We will be in CT for 2-1/2 days. We plan to take use the one-day hope-on-hop-off ferry to explore neighboring "lands" but are wondering if we should also plan one day in Portovenere (by boat?). Would like opinions. (We'll be staying in Vernazza.)
Also, any suggestions for food or other must-sees will be appreciated.
Definitely explore Portovenere - and it's included in the ferry day ticket. It's quite historic with a very scenic location - much different from the CT villages. Half a day would be plenty for Portovenere unless you cross the channel and hike Palmaria island as well. Numerous food and must see questions are answered in this article https://www.apathtolunch.com/2018/02/every-answer-cinque-terre-travel-guide.html
I agree with the previous reply in that you don't need to spend a full day in Porto Venere. A few hours and lunch should be adequate. On the return trip, stop in Riomaggiore and visit the other C.T. towns by train. If you want to see Corniglia you'll either have to walk up the long stairway from the station or pay a few Euro and take the small Shuttle.
I'd suggest timing your day so that you end up in Monterosso at supper time, as there are lots of good restaurants there. One favourite with many here is Cantina di Miky, which is close to the train station. Don't confuse that with the more upscale Miky restaurant. As far as "food questions", see what looks good on the menu of whatever restaurants you visit. I always enjoy something with Pesto, as that's the area where it was invented. If you like seafood, you'll have lots of choices.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’d thought one day wasn’t enough time to see all the stops on the one-day ferry route (as I was assuming that the time between drop off and the return ferry to/from Portovenere would be lengthy).
I haven’t been able to find a ferry schedule for 26/27/28 April 2018 but will keep looking.
The schedules aren't posted ahead. Use the schedule link in the answer to your question about fares. The times from last year will be the same or there might be an additional boat.
Thanks, Mike. That link is a wealth of information on CT! It has me wondering about the Cinque Terre Treno MS multi-day card. We're staying in a small apartment rental in Vernazza. Wondering if i should email ahead of time and ask about the voucher so that we could buy that specially-discounted card as soon as we arrive in LaSpezia (on train) before buying tickets to Vernazza. (Though it may not be available at the train station?)
