I wouldn't bother with a "day tour" of the Cinque Terre as it's relatively easy to do that on your own from Florence. I'd suggest planning for a longer day so that you'll have a chance to see all five of the towns.

It would help to know whether you're "comfortable" with using the trains in Italy? On the trip from Florence to the Cinque Terre, there are often one or two changes, depending on which trains you choose.

In terms of how to structure that trip on your own, have a look at the suggestions I posted recently in another thread - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/visit-to-cinque-terre .

How do we get there? Are there running trains from Florence to Cinque de Terre?

Marti, looking back at some of your previous posts I'm a little confused. In an earlier post, you stated that you had already booked train tickets to day-trip Venice from Florence, and a tour to the Cinque Terre.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/tour-questions-venice-genoa-florence

"we get back from the cruise on the 6th and off to Florence via train. 7th we rest and explore Florence, then on the 8th we go to cinque terre with a tour and on the 10th we go to Venice on our own on the train. The 11th back to Genoa via train to catch a flight to Barcelona.."

"We have booked our train to Venice from Florence so YES :( we leave on the first train apprx at 7.00 AM and come back around 7.30 PM."

And you were given some ideas for Florence/day trips with the kids as well:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/florence-9ef53020-ab97-4d79-9020-156ec18ff1ec

Not sure what additional information you're needing? Or did you cancel your tickets/tour and overhaul your schedule? According to the one posted above, your only free day is the 9th. As you've only given Florence one day, I'd spend that additional one covering more of the city: it has plenty to keep you busy for 2 days depending on interests (and we don't know what those are).

I've added to my original post.

YES, there are numerous trains from Florence (Firenze) the Cinque Terre. You can see all the solutions on this website - http://www.trenitalia.com/ . You'll need to use the name of the specific town as your destination, as "Cinque Terre" is not a destination.

If you can provide some further details on your trip, I can provide more detailed suggestions.

Cruise was cancelled.. It was a huge mess :(

Which of the 5 do you recommend?

I'd suggest going to Monterosso first and then working your way south towards La Spezia. A second option is to go to Corniglia, hike to Vernazza and then visit the other towns by train or boat. If you plan to hike, that puts the hike early in your day when everyone is still fresh. With two youngsters, keep in mind that the open trails are strenuous and that the train from Florence is about 3 hours each way. Be sure to try pesto with your meal.

Which of the five do you recommend?

Did you read the suggestions I posted in the other thread (link is above)?

Yes Ken this is what I get

Rick Steves Can't Find Your Web Page!
He is exhausted and has given up because it apparently doesn't exist. You might find it using the Search tool above.

Or, visit Rick Steves on Facebook, watch his videos on YouTube, or start from the beginning of Rick's European travel website.

HTTP 404

We are now flying from Spain to Venice.. We no longer have to do that one day to Venice instead we are staying there..
This is OUR FINAL draft.. Hotels, trains and all air has been paid for!
Now Im just doing the tours/places we want to see etc...

Barcelona 9-19 to 9-23
Madrid 9-23 9-27
Seville 9-27 10-2
Then we fly to Barcelona to fly to Venice
Venice 10-2 10-6
Florence 10-6 10-11
Fly from Florence to Barcelona to go home 10-11 10-13

10/13 Fly home!

As you can see the trip changed A LOT.. My first one was quite crazy and all over the place but witha lot of reading and taking in a lot of suggestions from this amazing site I am a lot happier with what came out of it!

My comment in your original, now deleted post on CT, was to spend a night in CT. Seeing your schedule it is clear you would be paying for 2 hotels one night. However, you could just pack a light one night bag, and have time to really see the towns. They are all close together so you can base yourself in any. Monterosso is the largest and has the best beach, a place the kids can enjoy.

Depending on cruise boat schedules you could have a swarm during the day when you would be there if just doing a day trip from Florence and miss the late afternoon & evening and morning charm of the area.

martica,

That link in my first reply should work for you now. I normally check links that I post, but that's "awkward" when I'm posting from an iPhone.

....the train from Florence is about 3 hours each way.

There are 2 specific trains - one going from and one returning to Florence - that take a little over 90 minutes each way. These are high-speed Frecciabianca trains with assigned seats/carriages.

The one leaves from Firenze Campo di Martre station at 7:36 AM and arrives in La Spezia Centrale at 9:11: 1 hour and 35 minutes. In La Spezia, you'd switch to a regionale train to any of the 5 villages.

Returning to Florence, there's one leaving La Spezia Centrale at 20:03 and arriving at Firenze Campo di Martre at 21:40: 1 hour and 37 minutes.

Hi Martica,

Since you changed your itineary, I will have a few suggestions:

• Barcelona: you will be there during on their biggest annual festivals. We were in Barcelona at the same time last year and actually modified our touring schedule to attend one of the parades and see the fireworks. At the parade, we were there with a lot of Spanish families with children your age. It was really fun. Here is the link for the activities: https://www.barcelona.cat/lamerce/en
• Food tour: Devour tours is amazing local food tour company and they have food tours for families. We took their tours in Madrid, Granada, and Seville, one of the best experiences we had in Spain. They have a kids tour that gets good reviews; you get a walking tour of the major sites, along with activities for the family, and great introduction to local food. Here are the links if you are interested. https://devourbarcelonafoodtours.com/tours/tour/Barcelona-Family-Tour/ and Madrid:https://madridfoodtour.com/tours/tour/Madrid-Kids-Walking-Tour/
• Seville: this is the place to see Flaminco

On the Italy portion of the trip, I don’t have specific things to recommend to do with children, we went there in June and we had college-aged girls. However, if the weather is good and the kids are worn out, you can take them to Lido beach in Venice. If you decide to go to the Cinque Terre, you can do a day trip from Florence. Monterosso and Vernazza are two of the towns that I would recommend for a day trip. If you arrange your schedule, one of the highlights of my Cinque Terre trip was a sunset cruise, but they also have a day cruise. You are on the water for three hours, having time to see all the villages from the sea and time for snorkeling, swimming, and a snack. We used Fish & Chill and Diego was an amazing captain. Here is the link: http://www.cinqueterreboat.com/index_eng.html.

Have a great trip,
Sandy

Kathy thank you so much for the trains

I have secured 09:53 Firenze Santa Maria Novella TO12:20La Spezia Centrale 2h 27m
Direct Best Price US$13 Per person
However what site do I use to get from La Spezia to the villages? Or do I wait to get those once I arrive at La Spezia?

TY
Martha

I also found this..
Im thinking it might be the easiest way

stationFrom
stationTo
09:53

Firenze S. M. Novella
12:32

Riomaggiore
23353

23353

hourglass_grey 02:39h
59.34 $
ORDINARIA:REGIONAL 2nd Class
solution with change
Train# Departs From Arrives To
23353 09:53 Firenze S. M. Novella 12:20 La Spezia Centrale
21196 Cinque Terre Express 12:25 La Spezia Centrale 12:32 Riomaggiore

Taking the train from Firenze Campo di Martre to Riomagiore. Seems good at an avg of 2.5 hours...
We are leaving at 10 AM and arrive around 12 15 is departing at 7:30 good enough to see some of the villages and have lunch? We could maybe walk the hike between one or two villages (time wise permits)
There are earlier trains but I don't want to overdo it with my children.. Thoughts?