Cinque Terre with Kids

I took a 4-year old to the CT by train on a day trip. No particular problems by train - I don't know why you're thinking about boats. The trails between the towns vary in steepness and difficulty. Some may be closed when you visit. You can just use the trains to go between towns and then back to LaSpezia and then Florence. There are small playgrounds tucked away in a couple of the towns.

I find the boat cool. We loved it. Yes, of course, the gangway is narrow, the boat moves (that's what boats do), and the gangway moves (that's why it is flexibly attached to the shore). I don't have a 7 year old, but I know lots of folks who do. One just turned 8 last month. If you let health and safety go mad you wouldn't take your 7 year old out of the house. Heck, they might fall off their bike. Do you still let them have a bike? Of course. Better not let them near the playground though. If you're in Jericho I'm sure you wouldn't take them to the North shore beaches, they might get stung by a jellyfish or a horseshoe crab. Better stay with Jones Beach where the sand is wide enough they can't get in the water. Sorry, rant got the better of me. Of course a reasonable parent can shepherd a 7 year old onto and off the boats. They'd have a wonderful time. Bob, I'm not sure why you need a tour company for that trip. Firenze SMN to one of the 5T villages is an easy one change ride (does take a bit of time). I've done it as a relaxed train day trip including stopping at Pisa (not recomended) and a walk and boat ride. We had (off season) a great time. I can't see the boat guys saying no kids. I'm pretty sure (not certain) that there were kiddos on our boat. Just don't let yourself or them dive off the rocks into the water. Have a great time....

We took our 2 children the entire length of the Cinque Terre trails twice with no problems whatsoever. Our kids are 7 and 4 now, so they must have been about 5 and 2 when we took them there. Our younger child (our daughter) rode in a backpack most of the time, but our son did it all on foot. We think he's part mountain goat. Unless your 7 year old is particularly clumsy or completely uninterested in hiking, I can't think of any reason not to bring him/her. FWIW, I'm terrified of heights, and nothing on the main trails between the villages made me even a little bit nervous. We also took a ferry from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, and I don't remember anything remotely dangerous about getting on or off the boat. I recommend you find another tour company! Ciao,
Meredith

Is this a group tour or a private tour? At the risk of unleashing the wrath of every parent, if it was a group tour I don't blame the company for not taking kids. Your children can probably handle the trail just fine but on a slower pace than a group of adults. I would not be thrilled to be on a tour that was held back to accommodate a child. I will never forget taking the Underground Tour in Orvieto with a couple with two small children that disrupted the entire tour. Bob, the Cinque Terre is easy to do on your own. You don't need a tour. Go on your own and experience it with your child.

I would not suggest a one day trip from Florence to the CT and return- too rushed. You will spend at least 6 hours in transit.