Cinque Terre - Italy
Discussion
Has anyone been and can offer some advice?
Heading back to Florence in May, flying in and out of Pisa and the OH really wants to visit. Not sure whether to head for a couple of days or maybe longer?
I know the best way from Florence is via train back to Pisa and then get a connection to the area, so was thinking majority of our stay in Florence and then last few nights in Cinque Terre.
Heading back to Florence in May, flying in and out of Pisa and the OH really wants to visit. Not sure whether to head for a couple of days or maybe longer?
I know the best way from Florence is via train back to Pisa and then get a connection to the area, so was thinking majority of our stay in Florence and then last few nights in Cinque Terre.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
We had a great time in Portovenere. Never heard anybody say anything good about Pisa (although I've never been)
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We fly in and out of Pisa, but not visiting as we saw the leaning tower a few years ago. Portovenere looks really nice, did you stay in the town itself? Wife and I stayed in Rapallo in July 2017 before heading to Tuscany. Things I can say about the CT are:
It's extremely popular with tourists
Don't even consider parking anywhere there unless you have private parking at, say, a hotel
Travel between towns by train, excellent and cheap
Portofino, not actually part of the CT, is beautiful, over-commercialised and maybe over rated, but does it have to be done anyway?
Taking a half/full day boat trip to see the CT from one end to the other is a great way to do it. Stops off in a couple of places for a stroll and lunch too.
R.
It's extremely popular with tourists
Don't even consider parking anywhere there unless you have private parking at, say, a hotel
Travel between towns by train, excellent and cheap
Portofino, not actually part of the CT, is beautiful, over-commercialised and maybe over rated, but does it have to be done anyway?
Taking a half/full day boat trip to see the CT from one end to the other is a great way to do it. Stops off in a couple of places for a stroll and lunch too.
R.
Wife and I stayed in Rapallo in July 2017 before heading to Tuscany. Things I can say about the CT are:
It's extremely popular with tourists
Don't even consider parking anywhere there unless you have private parking at, say, a hotel
Travel between towns by train, excellent and cheap
Portofino, not actually part of the CT, is beautiful, over-commercialised and maybe over rated, but does it have to be done anyway?
Taking a half/full day boat trip to see the CT from one end to the other is a great way to do it. Stops off in a couple of places for a stroll and lunch too.
R.
It's extremely popular with tourists
Don't even consider parking anywhere there unless you have private parking at, say, a hotel
Travel between towns by train, excellent and cheap
Portofino, not actually part of the CT, is beautiful, over-commercialised and maybe over rated, but does it have to be done anyway?
Taking a half/full day boat trip to see the CT from one end to the other is a great way to do it. Stops off in a couple of places for a stroll and lunch too.
R.
Was there in May, already getting very busy by then, must be hell in the height of summer.
Pisa is not that great as has been said, but cheap flights means it's an option. Cheap train out to the coast.
You can see all 5 villages in one day if you want to by lots of walking and using the train. There are also some hikes across the top of the hills but check as one or two got closed temporarily.
Pisa is not that great as has been said, but cheap flights means it's an option. Cheap train out to the coast.
You can see all 5 villages in one day if you want to by lots of walking and using the train. There are also some hikes across the top of the hills but check as one or two got closed temporarily.
Challo said:
Has anyone been and can offer some advice?
Heading back to Florence in May, flying in and out of Pisa and the OH really wants to visit. Not sure whether to head for a couple of days or maybe longer?
I know the best way from Florence is via train back to Pisa and then get a connection to the area, so was thinking majority of our stay in Florence and then last few nights in Cinque Terre.
Pisa is a tourist fest. Go to say you've been but don't expect much.Heading back to Florence in May, flying in and out of Pisa and the OH really wants to visit. Not sure whether to head for a couple of days or maybe longer?
I know the best way from Florence is via train back to Pisa and then get a connection to the area, so was thinking majority of our stay in Florence and then last few nights in Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre is beautiful and absolutely worth visiting. You can try and park in the first village but the parking is v limited. We ended up parking on the road about 20 mins away. You can walk from the first to the second village via the Via dell’Amore. Transport between the other villages is via the train service.
Visited both during road trip a number of years ago. Excerpt here:
g3org3y said:
Day 7]
Miles on the clock:163312
Locations: Pisa
Miles covered: 123
Think Italy, think Colosseum, think Leaning Tower of Pisa. So close and such a famous landmark, it would be a shame not to visit…
…a shame which we could have done without! Absolutely packed with tourists, very fatiguing. Tickets to go up the top of the tower were very expensive (and already sold out). What I will say however is that the Pisa site contains a lot more than just the famous tower – there is also the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Camposanto as well as two museums. Don’t waste too long on the tower (yes, it’s leaning!) and spend time to see the other buildings/exhibits and it’s a worthwhile trip. The Duomo is of particular note – epic architecture and exquisite interior acoustics.
The surrounding areas are an absolute tourist fest with every kind of Pisa related crap you could ever think of. There’s also a McDonald’s right next door! Go once to say you’ve been but it doesn’t mean you need to buy the T-shirt…or kitchen towel, or apron, or plastic model…
Day 8
Miles on the clock:163435
Location: Cinque Terre
Total miles: 47
A stunning piece of Italian coastline, the area of the Cinque Terre stretches between the beach resort of Levanto and the port of La Spezia. The area is named for five tiny villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, wedged into a series of coves between sheer cliffs, their comparative remoteness accentuating the epic backdrop.
Travel between the villages is either on foot or via train. We drove to the first village but found the (minimal) parking are absolutely packed. As such, we had to park a fair distance (20 min) walk away, which in the hot Italian sun feels a lot further than the time would suggest.
The villages themselves are very charming. Plenty of local arts and crafts (if that’s your bag), artisan ice-cream and some very nice seafood restaurants (big emphasis on fishing around there).
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is linked to the next village (Manarola) via the ‘Via dell’Amore’, a walk supposed to inspire lovers/couples. In randomised controlled trials, this walk has shown poor results when compared side by side with Sildenafil.
Details from Manarola
Corniglia is the smallest and most remote of the villages, only accessible via a long flight of steps. At the top, you get a rather nice sign congratulating you on your achievement!
As further reward, icecream is required! Everyone loves icecream (and this was some of the best I’ve ever had)…
…even nuns!
Some stunning views and epic scenery. I only wish my (poor) photo skills could do it justice. If you get the chance, it is absolutely worth visiting. Ignore the fact there will be excessive amounts of tourists, stick on a pair of trainers and spend the day walking between the villages (though don’t forget to stop for an icecream break!).
From here. HTH. Miles on the clock:163312
Locations: Pisa
Miles covered: 123
Think Italy, think Colosseum, think Leaning Tower of Pisa. So close and such a famous landmark, it would be a shame not to visit…
…a shame which we could have done without! Absolutely packed with tourists, very fatiguing. Tickets to go up the top of the tower were very expensive (and already sold out). What I will say however is that the Pisa site contains a lot more than just the famous tower – there is also the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Camposanto as well as two museums. Don’t waste too long on the tower (yes, it’s leaning!) and spend time to see the other buildings/exhibits and it’s a worthwhile trip. The Duomo is of particular note – epic architecture and exquisite interior acoustics.
The surrounding areas are an absolute tourist fest with every kind of Pisa related crap you could ever think of. There’s also a McDonald’s right next door! Go once to say you’ve been but it doesn’t mean you need to buy the T-shirt…or kitchen towel, or apron, or plastic model…
Day 8
Miles on the clock:163435
Location: Cinque Terre
Total miles: 47
A stunning piece of Italian coastline, the area of the Cinque Terre stretches between the beach resort of Levanto and the port of La Spezia. The area is named for five tiny villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, wedged into a series of coves between sheer cliffs, their comparative remoteness accentuating the epic backdrop.
Travel between the villages is either on foot or via train. We drove to the first village but found the (minimal) parking are absolutely packed. As such, we had to park a fair distance (20 min) walk away, which in the hot Italian sun feels a lot further than the time would suggest.
The villages themselves are very charming. Plenty of local arts and crafts (if that’s your bag), artisan ice-cream and some very nice seafood restaurants (big emphasis on fishing around there).
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is linked to the next village (Manarola) via the ‘Via dell’Amore’, a walk supposed to inspire lovers/couples. In randomised controlled trials, this walk has shown poor results when compared side by side with Sildenafil.
Details from Manarola
Corniglia is the smallest and most remote of the villages, only accessible via a long flight of steps. At the top, you get a rather nice sign congratulating you on your achievement!
As further reward, icecream is required! Everyone loves icecream (and this was some of the best I’ve ever had)…
…even nuns!
Some stunning views and epic scenery. I only wish my (poor) photo skills could do it justice. If you get the chance, it is absolutely worth visiting. Ignore the fact there will be excessive amounts of tourists, stick on a pair of trainers and spend the day walking between the villages (though don’t forget to stop for an icecream break!).
I spent three days in Riomaggiore a few years ago, beautiful if slightly overun with loud Americans..
The walk along the cliff tops between the villages was stunning and worth the effort. Lots of tunnels to play in if you're that way inclined - the Italians loved the Tuscan we were driving at the time.
The walk along the cliff tops between the villages was stunning and worth the effort. Lots of tunnels to play in if you're that way inclined - the Italians loved the Tuscan we were driving at the time.
Always nice when OP gives an update. Enjoy it!Just booked Manarola for the last week in June - our third time in Cinque Terre and can't wait, love the place. First night in Pisa then 7 days in Cinque.
Yes, it get's busy but you can easily escape - I tend to head for the hills, take the trails, and meet Mrs Loto at one of the villages for lunch which usually involves a fair bit of wine
, then I walk on to the next one and we catch the train back to base for evening and watch one of the famous sunsets.
Train up to Portofino one day and do some super yacht watching then a scampi lunch at Kylies favourite restaurant
Yes, it get's busy but you can easily escape - I tend to head for the hills, take the trails, and meet Mrs Loto at one of the villages for lunch which usually involves a fair bit of wine
, then I walk on to the next one and we catch the train back to base for evening and watch one of the famous sunsets.Train up to Portofino one day and do some super yacht watching then a scampi lunch at Kylies favourite restaurant
Just returned from a fabulous week based in Manarola. Walked most of the area out and as opined above the high level routes are, for me, the best - one day walking from Manarola to Monterosso I did not see another single person (but heard some wild boar foraging!).
As usual lots of Americans (typically friendly if rather loud) and this time noticably a lot more Chinese, all dutifully masked up and who never do any walking - tend to spend time in the villages taking selfies with their Iphones.
The trains are much more expensive than I recall from previous times, and quite unreliable. Many of the locals, especially those in restaurants and other services can be surly - though I guess they do have a lot to endure.
Corniglia is the prettiest and most characterful village IMO being the only one perched on a hill and many of the buidlings stone faced - the sea is a long way down if you want a swim but the walk from there to Manarola is one of the most picturesque, once you overcome the brutal ascent.
'Craft' beer is now quite widespread and some of it is pretty good
The best Gelato is in Vernazza and Rio has the best Fritto Misto
This is our third time and so probably done with it now but I would throughly recommend - it does get busy but you can escape that if you enjoy walking.
As usual lots of Americans (typically friendly if rather loud) and this time noticably a lot more Chinese, all dutifully masked up and who never do any walking - tend to spend time in the villages taking selfies with their Iphones.
The trains are much more expensive than I recall from previous times, and quite unreliable. Many of the locals, especially those in restaurants and other services can be surly - though I guess they do have a lot to endure.
Corniglia is the prettiest and most characterful village IMO being the only one perched on a hill and many of the buidlings stone faced - the sea is a long way down if you want a swim but the walk from there to Manarola is one of the most picturesque, once you overcome the brutal ascent.
'Craft' beer is now quite widespread and some of it is pretty good
The best Gelato is in Vernazza and Rio has the best Fritto Misto
This is our third time and so probably done with it now but I would throughly recommend - it does get busy but you can escape that if you enjoy walking.
I stayed in Manarola for 3 nights last Sept at the wife’s suggestion and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was able to rent one of the garage parking spaces just beyond the barrier as you come into the village so despite the general “no car” advice it did actually work out very well as part of a driving trip from the UK.
Make sure you take some cash. The ATMs in the villages were all out the whole time we were there despite trying repeatedly each day:
Make sure you take some cash. The ATMs in the villages were all out the whole time we were there despite trying repeatedly each day:
As the OP I thought I would give an update, although a few years late :-)
Stayed in Florence as indicated, it was our second stay in the city and loved it just as much the first. We decided to stay in Porto Venere, as it seemed a bit easier to visit the Cinque Terre.
Got the train into La Spezia from Florence, and then the bus out to Porto Venere. Was a bit of a struggle to find the bus stop initially, and didn't realise you had to buy tickets before you boarded. We liked Porto Venere itself, although perhaps staying in May it was a little quieter than normal and because of that some of the restaurants closed up early. We did a boat ride one day round the coast line which was good, and also did a day trip out to the Cinque Terre.
In Hindsight I wish we had actually stayed in one of the smaller towns, as it felt rushed jumping on and off the taxi boat but enjoyable all the same.
Stayed in Florence as indicated, it was our second stay in the city and loved it just as much the first. We decided to stay in Porto Venere, as it seemed a bit easier to visit the Cinque Terre.
Got the train into La Spezia from Florence, and then the bus out to Porto Venere. Was a bit of a struggle to find the bus stop initially, and didn't realise you had to buy tickets before you boarded. We liked Porto Venere itself, although perhaps staying in May it was a little quieter than normal and because of that some of the restaurants closed up early. We did a boat ride one day round the coast line which was good, and also did a day trip out to the Cinque Terre.
In Hindsight I wish we had actually stayed in one of the smaller towns, as it felt rushed jumping on and off the taxi boat but enjoyable all the same.
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