Cinque Terra mostly & vicinity ... for 10 days

[thinkingbouteurope]

Well ... fortunately most people don't take as long as I do (almost a year) to make travel decisions. In this case, finally, my first trip is for 11 days, excluding 2 travel days) to Europe in November 2008.

I will spend most of my time in the Cinque Terre, staying in Vernazza, eating, walking, hiking, photographing and eating. I'm planning to allow 2-3 days to catch a nearby glimpse of Florence, Pisa and perhaps, Siena. Then I'll have some ideas for my second trip to Europe. CT has truly captured my imagination

While it's not as ambitious, at least is is a first plan. Thanks to all for comments and suggestions.

[madamtrashheap]

thinkingabouteurope, glad you've come to a decision with your travel plans - nothing wrong with taking your time!

David's suggestion of Lucca is a great one, and if you feel like a bit of living history, you could also visit Carrara where the marble quarries are - the same marble Michelangelo used for his statues (particulary "David" and "Pieta"). It's between Pisa and La Spezia so not out of the way. Siena is also well worth a visit, but it will either be a long day trip or an overnight stop. And you'll need at least 2 full days in Florence (IMHO), along with half a day in Pisa (or 2 hours if you want to see just the Tower).

Keep in mind that in November the weather around CT can be less than ideal for hiking, and if they've had a lot of rain or storms the National Parks close the hiking trails for safety. You may find yourself in more cafes than on trails if that happens, but CT is still a beautiful place to have an enforced "no-go" and the Piazza in Vernazza (the one on the port, can't miss it!) is a hub of socialising anyway - locals included.

[Eagle]

thinkingabouteurope, I certainly agree with MTH, there's nothing wrong with taking the time to plan carefully. It took me over five years to make one of my trips a reality.

In addition to the points MTH mentioned about the November weather in the Cinque Terre (hiking trails closed?), there's another point that needs to be considered also. Some (many?) of the lodgings and other tourist facilities in the C.T. close down in the winter time. You might want to check with the Hotel / Affitacamere you were planning to stay at, to determine if they will be open at that time of the year?

You mentioned eating twice - you must really be looking forward to the food! Be sure to try the local Pesto - the C.T. is where it was invented! If you happen to get to Riomaggiore, there are a couple of good restaurants there.

There are lots of good photo op's there, but in November the weather might be a factor. If you do get any sunny days, the "colours" will probably lean towards the cool side. If the weather doesn't co-operate, you'll have to leave your white balance set to "cloudy".

Happy travels!

[thinkingbouteurope]

Thank you David, MTH and Eagle for your comments ...

For starters, I have purchased my air ticket and have a confirmed reservation in Vernazza in a room that is open all year. ;D

I think that a Pisa, Lucca and Carrara daytrip is a possibility; as well as Florence daytrip that would include the Uffizi Gallery (any estimate as to how far from the train station?), the Science Museum, Mercato Nuovo and perhaps, the Pitti Palace. (yeah ... all in 8 or so hours) Clearly, Florence cannot be seen in a day but this would give me a sampler to plan my next trip.

If weather (and the State Park) permits, I hope to walk/hike as many of the coastal and hill trails as possible (says the crazed three time marathoner) I'll be singing in the rain if the Park permits. (I also used elude the manned roadblocks and take pictures and/or cross-country ski in a coastal state park during NH blizzards whenever ... it was safer than skiing in the streets, which some did) In the course of these (or even if I have to go by local train) travels, I hope to enjoy at least one meal in each of the villages.

I've gotten into macro (nature) photography, so going out with my camera after/during rain is something I look forward too as rain drops/droplets enhances these photos. I've upgraded from a Fujifilm s5200 to a Pentax *ist dSLR with an arsenal of lens, filters and 3GB of sd cards so I feel ready for anything. (one of the macro zoom lenses has as extension that pulls out so I can shoot in the rain.

Even if the weather is terrible, I am not going to allow myself to be miserable. After all this IS my first trip to Eurpoe, Italy and CT. There has to be local places to eat and drink and talk mangled Italian. Plus, the two day trips I am considering plus another to Siena if necessary give me a number of alternatives.

As it's said ... Sounds like a plan. Ciao.

[Eagle]

thinkingabouteurope, it's unfortunate that you don't have more time to spend in Florence. Where are you travelling from for the day trip to Florence? Depending on which trains you choose, you might not even have 8 hours to spend there. A "ballpark" figure for the travel time is about 2.5 hours from La Spezia Centrale to Firenze S.M.N. (each way). Note that some trains require a compulsory reservation. It would be a good idea to become familiar with "Rail Skills", since this is your first trip. Making changes is sometimes a rather "frantic" affair, with a trip via the "sotto passagio" to the next platform.

You might want to arrange a reservation for the Uffizi Gallery, so that you don't waste any time in the ticket queue. I doubt that it will be too busy in November, but there's no guarantees.

Regarding the other sites you mentioned in Florence, I don't have much information on them. MTH would be the best one to comment on those.

Cheers!

[madamtrashheap]

thinkingbouteurope said:

Florence daytrip that would include the Uffizi Gallery (any estimate as to how far from the train station?), the Science Museum, Mercato Nuovo and perhaps, the Pitti Palace. (yeah ... all in 8 or so hours) Clearly, Florence cannot be seen in a day but this would give me a sampler to plan my next trip.

The train station (Firenze Santa Maria Novella or Firenze SMN as Eagle has pointed out) is about a 15min stroll from the main square Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi. Eagle's point about making a reservation for entry to the Uffizi is a good one and I'd also recommend reserving a time/ticket for the Accademia to see the original "David" (a rather good copy stands in the Pz della Signoria where the original once stood) as your time in Florence is limited and you don't want to waste it standing in line. I know you didn't list the Accademia, but it's worth a visit, and the marble "Prisoners" sculptures just before the area with "David" are even more impressive (IMHO). November isn't as busy as earlier in the year, but there would still be a queue to both museums so you might want to avoid that all together. The official telephone booking office for the Uffizi is [phone] or Fax +39(.(0)55.264406. or you can go online at www.virtualuffizi.com/uffizi/uffizi-gallery-tickets-reservations.htm The gallery is closed on Mondays. For the Accademia, the telephone number is the same for the bookings otherwise you can also book online at www.weekendafirenze.com/bigphp/mus.php?mus=accademia&skin=fi (same as for Uffizi link - the Florence museums are part of a city collective called the Polo Museale Fiorentino - Italian website only). There are booking fees for each (about Euro3.00). Another museum (one that's not often visited) for your next trip is the Bargello Museum.

The Science Museum (IMSS) is amazing and you'll be glad you visited. There's usually no line for this museum, unless they are having a special exhibit (they did one on da Vinci a little while ago) so no need to book ahead. I did, however, hear that they have closed part of it for renovations until 2009 so hopefully that doesn't affect your visit too much.

Mercato Nuovo/Straw Market - I don't know that I'd place this too highly on my list of "must-sees" for Florence as the actual "market" part is more souvenirs (t-shirts, not great quality leather goods, etc). Most people want to pat the wild boar (Cingale) for good luck, but that adn the actual space in which the market stands are, in my opinion, the only things left that are "charming" about these markets. You could head up to the San Lorenzo markets near the Medici Chapel and even the Mercato Centrale which has the most wonderful food and local produce areas, which will give you a better idea of Tuscan produce (the Mercato Centrale particularly).

Pitti Palace - the gallery has an impressive collection of paintings that include works by Carraveggio, Rubens, Titian and Rafaelo and the gardens are super popular in Summer (lots of shade), but you may run out of time to explore it all. Although I'm not sure of all of your interests, I'd also like to see you visit (or even go to before the Pitti) the inside of the Duomo and go inside (entrance is Euro3.00 for restoration works) the Santa Croce church for the beautiful frescoes by Giotto and the tombs of beloved Tuscans (Michelangelo, Gallileo, etc). Even the little (but powerful) church Orsanmichele, which is right in the heart of Florence, is worth a quick visit. The Pitti is on the other side of the Arno to the other sights listed so you'll be going from one side of the city to the other. Just keep this in mind when planning your visit with the limited time frame.

Glad to see that the possibility of not so super weather isn't dampening (geddit?!! ;D) your plans or attitude - how could it? You're going to Italy!!!

Oh, and I don't think you'll have to reserve your seat for the La Spezia-Florence journey. It's not a super busy line and the trains are frequent, but if you do want to then just reserve it on the day you first arrive in La Spezia on your way to Vernazza. I have never reserved seats on trains on any of these routes and I've travelled them quite a bit, but it's a personal choice so go with what you feel most comfortable doing.

Let us know if there's anything else you need for the final stages of your planning.

[thinkingbouteurope]

Thank you again eagle and MTH for your comments and suggestions.

After a look at a map, here is a possible trail I could follow (but is it possible in a day?)

Orsanmichele
Uffizi Gallery ***
Science Museum ***
Duomo
San Lorenzo Market / Mercato Centrale
Accademia

*** are my highest priority. Science because that was were my initial talents and interests developed, and a business career in computers. I have gradually developed a greater interest in the arts, though I have a tendency to appreciate painting over sculpture. I have no formal study in the arts, though I definitely know what I like when I see it.

Any further suggestions, though I sense that I'm out of my mind to try to visit so many sites in one day! Ciao!

[madamtrashheap]

Apr 8, 2008 18:41:22 GMT -5 thinkingbouteurope said:

Any further suggestions, though I sense that I'm out of my mind to try to visit so many sites in one day! Ciao!

Yeah but half the fun is walking around the city so at least you've prioritised your "must-see" places, the rest are just a bonus this time around.

So, walking from the train station (take a train that gets you there early enough to enjoy your day, you'll walk towards the Duomo so you may as well take the chance to look inside (don't plan on climbing it as it will eat into your time - I can spend hours up there without even realising!) before continuing down the street via Calzaiuoli (shop-lined) towards Pz della Signoria and you'll pass Orsanmichele (unassuming brown building on your right). Spend 15mins (or less, up to you, it's only little but powerful) inside before heading to the Uffizi (I'd book it for an hour after your train is supposed to arrive, just to be on the safe side).

Once you're done with the Uffizi (time is relevant to the person visiting, but average is 1hr30) you can take a quick detour one block over to via Calimala (from memory, can never remember this street name properly) to rub the wild pig's nose at the Straw Market/Mercato Nuovo, grab a square of pizza (shop on the right of that street away from the market as you walk towards the Ponte Vecchio, cheap and good) then continue to the Science Museum as this is high on your list of priorities and is just on the river a little further up from the Uffizi.

If would then head to the Accademia but only if you have a booking (mid-late afternoon would be best, whatever the latest time is that they accept) otherwise you could be standing in line for quite a while (even though it's November).

After that, you can head back towards the Mercato Centrale and San Lorenzo Markets before making your way back to the train station.

A little note: if you arrive early in the moring (ie before most things are open) then you could go to the Mercato Centrale first for a local breakfast (as long as it's not a Sunday).

Yes it's a lot to fit in, and you may find that if you spend a lot of time at one sight you'll have to modify your plan, but you already know what you absolutely must see so it should be doable to a great degree.

[thinkingbouteurope]

Greetings! Just thought I'd let you know that I've managed to add two days to the end of my trip whixch gives me at least two days pn Florence, which really ppens the possibilities. I'll travel by train from Vernazza to Florence (via La Spezia). then onto Milan for a half day before my flifght.

As far as trains are concerned is the better move to buy flexi tickets way in advance and then make changes as needed. Rail Europe vs trenitalia??? I'm ggoing to the tramsportation section now.

Thanks for any info.

[Eagle]

It's great to hear that you've found an extra few days to see Florence! If you're going to visit the Museums, reservations are a good idea.

As far as trains are concerned is the better move to buy flexi tickets way in advance and then make changes as needed. Rail Europe vs trenitalia???

First, a bit of clarification. Rail Europe is a conglomerate of many of the major European rail networks, while Trenitalia is the Italian rail network. Some of the others are Deutsche Bahn (Germany) and OBB (Austria).

For the trips you'll be taking, I wouldn't bother buying tickets "way in advance". In Italy especially, second class P-P tickets are usually adequate. I would probably buy the tickets for your outgoing journey when you arrive in the Cinque Terre. The station at La Spezia would be a good place to buy them, as not all of the C.T. stations are "full service" (Monterosso would be another option).

Depending on which train you choose, reservations may be required on the trip from La Spezia to Florence (usually for the "fast" trains). These will cost a bit more, but DON'T get caught without a reservation where one is compulsory, or you'll get "nicked" with a hefty fine on the spot! Check www.bahn.de to determine train times and whether a reservation is required.

Happy travels!