La Spezia vs. Cinque Terre

[Over from NZ]

Hello. Looking for advice/recommendations please. Before we board our cruise, we're going to spend 4-nights in either La Spezia or one of the villages in Cinque Terre. Leaning towards La Spezia - cheaper.. we can train from there to the villages each day as well as the other way to Porto Venere and we'd look at doing a day-trip to Pisa. Would you recommend any particular parts of La Spezia (e.g. Historic centre if there is one versus waterfront) and/or any Hotels or accommodation? Or pay more and stay in one of the 5-villages? We're arriving by train and after the 4-nights, catching the train to Rome to join the cruise. Thank you. 

[carlmm]

As you plan to see different town and cities, in my opinion it is an excellent idea to stay in La Spezia. The trains to the Cinque Terre run frequently. You can still enjoy the less crowded evenings there as trains still go past midnight.

Choose a hotel in walking distance to the train station more towards the sea.

[edinburgher]

i would also opt for la Spezia as there are more options to explore the region, and accommodation and dining out may be less expensive and offer more choices than would the villages.

 

In addition to a direct train  line to Pisa, you could also consider the slightly longer rail trip to Lucca if you never visited there before. (Think of it as a Tuscan gem) Much online info.

 

Or in the opposite direction you would have the option of Santa Margherita and the very short transfer from there to Portofino on foot, or by  bus, taxi or the really scenic short ferry crossing which only takes a few minutes.

[Over from NZ]

7 hours ago, edinburgher said:

i would also opt for la Spezia as there are more options to explore the region, and accommodation and dining out may be less expensive and offer more choices than would the villages.

 

In addition to a direct train  line to Pisa, you could also consider the slightly longer rail trip to Lucca if you never visited there before. (Think of it as a Tuscan gem) Much online info.

 

Or in the opposite direction you would have the option of Santa Margherita and the very short transfer from there to Portofino on foot, or by  bus, taxi or the really scenic short ferry crossing which only takes a few minutes.

Thank you (as well as carlmm). Good suggestions. We've done SM & Portofino previously (amazing). Will look into Lucca. 

[edinburgher]

Lucca is just lovely and a great town to stroll around, and once you have looked at Lucca info and photos online I think you will be tempted.  With no major sights, it is a less demanding, more relaxed day out in a pretty town, perfect  for   leisurely walking and having lunch.And do walk the walls for views into the historic centre below, giving a completely different perspective of the old town.

 

The train station was very close to the walled old town.  If I remember correctly, simply exit onto the main road, cross over, and one of the entrances through the walls was just a few steps to the left.

 

Just adding a thought.  If you only want to spend a few minutes in Pisa looking at the Leaning Tower, (as opposed to a full day) you could very easily combine Pisa with Lucca in one day as they are on the same train line  and not far apart..  That is a popular day out for cruise pax from Livorno and with no sailaway time to meet you could extend your day as much as you would like.

 

 

Edited October 8, 2022 by edinburgher

[euro cruiser]

Some info on Lucca:  Lucca | Visit Tuscany

[edinburgher]

Thank you (as well as carlmm). Good suggestions. We've done SM & Portofino previously (amazing). Will look into Lucca. 

 

Over from NZ

Should you decide on a Pisa/Lucca day, you could read this recent thread as the train station info (posts #6 and7) could save you quite a walk in Pisa if you can time trains on the Trenitalia timetable which offer the secondary station in Pisa as stops.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2883871-livornopisa-with-public-transit/#comment-64037421

 

 

[Over from NZ]

9 minutes ago, edinburgher said:

Thank you (as well as carlmm). Good suggestions. We've done SM & Portofino previously (amazing). Will look into Lucca. 

 

Over from NZ

Should you decide on a Pisa/Lucca day, you could read this recent thread as the train station info (posts #6 and7) could save you quite a walk in Pisa if you can time trains on the Trenitalia timetable which offer the secondary station in Pisa as stops.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2883871-livornopisa-with-public-transit/#comment-64037421

 

 

Thank you! Will do some homework. We've got 4 nights in La Spezia. The initial plan was - First night, will get there by train from Venice early to mid in the arvo, so planning on looking around La Spezia. Day 2, go see 3 of the Cinque Terre Towns. Day 3 see the other 2. Day 4 we were going to head to Pisa and then Porto Venere.. although now looking to see if adding in Lucca is an option. The next morning catch an early train to Rome. 

[edinburgher]

Thank you! Will do some homework. We've got 4 nights in La Spezia. The initial plan was - First night, will get there by train from Venice early to mid in the arvo, so planning on looking around La Spezia. Day 2, go see 3 of the Cinque Terre Towns. Day 3 see the other 2. Day 4 we were going to head to Pisa and then Porto Venere.. although now looking to see if adding in Lucca is an option. The next morning catch an early train to Rome. 

 

 

Sounds like a plan! Just one thing though, and you would need to check, but I don't think there is a train station in Porto Venere. When we were to dock at Marina di Carrara we had looked at that option, but without a train station instead headed to  Santa Margherita and Portofino on a shorex as we had already visited both Pisa and Lucca twice..  We actually really liked SM, which was much more attractive than we had expected. if too complicated  for  the Porto V. /Pisa option you might be much simpler with the alternative Pisa/Lucca combo.

Edited October 9, 2022 by edinburgher