Sleeping in Cinque Terre vs. Florence
 

I was told that I can take the train when I arrive in Florence at 7:15am to Viareggio (cinque Terre), 1 stop in Pisa, taking about 2 hours. I figure I would get off train in one of Cinque Terre cities well before noon and spend day walking around. Should I try and take train back to florence or stay overnight in one of the 5 cities in Cinque Terre Region? I will be looking for hostels/cheap accomidations as well.

Also, do you know what the nighlife is like in Florence and Naples area? I would like to be near areas that are fairly lively since im only 24 and on my own.


Thanks,
Adam

Cinque Terre is "do-able" in one day if you take the early train, but then there is something about the ambience of spending a night and waking up in Cinque Terre as well, and if you are single, who knows who you will meet there? As for rooms, if you arrive early enough in the day you should be able to find a room even in high season, just go with the flow!

Adam - stay in Cinque Terre. You haven't told us how much time you have for Florence/CT, but after spending the day wandering around, you'll want to hang out for sunset, dinner (with wine, of course), and have the freedom to spend the night. The towns of the CT are small, but have a large tourist population, so I'm sure you'll easily find some people to hang out with.

As for nightlife in Florence and Naples, I don't know specifics, but any larger city has fun nightlife - I'm sure you'll have plenty of options!

Adam, Viareggio is not the CT or even very close. You may mean Riomaggiore or Vernazza.

Adam,

I hope you are planning to go back to Florence after you have seen the Cinque Terre. While the quaint villages are very picturesque and all, Florence is one of the great cities of the world and well-worth exploring. Also, you are more likely to find the night life to your liking.

When in Pisa, be sure to stick around long enough to hear the demonstration of the acoustics in the Baptistry. Amazing!

P.S. Bob the Navigator is so right about Viarreggio not being in the CQ. I hope you have not planned your trip based on this misperception!