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Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria - Any Advice?
Category: Travel
(Updated 976 Days ago)
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globehound  says:
03/24/09
I`m going to a wedding in Como, Italy in May. We are going to do some traveling throughout Liguria, Tuscany and Umbria. I`m thinking about visiting Cinque Terre. Any thoughts?
lporcano
lporcano says:
03/24/09
I have a friend from Genoa, I will ask him if he has any tips and let you know.
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globehound
globehound says:
03/24/09
That would be fantastic. Come to think of it, I should probably ask those distant relatives that I`m going to meet. Duh!
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zachwashere
zachwashere says:
03/24/09
I`ve been to Cinque Terre, and while it was really beautiful, and certainly worth visiting, it definitely winds up feeling very touristy...there`s tons of beautiful towns just like it all up and down the coast in Tuscany. I actually drove from Cinque Terre up north to Portofino, which was probably the best drive of my life.
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lporcano
lporcano says:
03/25/09
From my friend:

Drink the wine there. Its the best and you can only get it there. They do not have enough production to ship anywhere outside that area.

The walk along the water is second to none. It is all mountain so I hope they are in good shape.

No matter where you go to eat you will eat well. Not much to do and the night life is quite limited but it is beautiful
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lulu
lulu says:
04/01/09
The hiking in Cinque Terre is utterly sublime... that`s the best part about it! It makes the touristy aspects of it totally worth it.

Orvieto is a great medieval town in Umbria. It`s on top of a butte of tufa in the middle of low-rolling fields. There is a funicular up the side of the butte to get to it. There are many restaurants and gelaterias, shops and hotels, including a restaurant that is built underground inside an old grotto. And of course, in the center piazza of the town is a beautiful cathedral. There are also old cave-dwellings you can see where the Etruscans used to live. But keep in mind that siesta is very much alive there. Everything is closed from about 1pm to 4 or 5pm if I remember correctly.
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hiyamaja
hiyamaja says:
04/16/09
yeah, I disagree with Zach.. Cinque Terre is amazing and depending on the time of day you go, there aren`t too many tourists! And the hike is what it`s all about. I`d go along the water and sometimes the longer path through the mountains just so you get a feel. Also, I got lost on the track and kinda made my own which was really exciting because you can just walk up and down the vineyards! I can only recommend that.
If you get to go to Florence, definitely cross the river and walk on the other side - it`s beautiful once you`re away from the packed downtown!
oh and Orvieto is amazing! It`s in the valley but the town itself sits up high because there are secret paths beneath it. I can`t describe it properly - but this town is a must if you`re in that area!
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globehound
globehound says:
04/17/09
Zach really needs to reconsider his travel advice. Hiya and Lulu, you`ve made Cinque Terre and Orvieto sound very much worth the time/effort. We are definitely going to check it out. Anyone been to Parma?
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zachwashere
zachwashere says:
04/17/09
You two are too much! Globehound and Maja, you guys should hang out and be friends...I`ve never met two people who enjoy disagreeing with anything I say more in my life haha.

And just to clarify, I believe i referred to Cinque Terre as "really beautiful" and "certainly worth visiting" which is hardly a poor recommendation. My aim was to make you consider visiting other towns nearby and not fall into the typical trap of only checking out Cinque Terre.

I also happen to know that Maja wasn`t there in the summer, so it was no doubt less crowded than when I was there in June. In June there were probably no less that 1,000 American students there. Not that there`s anything wrong with American students, but I just thought that might be something you wanted to know.

Now if you`ll excuse me, I have to go comment on my own Somedays to defend my goals and dreams against Maja`s various other unfounded criticisms...
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hiyamaja
hiyamaja says:
04/27/09
Zachy-poo... it seems as though you have another great friend just like me! :) When are we all getting together? :)

You said there are other places just like Cinque Terre and that is simply false! And though you said it is beautiful, you made it sound as though he should rather go elsewhere. He plans on seeing everything and traveling around, but you just can`t go to Italy and not see Cinque Terre - nobody ever said he should spend three weeks there!

and just for Zach: You are correct! I wasn`t there in the summer, but I also chose the walk a path of my own there, which I would recommend to anyone. That`s like saying Yosemite is always packed and not worth it because of the tourists - and I was there last summer and though there are tons of people, if you just walk 200 yards off the `touristy walk` you are in haven and it`s gorgeous without a soul around! There`s always a way to see touristy scenery without tourists! ;)

and Zachy-poo, don`t go saying you need to comment on my statements when all you do is delete them!
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lableuefille
lableuefille says:
05/07/09
The German and Zach arguing. Who would have ever thought? Cinque Terre is beautiful, but unfortunately has been discovered - a lot. You`ll see it in a lot of travel magazines and I feel like every time I am at an art festival it seems to be there - again. But it is visited and painted for a reason eh?

I would highly highly recommend Orvieto. Such a neat town, and the approach is absolutely amazing. It truly feels medieval. When I was there last spring (May) they had finished a lot of the renovations on the Cathedral in the middle of town. Absolutely breathtaking to see the detail that went into building the church - plus, it is striped. How fantastic is that?

Florence was also amazing, and it is always filled with tourists. That is just how it goes. But on the flip side of that, the town makes for great people watching and you find a great number of people that can more or less communicate in English if you don`t know Italian.

Since you are going through the Tuscan/Umbrian region, I would tell you to just rent a car and pick a middle sized town. They are all so full of character and the people very friendly. Wherever you drive it will be beautiful, and if you have a sense of adventure, it is pretty much impossible to go wrong.
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hiyamaja
hiyamaja says:
05/07/09
you went to Orvieto again? that`s awesome! I didn`t know that.. where are the pics?!
is it possible to add pics on this actually?
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globehound
globehound says:
05/09/09
Thanks lableuefille. We will have a car for 2 1/2 weeks and orvieto is definitely on our itinerary.
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globehound
globehound says:
06/02/09
UPDATE: We are back. Ended up seeing a lot and spending a few days in Tuscany in an area called Val D`Orcia (Montalcino, Pienza, etc..). To me this is absolutely one of the most beautiful areas of the world I`ve ever been. I am going to update my `Consume My Way Thru Italy` Someday with photos and information. Thanks again for all the advice.
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globehound
globehound says:
06/02/09
By the way, there is a place called Le Traverse just outside Pienza. Words can`t sufficiently describe how charming and welcoming the owner, Pinuccia, made us feel. If you ever find yourself in Tuscany, I highly recommend this B&B as a place to plant yourself for a couple of days. http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/agriturismi/letraverse/index.html
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