Questions on Cinque Terre - Appreciate all Feedback!

If your library has it, or your local PBS station is showing it, check out Rudy Maxa's Smart Traveler episode on Genoa and the Italian Riviera.

He goes from Genoa, to Portofino, to the Cinque Terre and then on to Pisa.

There's a direct regional train that goes from Genoa to the CT. No changes necessary. Takes about 1:15-1:30 depending on where you get off.

A car is a liability in the CT. The local train goes between the five villages frequently and there's an all day ticket that gives you unlimited rides. The other way to see the villages is by walking.

When's the best time to go? Sadly, thanks to Rick, and numerous other travel writers, the CT is no longer a true "back door." My suggestion would be to avoid mid June through early September if you don't want crowds.

Grazie Frank II! I will definitely look into that PBS show! Also, thanks for the advice of when to avoid the crowds!

Where did you stay when in CT?

Dorothea,

It is very easy and cheap to get from Genova to Cinque Terre, no change and it takes around 1:30 to 2 hours. check the trenitalia.com website for schedules.

We were there in mid September and only Vernazza was quite busy, I suspect Vernazza was quieter in the evening when everyone left.

I swam in September in Manarola and the water was very warm, we went for our hikes in the mornings, the afternoon we're pretty hot.

We stayed in Manarola, very nice village, but quieter, i would stay there again, the place we stayed at had everything you want except for the view. www.carugiu.com lots of people on this board prefer Vernazza.

No need for a car, trains are cheap and quick between villages and you can also hike to every village.

Have fun!

Hi Dorothea. You definitely don't need or want a car on the CT. Not only can you take the train or walking paths between towns, but you can also take a boat...however the boats don't run in stormy weather.

As for what time of year to visit, I would suggest May/June or early early September. We were there in mid-September & unfortunately a bad storm ruined our 3 days there. We weren't able to hike any of the trails (they close in bad weather too) & I was pretty disappointed. Unfortunately rain can really put a damper on the CT experience so I would not go anytime after mid-September or your risk of rain increases. I was told that the water was still very warm in September though we didn't go in. I didn't find the CT to be that crowded when we were there but "crowded" is a matter of opinion.

We stayed in Monterosso; it is the largest of the towns with more amenities and it's fairly flat which appealed to me. We stayed in a really wonderful hotel but there was no view.

Have a great trip. The CT is beautiful!

Thanks everyone for the great information!

Dorothea,

A few comments (presented in the same order).....

The "best time" would be the "shoulder seasons" IMO (May/June or Sept. Oct.). The CT will likely still be a quite "active" but not too crowded. Even at that time of the year it would probably be a good idea to pre-book lodgings (esp. as you have specific criteria).

To choose the "best place to stay" (based on the criteria listed), wait until you receive the Guidebook and then have a look at the suggested accommodations in all the towns (the websites are listed in the book). The best selection of Hotels, etc. are in Monterosso as it's the largest of the five villages, but all the villages have good lodgings. You might also have a look at This B&B in Manarola as it seems to fit your criteria. As the others have mentioned, Vernazza is the most popular, especially by many here. Corniglia is likely the least popular as the town is located on the top of a cliff, and therefore not as close to the ocean.

It's not difficult to take the train anywhere in that area. The numerous times for the local trains are listed in the book.

Best route to the CT depends on where you're coming from. If you'll be travelling from the north or France, you'll reach the area via Genova. If you're coming from Rome or the south, you'll reach the area via La Spezia. It's very easy!

NO, a car is not required to see the villages and would be nuisance. A single ticket (good for 6 hours) is only €1.40. You can hike one way and take the train (or boat) back to the town you're staying in. Don't forget to validate your ticket in the yellow machine!

Note that a Permit is required to hike the trails, such as the Cinque Terre card. Cost is €5 for one day. There's also a combo-pass available that includes the trains.

On the famed Via dell'Amore, be sure to stop at the small bar and have a "cool one" while admiring the fantastic view!

Happy travels!

Ken and everyone - thanks again for all the great tips and guidance ... you should all join me for a trip there!

Hey Dori, I'll be there in mid-September. Maybe I'll see you there!!

Andrea - great! Is this your first time? I plan to spend my entire 10 days to 2-weeks exploring CT. Not sure of dates just yet ... want to avoid the rain as much as possible (someone informaed me of the storms in mid to late Sept.

Two years ago I did a "Best of Italy" tour and that was great. This time, I want to be independent ... just become a villager for whatever amount of time I'm there!

I work in DC and live in Alexandria, VA ... need I say more?!

I just returned from spending Christmas week in Napa with my daughter! It was great too!

Let's stay in touch just in case our dates mesh!

Thanks!

Dori

We stayed in Genova for 3 days before boarding our ship to the Med. It takes about 90 minutes to travel from Genova Brig. station to Riomaggori. We started there the furthest point and walked to Manorolo about 15 minutes. Then due to a closure on the trail we took the local train to Vernazza. Just use the kiosks at the stations and buy your tickets. The train is direct fron Genova to CT no changing trains. We did 3 towns in a day.
We went the beginning of Nov. the weather was fine but not hot enough for swimming. There was little to no tourists the perfect time for us.The local places to stay are right in the villages and NO don't need a car just hop on the local train to gt to each village or walk.

I went to the CT on Rick's Villages tour a couple of years ago, in September. It was still pretty crowded (2 cruise ships in at La Speza). We actually stayed in Levanto, a pleasant seaside town just outside the CT. at the Albergo Primavera. A very pleasant hotel. The town is very quiet in September and some restaurants are already closing up for the winter.

You can take the train from Levanto to all the CT towns (and Genoea. I did take the train to Riomaggiore and walked from there to Manarola and Corniglia. The first part of the trail is very easy but it gets progressively harder. If you have any fear of heights, forget it - the trial really does cling to the cliffs and afer Manarola it does not have any guard rails. 3 of our tour group did the whole thing in one day and, even though they were all hardened hikers, said it was a pretty tough walk.

After 2 weeks of touring, I really enjoyed taking a "vacation from my Vacation" as Rick calls it and hung out at the beach (sandy and warm) in the afternoon.

The owner of the hotel is a good cook and we had a wonderful meal there - lots of fresh seafood. You need to let him know in advance if you want dinner. There is a good pizza place about 10 mins walk away He also has tables set up on the pedestrian street outside which is nice for coffee, eating your pizza or having a drink.

I think that Pisa is the nearest airport; and then train or bus - Rick's book will fill you in.

Enjoy!

I went to the CT on Rick's Villages tour a couple of years ago, in September. It was still pretty crowded (2 cruise ships in at La Speza). We actually stayed in Levanto, a pleasant seaside town just outside the CT. at the Albergo Primavera. A very pleasant hotel. The town is very quiet in September and some restaurants were already closing up for the winter.

You can take the train from Levanto to all the CT towns (and Genoea. I did take the train to Riomaggiore and walked from there to Manarola and Corniglia. The first part of the trail is very easy but it gets progressively harder. If you have any fear of heights, forget it - the trial really does cling to the cliffs and afer Manarola it does not have any guard rails. 3 of our tour group did the whole thing in one day and, even though they were all hardened hikers, said it was a pretty tough walk.

After 2 weeks of touring, I really enjoyed taking a "vacation from my Vacation" as Rick calls it and hung out at the beach (sandy and warm) in the afternoon.

The owner of the hotel is a good cook and we had a wonderful meal there - lots of fresh seafood. You need to let him know in advance if you want dinner. There is a good pizza place about 10 mins walk away He also has tables set up on the pedestrian street outside which is nice for coffee, eating your pizza or having a drink.

I think that Pisa is the nearest airport; and then train or bus - Rick's book will fill you in.

Enjoy!

I went to the CT on Rick's Villages tour a couple of years ago, in September. It was still pretty crowded (2 cruise ships in at La Speza). We actually stayed in Levanto, a pleasant seaside town just outside the CT. at the Albergo Primavera. A very pleasant hotel. The town is very quiet in September and some restaurants were already closing up for the winter.

You can take the train from Levanto to all the CT towns (and Genoa). I took the train to Riomaggiore and walked from there to Manarola and Corniglia. The first part of the trail is very easy but it gets progressively harder. If you have any fear of heights, forget it - the trial really does cling to the cliffs and afer Manarola it does not have any guard rails. 3 of our tour group did the whole thing in one day and, even though they were all hardened hikers, said it was a pretty tough walk.

After 2 weeks of touring, I really enjoyed taking a "vacation from my Vacation" as Rick calls it and hung out at the beach (sandy and warm)with a book in the afternoon.

The owner of the hotel is a good cook and we had a wonderful meal there - lots of fresh seafood. You need to let him know in advance if you want dinner. There is a good pizza place about 10 mins walk away He also has tables set up on the pedestrian street outside which is nice for coffee, eating your pizza or having a drink.

I think that Pisa is the nearest airport; and then train or bus - Rick's book will fill you in.

Enjoy!

I went to the CT on Rick's Villages tour a couple of years ago, in September. It was still pretty crowded (2 cruise ships in at La Speza). We actually stayed in Levanto, a pleasant seaside town just outside the CT. at the Albergo Primavera. A very pleasant hotel. The town is very quiet in September and some restaurants were already closing up for the winter.

You can take the train from Levanto to all the CT towns (and Genoa). I took the train to Riomaggiore and walked from there to Manarola and Corniglia. The first part of the trail is very easy but it gets progressively harder. If you have any fear of heights, forget it - the trial really does cling to the cliffs and afer Manarola it does not have any guard rails. 3 of our tour group did the whole thing in one day and, even though they were all hardened hikers, said it was a pretty tough walk.

After 2 weeks of touring, I really enjoyed taking a "vacation from my Vacation" as Rick calls it and hung out at the beach (sandy and warm)with a book in the afternoon.

The owner of the hotel is a good cook and we had a wonderful meal there - lots of fresh seafood. You need to let him know in advance if you want dinner. There is a good pizza place about 10 mins walk away He also has tables set up on the pedestrian street outside which is nice for coffee, eating your pizza or having a drink.

I think that Pisa is the nearest airport; and then train or bus - Rick's book will fill you in.

Enjoy!

Stay in the CT during the weekdays. Despite what you may read Riomaggiore or Manarola are the best towns to stay in. Vernazza is the most picturesque but busier, daytrippers in the morning, party people at night.

Would C/T be avisable in late Feb?
Thanks Bob

Bob,

That depends on what you seek. No crowds, but cold temps for hiking the trails. Many places are not open, but enough are, so you won't go hungry. We have been there during that timeframe and enjoyed the moment.

Bob,

That depends on what you seek. No crowds, but cold temps for hiking the trails. Many places are not open, but enough are, so you won't go hungry. We have been there during that timeframe and enjoyed the moment.