leverett10

My husband and I are going to Italy in early May for our second trip to Italy. During our first trip last year, we hit the highlights with Florence, Venice, and Rome.

This time we want to see more of the countryside and less "touristy" spots.

We are trying to decide between two iteneraries right now.

The first one is 5 nights in Cinque Terre, 2 nights in Lange, and 3 nights in Turin. The second option is 3 nights Lake Como, 4 nights in Tuscany, and ending in Florence.

Between these two options, which is the best? Or if you could combine the two, what are the biggest "don't miss" spots.

Thank you!!!

msteacher

I vote for option 2. Lake Como is gorgeous and there are loads of beautiful Tuscan towns to visit. Should be beautiful in May. And five nights seems like an awfully long time in the CT.

millie2112

i vote foroption 2. we were in italy last week and did CT as well as the lakes. westayed in bellagio amd it was by far a favourite. the area is gorgeous and you will love it.
i thin CT is a bit overrated and i think rick steves is to blame for that

uhoh_busted

Funny, we had the opposite feelings about Lake Como vs CT in 2011. We only did CT for 2 nights, and wished we had one more as the weather was perfect. We stayed in Bellagio 4 nights and found it beautiful, but just too many expensive tourist shops. Lots of tourists both places. Photos from BOTH places are fantastic. The natural beauty is hard to beat. I'd go back to CT, but probably not Lake Como, although I am very happy to have gotten to see it.

isabel

Been to both and I think the coast is more interesting. And there is a lot more to the Ligurian coast than just the CT towns. There is Portovenere south of the CT, and Rapallo, Santa Marguerita, Portofino, and Camogli to the north. I just spent five days this summer based in Rapallo and visited all the others and had a great time. The lakes are beautiful as well, you really can't go wrong but the coast is more diverse.

Here are links to my photos of both places and my recent trip report (scroll way down to get to the Italy portion).
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...swiss-alps.cfm

http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/ital...ligurian_coast

http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/italian_lakes

HappyTrvlr

Five nights is too many for the CT. If you want to stay on the Ligurian coast longer, visit Santa Margherita Ligure or Camogli, beautiful places with much to offer. I also love Portovenere.
I am glad I've seen the CT but wouldn't return as I have to Santa Margherita Ligure. I have also returned to Lake Como four times and will go back there again.
If you go to the Piemonte, allot more days to the Langhe, a beautiful area, uncrowded, charming towns.

Jean

leverett10, as you can see, everyone perceives a place differently. And you will too.

The places on your list are not similar, except for Florence being in Tuscany. Florence is my favorite city in Italy, and I love Tuscany. I could visit the Italian lakes on every trip and definitely find new things to see/do.

But I also love the Langhe and think it's underrated as a stand-alone destination. Torino has a great atmosphere and feels more economically prosperous. However, the Langhe, Torino and Lake Como may be rainy in early May. You should check weather records for these destinations and decide what you're willing to risk weather-wise.

I'm not a big fan of the Cinque Terre, but I do think it's one of those places people should see once. But would I go there if it's raining? No.

pctraveler

I highly recommend option 2; we did a similar trip a couple of years ago -- spent four nights in Bellagio, then to Lucerne, Lugano, and Stressa (1 night in each place) and then a week in Florence and thoroughly enjoyed all the places.

ericjonolsen

I'm going to go Team Cinque Terre here - when I went, it was an excursion for a cruise, and I spent 10 hours, I believe, and that included travel to and from Le Spezia.

Cinque Terre is absolutely beautiful, but be prepared for climbing and walking. Our way into the CT included trains, bus, and of course, much walking.

As others have said, 5 days in the CT may be too much, but not completely out of the question. Were you planning on spending 1 day in each town?

I would suggest staying at least a day or two in Monterosso, as they have the best beach in CT. Manarolo was by favorite village, quickly followed by Monterosso.

I can not speak to Lake Como, as I have not visited, but it is on my list. I can only say I fell in love with CT, and can not wait to go back.

Jean

Just so you know, the Cinque Terre trails may be closed if it's raining or if there have been recent wash-outs.

yipper

Combine the two. CT and Tuscany. Lake Como is beautiful,but very quiet. There is more to explore around the CT.