I would love to spend 1-2 nights in the Cinque Terre. I see day trips from Florence but that is too rushed for my taste. Has anyone seen any tours that leave from Florence, spend an night or two in Cinque Terre and then return you to Florence? TIA!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23548 posts
Short answer is NO. That is exactly what you do on your own. Train fare is cheap and quick. Pick your town in CT, book a hotel for one or two nights, take train from Florence, hit the TI when you get off the train for local tours, and enjoy your stay in CT.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6285 posts
Yes, absolutely easy to do on your own
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16369 posts
Throwing my vote in with Frank and Jules: you don't need a tour for a 1 -2night stay. We did it on our own (3 nights; by train) and it really wasn't difficult at all. A good resource for boning up on the region is here, and you'll get lots of help on the forum too. :O)
https://www.apathtolunch.com
https://www.apathtolunch.com/p/area-infolinks.html
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2623 posts
I'm somebody who would always vote for a tour if available, but some places are just about experiencing rather than touring. Cinque Terre is such a place. Transportation to CT is simple and wandering and exploring while there is the main draw.
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
I would agree with others who suggest visiting CT on your own. Many years ago we were on a culinary tour of Tuscany & our group spent two nights in CT. Once we arrived we were “on our own.” Many of us did a self-guided hike of the towns. Some chose to take the train. If interested my favorite blog was updated 5/2021. “Hiking the Cinque Terre: What you need to know.” earthtrekkers.com
Posted by
Chicago
8124 posts
...........simply DIY
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6285 posts
You might research which town you'd like to stay in. RS describes them fairly well in his guide. We liked Manarola a lot, others might find it a bit sleepy. If you do decide to stay there, we loved where we stayed and the views over the town and ocean were nothing short of amazing. www.ariadimare.info . We really enjoyed the restaurant just down the lane and had wished we'd eaten there two nights. It also has lovely views. www.trattoriabilly.com . If we returned to CT, it might be just to stay at Aria di Mare and eat at Trattoria Billy!
Posted by
Fort Mill, SC, USA
70 posts
We stayed at Aria di Mare several years ago. The views are spectacular but be advised—it’s a hike up the hill, not fun with luggage—and you won’t be spending much time in your room! We are planning to return in 2022, but we’ll look for a place that doesn’t require an uphill hike!
Posted by
California
1625 posts
Megs, I think two nights is all you need and like many others stated it is super easy to do it on your own. The website RomeToRio will give you exact details on how to transport there. We like to stay in Monterosso, because it's the largest and not too hilly (for my knees). So on The RomeToRio Website the first screen is "where to"? If you start from Florence to Monterosso al Mar it will give you a solution for bus, train and driving, choose train. Pick your date and try to find the train with One transfer, which should be in La Spezia. You can book on the website or go directly to the Trenitalia website and find that route and buy your tickets, which is what we like to do. The cost is about $45 round trip.
Part of the fun of travel is doing scary things, or things you are not familiar with and getting lost, making mistakes...BUT you're in Italy so how bad can it be!