PalenQ

Yes I hiked or walked all the main trails between the 5 Lands in athletic shoes too - don't hassle with boots - I also hiked higher trails like TVoyageur with tennis shoes. Wet weather however can mean muddy trails and a bit slippery.

bvlenci

Of course, not all trails are the same, even within a category. Here is an information page about guided excursions, which also mentions footwear.

Remember that the trails that are orange on the original map whose link I provided are classified as being suitable for experts. I would consider hiking shoes a must for those. Even the "easy" trails have sections that are narrow, steep, and rocky. You probably know yourself how much ankle support you need.

Palenq hasn't been to the Cinque Terre for many years, so his advice should be taken with caution. The "main trails" he mentions include two that have been closed for years and one that has recently been reclassified as for "experts". Only one non-expert trail remains open of those "main" trails.

pattyroth

Thank you Tourjoursvoyager! That answers a question for me! I am willing to buy sturdy hiking shoes but will only take a carryon, so that would save a lot to take only lighter shoes for us all.

pattyroth

Thanks bvlenci, I plan to study the map as soon as I have time! Tomorrow maybe?

Fodorite018

Our DD is mid 20's now, but two of our trips to Paris were when she was 16 and 18. We did the macaroon class with Cookin' with Class and she loved it. It is just half a day, so plenty of time to do other things as well. We also did Versaille one day. We had the museum pass already, and made sure we were there early, so were one of the first people in line. Doing this made it so that when we were in the Hall of Mirrors, we were literally the only people in there besides security at the doors. We did not get to see as much of the gardens as we wanted as I managed to fall down some stairs there and really messed top my knee, but even in pure pain, I sucked it up as much as possible as we both wanted to see more.

PalenQ

See if possibility of renting hiking books once there to avoid lugging them around if only using in CT.

denisea

Totally second that the cheese class with Jennifer Greco/Paris by Mouth is phenomenal. Their neighborhood food tours are also fantastic.

pattyroth

Thank you mms! Great idea for Versailles as we have to go there! And I'll try to not fall!

pattyroth

Nice idea but where in the world would we inquire about renting boots, PalenQ?

pattyroth

denisea, I will discuss these with Taylor and check them out. Thx.

Fodorite018

Patty—yes, be careful on the stairs I ended up with knee surgery after that. While in Paris though, at least the pharmacists are great and can give you good stuff for pain lol.

Sberg

I just came back from two weeks in Tuscany and the most fun I had was taking a hot air balloon ride. The company is called Ballooning in Tuscany. We took it from Montisi but they also leave from Sienna. Talk about a great way to take pictures! Sounds like a fun trip but I can't imagine the crowds! Stay in Sienna not Florence. Too many people!!!

bvlenci

The main advantage of staying in Florence rather than taking a day trip from Siena is that you can see the city before the daytrippers arrive and after they leave. Anyway, Siena is pretty crowded, too.

I would stay away from Siena when they're having their Palio, July 2nd and August 16th, unless you're dying to see it. The crowds are enormous. By the way, there's an extraordinary palio coming up in October to honor the end of World War I .

PalenQ

Well I just floated the idea of renting hiking boots - I have no knowledge of that but know in some Swiss Alpine resorts to but don't know about CT - sure would not like to drag heavy hiking boots around.

magnoliamomof2

I agree that you should add more days to less towns. It gets tiring to be packing up and moving. We did a trip a few years ago to Italy with our teens. We did Florence, Cinque and Rome. Cinque, although crowded , is amazing. Stay there for sure so you can enjoy the area before all the tourist arrive and after they leave! I will say that we did a private cooking class in Florence, my kids LOVED it! We still make the meal and talk about what a great day that was! Maybe rent a house in Tuscany and visit Florence and Siena from there. Moving slowly is what Italy is all about! I am also planning a trip for June and keep changing my plan to minimize accommodation moves!

pattyroth

Okay, I talked to the fam and this is the latest we have planned. Open to your ideas. I added the days mostly to what we already have planned, except I discovered that they all really do want to see Pisa. So the idea so far is:
ROME: 3 nights
SIENA: 3 nights which allows for a day trip into Tuscany countryside
FLORENCE: 2 nights--so we can experience early mornings and evenings there
CINQUE TERRE: 3 nights--in Vernazza if I can find the right place to stay
PISA: 1 night
VENICE: 3 nights
PARIS: 5 nights

Actually, I am thinking Pisa might work for 1/2 day, and if we left CT in the early morning by train, we could see quite a bit and travel on a ways toward Venice in the afternoon, perhaps enjoying a new place briefly? Or we could spend the night in Pisa and leave the next morning for Venice. Any suggestions for where we could stay?

I did book our initial 3 nights in Rome in an Airbnb very near the Vatican. In looking at Airbnb's in Paris, I am not finding them (under $ 500) with air conditioning. Since we will be there in July, that seems pretty necessary? Would love other ideas if anyone has suggestions.

I am thinking we will only need to rent a car around Siena, maybe even drive there from Rome? Then keep it for Tuscany travels and drop it off there or in Florence.

No other accommodations booked at this point, but I am researching.
Thanks in advance!!!

mama_mia

Pisa is easily done as a day trip from Florence; it could also be done from Cinque Terre. Not sure why you are adding an extra hotel change for it, unless you are concerned about train length from Cinque Terre to Venice. Even then, I don’t think you are gaining much staying in Pisa.

yes, you would only need car if you want to tour Tuscan towns. You could pick up the car near Siena, but usually smaller locations only have manual cars. They cannot guarantee automatics. If you need an automatic, pick up in Rome and return in Florence. But you might look into hiring a driver for 2 days instead.

pattyroth

Thanks, mama_mia! I was thinking of staying in Pisa one night only to put us a bit closer to Venice. Plus I have the idea that getting into and out of CT is time-consuming? Maybe there is somewhere in between Pisa and Venice to save us travel the following day?
The reason I arranged the travel the way I did is just to minimize travel and visit these places. Maybe there is a more efficient path after we leave Rome?

magnoliamomof2

I would add a night or 2 to Florence or Siena and drop Pisa. Personally I feel like I lose a day of vacation every time we switch hotels. Florence is my favorite but in the summer a farm house in Siena with a pool might be more enjoyable and with a car you can easily move around and have many adventurous days! It would be the longer way to drive but you could drive Siena to Florence via Pisa and then drop your car in Pisa and train into Florence. So many options it gets confusing For Cinque we stayed in Monterosso , it is about a 4 hour train ride from Florence and easy. Looks like it is 4 hours Cinque to Venice and then I assume you are flying Venice to Paris.

pattyroth

Yes, thanks magnoliamomof2. We are flying to Paris from Venice. I'll have to think about your configuration and see what works best, but that's an option. Pisa is our kids' and granddaughter's wish. But we don't have to spend the night there.