Right now we plan on spending 2 nights at Cinque Terra so we will have a day and a half to tour it. We want to do he boat trip that travels to each of the villages.
We have other places we would like to go and not enough time to see everything. We will be on our way to Nice and from there on to Paris. We are 2 older couples in our early 70's and was wondering if 1 night was enough.
We went to Cinque Terre in the fall of 2014 and also continued onto Nice afterwards. We were there for four nights and found that to be perfect for us. I would say two nights is the minimum for Cinque Terre. In fact, I'd like to think that two nights is typically ideal for just about any city, depending on what time of day you arrive.
When are you going? The boat trip does not run when the weather is bad and I think is also seasonal due to worse weather outside of summer months.
Char, have you reviewed responses from some of your previous posts? There was mention of your husband having heart failure and being unable to walk 'long' distances. We still don't know what 'long' is or if he can handle even a little strenuous (uphill/stairs) walking? Even if you are able take the ferries- which don't go to Corniglia, BTW - know to expect to have to manage some slopes and stairs.
He can handle a little walking small hills as long as he can sit down from time to time to rest.
You mentioned Corniglia - is that "the place" to go?
Two nights with a full day in between is the practical way to see all five towns. I don't know what time you expect to arrive, but the boats don't run very late (trains do). Your following travel day to Nice takes about 6 hours (from Monterosso) so I doubt you'd get much morning sightseeing done before catching that train.
Corniglia is the smallest and hilliest, with a steep hill or shuttle bus between the town and the train station. I don't think that's what you want.
Thanks for the info
When I was in the Cinque Terre last September, the trains were jammed. Based on the lines I saw in some of the towns, I'm sure it took some of the people two or three trains before the could get on a train. We had a free train pass for the day and didn't use it. Instead, we paid 24 Euros for an all day pass on the boats. The lines for the boats were long, but everyone in line always were able to get on the boat. If the weather is good and the boats are running, I would definitely take them over the trains.
You mentioned Corniglia - is that "the place" to go?
No, I mentioned it as it's the only one of the five which doesn't have a harbor so you can't get there by ferry. You have to use the train, and then take a bus (or hike) to the top of the cliff where the village sits. I really like Corniglia but it's also more challenging to get to than the other four, and can be very easily overwhelmed with midday crowds as it's the tiniest.
IMHO, the Cinque Terre trails aren't a good choice for someone who can handle small hills with a lot of rest stops. The Manarola - Riomaggiore portions of the trail are level enough, but not very interesting. Maybe you should consider staying a couple of extra nights in the Riviera or Provence.
OR, consider taking a boat to Portovenere - that is a very nice trip.
Note: the paved, 'level' trail between Manarola and Riomaggiore (Via dell' Amore) has been closed for several years and will remain so through 2016. The best plan for anyone with mobility challenges is to stick to whatever parts of the villages are most easily managed, and to take them slowly. No need to rush! :O)
My husband and I spent 2 nights in the Cinque Terra in late April this year. We are in our mid-60's. After 3 nights in Rome, 1 night in Assisi, and 2 nights in Siena, we had some moderate mobility issues in the Cinque Terre. Even if you are not hiking, all the walking can slow you down even with good shoes (still had blisters). We did not make it to all the villages, so I would say 2 nights is a minimum to get a good "feel for the area."
char,
Is there any possibility you could add one night to your stay in the Cinque Terre? Two nights will only provide about one full day of touring. If you happen to arrive on a day when the weather is less-than-perfect and the boats aren't running, that will have an impact on your sightseeing plans.
Given the fact that your husband has medical issues, I'd suggest staying in Monterosso. Try to get a hotel with a lift close to the train station in the "new town", and do get a room booked as soon as possible.
Ditto on Monterosso. It's the largest of the villages and also the flattest, which should help with mobility. it also means that there are more street-level hotels. Many of the accommodations in other villages are often located up many flights of narrow and uneven stairs which, even for the able-bodied, can be quite a bit of work.
Yes, Monterosso is the easiest village for your needs, IMHO. I'd already recommended a hotel with a lift a short distance from the train station on one of your previous threads but you need to book ASAP as they fill quickly in advance.
