Rome to Cinque Terre or Cinque Terre to Venice
 

Hi,

I am planning a trip to Italy early May, and wanted to see which path made more sense. We (2 adults - no kids) are planning on traveling by train, so which route would be the easiest and most efficient.

PLAN A
Rome - Cinque Terre - Florence - Venice - Rome

PLAN B
Rome - Florence - CT - Venice - Rome

PLAN C
Rome - Florence - CT - Florence - ROME

Thanks for any suggestions.

If you can do it fly into Venice, then go Florence, CT, and end up in Rome and fly out of there. No need to back track.

You can do it in reverse but many international flights leave very early from Venice so you can save some sleep if you go to Venice first.

You can actually visit CT from Florence if time is short.

If you haven't purchased your airline tickets yet, by all means do an open jaw (multicity) flight into Venice and out of Rome. You will save time and money. Visit CT from Florence but plan to stay at least one night so that you have time to see all of the towns and do some hiking.

I've already bought my Rome tickets. So I have to come back, no matter what. :-(

In that case, train to Florence on day one.

Rome--to Florence
CT
Venice
Rome

Hi Faree24, how long have you got for this trip and at what time of the year?

I was looking at train options from CT to Venice and it seemed like most trains had a stop in Pisa & Florence. That is why I thought it would make more sense to do: Rome - CT - Florence.

But I haven't had a chance to look into what the train options it would be for Rome to CT.

Rubicund - We are traveling the first week of May. My travel is pretty tight & I know I am trying to fit a lot into my schedule, but here it is:

Day 1: Arrive to Rome (9AM)
Day 2: Rome
Day 3: Rome
Day 4: Train to Cinque Terre
Day 5: CT day - take late train to Florence
Day 6: Florence
Day 7: Florence
Day 8: Take train to Venice
Day 9: Venice
Day 10: Rome - leave

Why did you ask?

With only 10 days including arrival and departure, it's really 8 days. If you've had a long overnight into Rome arriving early, then you won't take on board all you see till the following day. I'd miss out CT altogether and concentrate on your three main destinations.

It should still be busy in early May but not height of the season busy, so you can get around the main sights without waiting in long queues in all three places, making the most of your limited time. If you do miss out CT, then:

Rome 3 nights
Florence 3 nights
Venice 3 nights
Back to Rome to depart 1 night

Starrs, I dont think that statue was there when we did Riomaggiore to Vernazza 20 yrs ago! Im sure much has changed since then!


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