Cinque Terre in late November

Debbie, The CT shuts down the end of October as far as most tourists are concerned. Restaurants and B&Bs close for Nov-Feb and slowly start to reopen in March. It's very much an outdoor-activity area, so if it rains for your two days, what would you do? I would not waste precious travel days there in November hoping for OK weather. Where else are you going? Can you add the days on to another stop?

Thank you for your reply. I was a little worried about that. I am helping my son plan his honeymoon. They were going to visit Venice for 2 days, Florence for 3 days, CT for 2 days, Sorrento for 3 days, Rome for 3 days. I am a little concerned that Sorrento may be the same as CT, everything closed that time of year. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Sorrento will not be "shut" as such at that time of year. The town itself has a resident population of 16,000 and life goes on. It will feel quieter as they wait for the last busy period of the year ie Christmas and New Year and those hotels open will be on reduced staff. Can be a good time to get a bargain! There will be more than enough restos and shops open. Some tourist souvenier shops may be closed but the major sites in the area are open. Sea crossings to Naples and Capri (which will be very quiet) are, weather permitting, year round. The only thing of course is that daylight hours are at their shortest and to expect some rain and IME windy days. When the sun shines it feels very pleasant.

Thank you, that is very helpful.

If CT is pretty much shut down by November, is there still day trips from Florence to CT or is that pretty much all shut down for the year as well?

We spent a couple of days November in Levanto 3 years ago and loved it. We are going again for three days on Nov. 20 and will stay in Monterosso. Some of trails may be closed because of weather but otherwise it is beautiful. Most places will be open. On our last visit, it did rain/hail one night and the weather was very cool, but we were outside most of day and never had any problems. Enjoyed not having to fight crowds!

Happy to hear that... did you find restaurants were still open that time of year?

Hello Debbie It is impossible know the weather Anyway you find surely minimun 2 restaurant open and the trail open. I was born in Vernazza and I suggest the BEST
Enjoy

Never been to Cinque Terre, and so happy to hear that the trail will be open and restaurants, hotel and B & B's open. Now just trying to figure out which village to stay at in late November... any suggestions?

"They were going to visit Venice for 2 days, Florence for 3 days, CT for 2 days, Sorrento for 3 days, Rome for 3 days." That's a very busy itinerary. It's a HONEYMOON not the Amazing Race. Advise them to slow it down, skip the CT, add 2 nights to Venice. Venice is very romantic and a wonderful palce to recoiver from travel. Remember, 2 nights in a location only equals one day of sightseeing. They will lose 1/2-3/4 of a day each time the relocate in this itinerary. In fact, Venice to the CT is most of an entire day.

I agree with Laurel. The itinerary is too fast. Slow it down and have more time to relax. One day in Venice is definitely not enough. Julia

Hi Debbie-
We did Cinque Terre as a day trip from Florence in late November. We had an extra day in Florence which we left unplanned, since we weren't sure what the weather would bring (considered a day trip to Venice, but would have been too long and the tides were high). We lucked out with a sunny day in the low 70s, so we jumped on the first train out of Florence, hiked the trail, explored the towns (at turbo speed), stopped for a glass of wine at Enoteca Il Pirun in Corniglia, enjoyed an amazing lunch at Gambero Rosso in Vernazza (check if they have reopened after the flooding), and caught the last train out of Monterosso. It was a long day, but well worth it! Many businesses were closed for the season, and we only saw a few hikers on the trail, so if the weather doesn't cooperate, you may not have a lot to "do". Though I would like to have explored at a more leisurely pace (and hope to do so in the future), the day trip was worth it, and easy since we didn't have to change hotels for another night. Bottom line- maybe allow some wiggle room in your itinerary so you could do it as a day trip or even an overnight if weather permits? Safe travels-