My son and I will be in Cinque Terre (Monterosso el Mare) in mid-July with our RS tour group and we'll have a full free day there. I'd like to book a boat tour to see the 5 villages from the coastline, and stop for swims. RS recommends a couple of guys in his Best of Europe guide book but the link to their website is broken (for me, anyway). There is another small company with a gorgeous website, Angelo's Boat Tours, that is offering day/lunch tours and evening/tapas tours. I am wondering if anyone has taken the Angelo's Boat Tours and what their experience was like. Or, if any other boat tours are recommended. I prefer to have a website to view and book in advance. I will probably want a sunset tour so that we have the earlier part of the day free to explore and hike, and/or relax on the beach in Monterosso. We only have the one free day there so want to make the most of it. I think I would prefer the boat cruise to taking a train to all the villages - love the ocean and offers a chance to cool off. We can still hike to Vernazza in the morning if we want to, or just explore Monterosso, or maybe a combo of both on that day. Would love any feedback, thanks!
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
I'm also planning on a private boat rental when we are there next month, and the sunset seems like the best time to go. On TripAdvisor, if you search Cinque Terre (things to do) there are several boat companies that do these tours, and lots of helpful reviews to help you decide. Angelo's is very popular, and is one I had considered. I'm going with Tiburon, but they all seem similar. Good luck!
Posted by
Big Island of Hawaii
766 posts
SJM, which Rick Steves tour are you taking? We went on the Village Italy in 14 Days tour last September (LOVED it), and part of our tour was a boat ride from Porto Venere to Monterosso. The boat made stops in each of the towns along the way. If you are on the same trip, then you may be duplicating what you've already done by going on another boat tour.
Posted by
OP
British Columbia, Canada
14 posts
Hi, thanks for the posts. I booked with Fish and Chill Boat Tours for a private sunset tour and am very happy I did. I think it will be well worthwhile and the sunset tour frees up the day so we can spend the day hiking, exploring or just lazing on the beach :) . My son and I are going on the Family Tour from London to Florence this July, so we'll be spending 2 nights in Cinque Terre with one full free day there. If thinking about going on this wonderful trip is surreal, I can only imagine what the experience will actually be like! So looking forward to it!