The Sun is Out today!
In Rick Steves Best of Europe tour, there is a free day at Cinq-Terre. We wonder which one to choose. We are seniors but able to handle about 5 - 8 miles walking - less if hiking. We would appreciate any advice on which one to choose.
Many thanks!
A couple from Chicago.
Your RS tour guide will give you all the information you'll need for your free day. They will know you better than we.
The villages are so small that I'd do at least 3 of them, not including Monterosso as it looks like you'll be basing in-or-near-that one so you can cover it the day you arrive. You could take a ferry all the way to Riomaggiore, explore a bit, and then work your way back; walk the Via dell'Amore to Manarola (you'll need a timed-entry reservation for this):; train to Vernazza; train back to Monterosso.
https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Eiti_dettaglio.php?id_iti=3575
https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-via-dell-amore
You could also, weather permitting, hike the "Blue trail" to Vernazza, continue your hike to Corniglia; train to Riomaggiore or Manarola: ferry or train back to Monterosso. Corniglia is tiny but was a favorite. I'll caution that the "Blue" involves lots of steps, can be VERY busy, and requires a park Trekking or Treno pass. If using the trains more than twice, I'd get the 1-day Treno pass.
There are some high spots/view points in several of the villages that can give you a bit of a workout without tackling any of the trails at all, such the Church of San Francesco/Monastery of Capuchin Friars in Monterosso +nearby cemetery, and cemetery in Vernazza. As well, some of the villages involve number of steps + inclines to get around.
https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/
https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-card
https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Eindex.php
As noted, your guide will be helpful in this process. It will depend on the time of year - some trails close due to trail damage, some have one way hiking due to tourist numbers, and in many cases you will need a pass to use trails. Weather will be a factor as hiking some of the trails when it is raining would be dangerous and unpleasant if very hot. The 2027 tour details say you stay "in or near Monterosso al Mare" which may be that you stay outside the Cinque Terre (Levanto or similar) so you may have additional travel logistics.
That said, spend some time looking at the details for each of the five towns and see which appeals to you. When more is known about your exact travel situation, you can ask the guide to help you get where you want to go and also obtain the correct permits if needed. You can also call the RS tour office to discuss.
