Heart of Italy tour

I have not taken that tour, but on the ones I have been on, never is a meal missed.

Looking at the description, I would not be surprised if you have free time for lunch before you get on the bus.

If lunch time happens while en-route, on the bus, there will be a stop somewhere where you can eat.

I suspect the RS office is busy with reunion weekend prep this week, so maybe contact them next week if you have further concerns.

CT-- I suspect you are right

Yes, buses always stop about every two hours for a driver's legally required break. Depending on what's easiest (or most interesting) along the route, highway stops often have both toilets and some combination of store/café/restaurant/gas station. Italy's main highway restaurants will surprise you. (Other times, you'll stop at actual sightseeing attractions or villages, depending on tour itinerary, with some input from the guide and driver.)

Corniglia is probably the least crowded Cinque Terre town because it's not served by the local ferry. Trains stop at the bottom of the hill and then you walk or pay for the local shuttle bus up the hill. Also, any of the towns is less crowded before about 10:00 a.m. If you're an early bird, make the most of it. If you'll travel by ferry, catch the first one.

I was in Cinque Terre early June this past year and Laura is correct, most of the out-of-town travelers arrive around 10 and it gets really crowded, especially in Vernazza and the beach at Monterrosso. Hiking trails start getting busy about the same time. Corniglia is not as crowded as the others, but it is very small. We went there for lunch and by noon, things were pretty booked. Manarola is in the late afternoon wasn’t too bad. However, I would just plan for crowds.

Okay, thanks for all the info!