Hey all! So I've got a rough itinerary for my late March Italy trip laid out but with everybody recommending Cinque Terre, I would like to know your thoughts on if I can somehow add it to my plans, and if so, where would you recommend I squeeze it in? Thanks for any help! Itinerary details below:

(All travel between cities via train)
day location
1 milan
2 milan
3 venice
4 venice
5 ferrara/bologna
6 bologna/florence
7 florence
8 florence
9 lucca/pisa
10 orvieto/rome
11 rome
12 rome
13 rome
14 rome
15 rome/depart

Sure no problem.

Cut 2 days from rome.
Cut 1 day from florence.
Add a day trip to Sienna or San Gigminano

Thanks Slip. What's the best place, logisitically-speaking, to get to Sienna from? From florence or from rome?

I would check the weather in Cinque Terre. They close the path for part of the year, and it would not be that great if the weather was cold/rainy. (they would most likely close the path, as it is steep and slippery in parts, even in the best of conditions)

For a day trip to Siena, you'll go from Florence. I did a great tour from Florence that took us to San Gimignano & Siena, as well as a functioning winery for tasting & lunch. It was great. I can't remember the name (and couldn't find it while googling), but could tell you exactly where the office is and where the tour started.

I don't think you need that much time in Rome...spending a whole week there could be a little overwhelming (yes, there is plenty to do, but it is a crazy city). I wouldn't cut much time from Florence; budget time in there to go to Fiesole, too (just a 20 minute bus ride from Florence).

And, remember, if you get there and want to move forward, or stay in a place for a while, you can totally change your mind while on the trail:-).

I did it the other way. I stayed in San Gigminagno and did day trips to Sienna and Florence. I wasn't up for the Frienze scene. I took local buses through Poggiebonsi which is just down the hill from San Gimingano.

However, annie is correct. There are plenty of day trips from Florence through San Gigmingano and Sienna. Plenty of wine if that is your thing.

The wild boar and wild rabbit stew are the regions specialties. Be sure to eat that at one of the two towns. By the way tRistorante Le Vecchie Mura in San Gimingano has splendid cuisine and has a nice overlook of the tuscan valley....don't miss it.

Cheers and good luck.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll definitely look into it.

I'm a little confused though. I was thinking you suggested Sienna or San Gimingano because that was the easiest way to get to Cinque Terre? So let's say I extend my Florence stay and do a day trip to Sienna. After Florence, how do I get to Cinque Terre? Wikitravel says I need to come in from Genoa or La Spezia?

Also, am I correct that adding extra train travel days (in/out of Cinque Terre) would mean I have to add some more days to my Eurail pass?

You can take a train from Florence straight La Spezia, and from there to any of the towns. It isn't too long a train, maybe 2 hours or so.

I wouldn't add more days to your pass; when I went the trip was no more than 30$ (I think it was 23Euro).

Annie is right, you would go from Florence and it is about 2.5 hours (you have to change trains in Pisa).

Yes Cinque Terre is nice, but it is not essential like Rome or venice. Don't feel pressured to see it if you are short on time. Other places on your list are probably as good if not better.

I agree...Cinque Terre is lovely, but don't stress yourself out to get there. However, it is nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

We didn't have to change trains until La Spezia from Florence. Not Pisa.

Fair enough, obviously it depends on what train. With my train I changed in Pisa though did not have to change at La Spezia.

Cinque Terre in March
not essential
If it were May i'd drop other places for a 3 day visit
nice small town atmosphere and great pesto

I went to Cinque Terre in the Summer and the temperature was surprisingly tolerable, im not sure about going in March as the weather down there can be unpredictable and some of the paths may be closed (unless you only want to do the Riomaggiore - Manarola leg which is paved).

Have you considered spending a couple of days in Naples?, not only does it have the best food in Italy but it is also the most diverse and fascinating out of all the majors (my opinion), you could also check if the ferries to Isle of Capri are running and go for the day, its great walking!

Thanks for the replies everybody. I think I've decided to hold off on Cinque Terre. Maybe check it out next time.

Cycle_giant - I'll look into Naples. Hadn't dawned on me before. I think I'm a little pressed for time and don't know if I can squeeze another city in.

I know I'm coming late to the conversation here, but I think you're making the right choice in waiting on the Cinque Terre. Yes, you could have squeezed it in (with a bit of rearranging of your proposed itinerary), but it looks like you've already got a pretty tight schedule and you'd just end up running yourself a bit ragged. And that's no way to enjoy yourself.