La Spezia Travel Forum

Hello,

We will be flying into Milan the end of November. I really want to visit the Cinque Terre. Is that a good choice that time of year? What is the weather usually like? Will we most likely be able to hike?

If it's recommended, how do we get there from Milan? How many nights should we stay? I was thinking about staying 4 nights. Is that too long? What town is recommended?

Sorry I have so many questions! All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi,
I spent two or three nights in the cinque terra in november three years ago. I learned that most shops, rest., ect. are obligated to remain open for so many days each year. They usually are ready to pack up and go on their own vacation at the same time you will be there. It was dead and we staid in "busy" Vernazza. Many businesses had very small hours of operation. We hiked a bit but the trails were closed due to weather at one point. The place is beautiful but this is not the best time to experience it in my opinion. I would suggest Vernazza as the "biggest" town but do not expect any night life after dark. From Milan it should not be too long, you will most assuredly have a couple of connections, one in La Spezia or Genoa. Two nights should be more then enough. Maybe the French Coast or Provence would be more alive.

Another poster has commented on November (we were there in June 2007 and it was very busy). From Milan you can go to Genoa by train, then catch another to Cinque Terra, BUT not all trains stop at all stations so check the trenitalia site for timetables - www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

My choice was Manarola (see my incomplete travel page), but I suppose other people will have their own opinions. We spent a lot of time researching on the net all the towns in the area and Manarola came out top of the list - although we had problems getting there (rail strike) we were very happy with the choice we made. Hotel Marina Piccola (see tip) was great.

OK I cheated and looked at your profile - Manarola is for slightly older people - LOL - the other towns are for the "youngies" but worth going to as well. 4 nights - yes I could easily cope with that and even longer as we missed out on seeing so much of a beautiful part of the world. We would have loved to have hiked a bit more than we did.

Suggest you get fit before hand.

David

We stayed in Manarola but wanted quit and quaint. Hiked to 3 of the towns very easily and took the train to the other two. Loved it but we were there in Sept.
highlight of 6 weeks in Italy, stayed fir 5 days.

Well, I wouldn't go to Cinque Terre in november. I was there in august, on a cloudy day, and even if it was hot it isn't as beautiful. To really appreciate it, you have to go there on sunny days, that's my opinion. The colours change completely (but of course it all depends on your luck, maybe in november it's sunny).

Maybe it would be better to go to another city, Bologna, and from there go to Parma, Modena, or even Firenze.

For me, it's a good idea: there won't be many tourists and the views are always pleasant. Of course, you won't be able to swim and I have no clue whether the sun will be out there.
There are direct trains from Milano, that arrive to Monterosso in 2h 50'. You can check the train tables on www.trenitalia.it . Four nights seem a bit too much for Cinque Terre, considering you can easily see 3 of 5 Terre in half a day. On the other hand, they are not too much, should you decide to spend the nights in Genova, which is a wonderful and lively city, with magnificent palaces, imposing city walls, one of the biggest aquariums in Europe (if not the biggest), memorable views (it was built on the hills), quaint narrow streets, a tall lighthouse and more. It's all fantastic... if you can cope with the Genovese being skinflints like no one in the world.

Otherwise, if you've never seen them, worth seeing are also all the lakes near Milano, from Lago Maggiore to Lago di Como to Lago di Lugano to Lago d'Orta to Lago d'Iseo to Lago di Garda...

Thanks for all the great answers. It sounds like it's hit or miss that time of year - but at least I know I have a chance of a "hit"! As I never know if I'll get another chance to see Italy, I want to take the chance I think.

I love the idea of seeing Genova or Lake Como - wow! But then I'd have to split my days 2 and 2, and 2 days doesn't seem like enough time to stay at either place, espcially taking into account jet lag and train time. But maybe it is... You've got me thinking now! :)

I think it would be no madness if you decided to split the holiday between Como and Genova... moreover as Como is just one hour by train away from Milano.
When in Cinque Terre, take care not to go off the beaten path! and don't forget to eat focaccia and pasta al pesto :)