Deciding on how to do this in Italy after Florence....take in Cinque Terre, Venice and area (Verona, Vicenza) and we want to finish in Milan. What is the best route or order, by car? Train?
Anyone with advice or have done that?

Norman Trottier
Your order is the problem. You are starting in the middle. Where do you end the trip? If Rome, train to Venice then Cinque Terre. Trains are the only way to travel in Italy. Parking is a huge problem in Venice and worse in the small towns of Cinque Terre.

We liked the flexibility of having a car and most places even smaller towns have parking areas/garages on the outskirts and a route to walk to city centre. In Venice area we stayed in Mestre and took the 10 min train into Venice. Also San Giminiano was a fabulous day trip.

When we were in Italy, our destinations were Venice, Cinque Terra, Florence and Rome....in that order- from North to South...all done very easily by train. Driving from place to place does allow you to set your own pace and see more of the countryside BUT once you arrive in many of your destinations, you will not need a car and parking could be a major problem....they are walking destinations. I would suggest staying in Venice, not Mestere. It was awesome to wander the streets early in the morning and evening(after the cruise ships have departed)and there is definitely no place for a car. We loved Italy, good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I agree with this. This was my itinerary too.

How long were you there for? I am debating this same itinerary for this summer but we only have 14 full days so I was thinking maybe only 3 of the 4 places may be best...??

I went for 2.5 weeks and 5 of those days were in Munich and then we took the train to Venice, cinque Terre, Florence, and Rome. We had enough time. I was pregnant when I went and we had backpacks. It was so much fun. Plan what you want to see, so you don't miss those musts. I think you should be ok. Europe is amazing, but it's a "teaching trip". Go, go, go! Lots to learn. Cinque Terre was amazing and so special to me because we rented beach chairs for a day and did NOTHING! So welcomed after trains and travelling. Enjoy! This post is making me want to go back!

If I can make a suggestion... If you decide to go to the Vatican, book a tour. We did and got in right away. People were lined up for BLOCKS waiting to get inside.

This is all great advice, thanks!! Much appreciated. Europe for the WIN.

Oops we flew from Munich to Venice. Then the rest of the vacation was trains.

Selena

Venice is great when you avoid the main tourist street with all the souvenir shops and after the cruise ship passengers leave. Venture further out into the other neighbourhoods if you can. Better and cheaper food, quiet and way better atmosphere.

I did this when I went to Italy, Venice-Assisi-Rome-Montecassino-Pompeii-Sorrento-Capri-Orvieto-Pisa-Florence-Tuscany-Bologna before heading on to Switzerland. Filled my bucket list doing so much in each place. 2 weeks in Italy via vehicle , enjoy your trip!

I did all of that by train. Do not miss the Cinque Terre, and take the time to explore the little towns. I also recommend Padova as a beautiful stop (we actually stayed in padova and took the train into Venice for the days we wanted to see it) Sienna is gorgeous too.

We drove. Started in Milan, then Venice, Rimini, Florence, somewhere near Pisa and then back to Milan. One week 1400 kms but it was amazing! We liked having a car so we could stop and see anything we wanted to.

We drove from Venice and stayed in St Marguerite which was a beautiful little town and took a 20 minute train ride to Cinque. Then drove to Florence and left from Rome Driving was beautiful way to see the country side. We had a few other stops for a night in between.

Agree with skipping Milan. Bologna is the centre of most of what we know as great Italian food. Stayed there a week and did day train trips to Verona and RAVENNA - off the beaten path, but highly recommended to see magnificent Byzantine mosaics. Cinque Terre - suggest a combination of walking from town to town, with quick train, and then boat back to see the towns from the water. Easily a day trip, with an overnight. Then took the train to Pisa, half day is plenty, then onto Lucca a walled city with a promenade on top of the wall, overnighted and then to Siena - Florence.

We took the train and this was our route - Rome, Pisa, Florence, Venice, and lastly Merano. We used a Eurorail pass. There are some speed trains that cost extra on top of the Eurorail pass but totally worth it!

Take a bottle of wine for your walk at cinque terre for a sit down at some picnic tables and enjoy the view. Don't rush. Take a train no stress of driving.

Hi. A couple of years ago we went to Milan, cinque terre, Florence then Venice. We took the train. It was quick, easy and prices were great. I booked the tickets online from here.

I agree on skipping Milan. It’s terrible. Bologna is a better stop if you need another one to the West. Verona was my favourite place in Northern Italy bar none. Also, Padova is a lovely little stop as well, about 1/2 hour by train from Venice. If you are going in the summer months, be very aware of train stoppages. Like all of a sudden there is a strike and stuck for the day or longer.

The train was a PITA and if you take more than 2 people on the trip renting a car was cheaper and more freeing. I have been to Europe a lot and will never take that train again. I love all the places on your list. Milan I thought over rated but love that court yard.

Read up about renting a car in Italy. And always check about parking when considering accommodations.

I did Trafalgar tours for Milan, Northern Italy and cinq-terre, drove through Pisa, Florence and parked and took the train for Venice, you can also take the train from Santa Margarita to Cinq-Terre . We took the train to Athens and then did a Greek Island destination cruise ship with Trafalgar Tours, best way to see a lot! Consider driving the coast of France and seeing Monte Carlo, then taking a train from Nice To Rome or Florence, just take the early train and pre book, the rest are milk runs and be extra early if you return a car there!

We took the train and went Rome - Sorrento - Florence - Venice - Milan
I would definitely suggest train, nothing was longer than three hours and they left many times a day so you’re not stuck.

Ps I’ve been to Italy a few times and would skip Milan if possible. I’ve always found it to be crime filled and ugly.

A logical stop/red point after the Cinque Terre would be Florence or Rome which are also both Epic cities to visit.

Totally disagree. I thought Venice was skippable but loved Milan.

Venice is a dump, but totally historic and you can’t skip it. Plus the Guggenheim is the best museum in Western Europe. And Venice does have great food.

Depends on the weather for Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre is STUNNING!!! Enjoy your trip!!!

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