this year and explored the Carrara marble area instead. Florence: Get tickets to the hot stuff in advance. This really saved us time on this trip as the lines can get long. The advance tickets worked without a hitch. You can book them on the internet. Venice: You gotta go there. Spend the night and get the flavor after all the day trippers leave. It is an easy city to pick on, but one you will never forget. The drive to Venice from Florence is not that long. Make time for Venice. I also agree with Bob on Portovenere. A better town than Portofino. Have fun.

I'm not going to dispute anyone who has said that Portofino is not worth seeing, but I have to say that I thought it was the most beautiful little town I've ever laid eyes on. Beauty is beauty. <BR>But I've got a question for the highly reputed Bob the Navigator. I want to go back to Venice which was so beautiful, yet was much diminished by the huge crowds in every direction. Two questions: when is the best time to get reasonable weather combined with reasonable crowds, if ever. And, second, what would be a nice, quaint hotel that has a view overlooking a canal (however modest)for less than $300/night? Thanks in advance.

Joel, I agree that Portofino is a great <BR>place to visit---just don't stay there. <BR>I would rather stay in Santa Margherita <BR>or Portovenere or even Monterosso. <BR> <BR>As for Venice, I prefer the spring. I was there last in mid-April and it was <BR>very nice. Hotels are very subjective. <BR>If you want a real bargain check out <BR>the Hotel Gallaria next to the Accademia <BR>bridge---not fancy but great location for about $100. If you want better, and <BR>must be on the canal then go find the <BR>Rialto or Locanda Sturion. Both will be <BR>over $200 next year. The Bisanzio is <BR>also good value but a block off the water. Good luck ! Hard to go wrong in Venice excert at the wrong time.