Hello I'm asking this question for a friend. She's in her mid forties but traveling with her 79 year old mother. Her mother is healthy but needs to take it a bit easier. They're hoping to go to the Cinque Terre towns and have 2 or 3 days. She's wondering if 2 or 3 days would be recommended. Is it reasonable to stay in one town and use it as a base to visit the others or is it better to stay one night in each of the towns.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32847 posts
The 5 towns are all linked by a train line. Each station is about 5 minutes from the next, and there are walking trails - not all open because of damages and seasons - and seasonal boats. When is the friend going?
Posted by
Long Beach, CA, USA
359 posts
it is best to stay in one town as your base and you can easily visit all the villages by train or ferry 2-3 nights is perfect
Monterosso may be the best base for a 79 year old being that it is relatively flat
Posted by
OP
Calgary
24 posts
Hi These answers are very helpful. They'll be there around the first week of May if it makes a difference with the flooding repairs. Diana
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
Donna, I would also recommend staying in Monterosso, and using that as a "home base" to visit the others. Not only is it relatively flat with nice beaches, but there's a greater choice of accommodations there. Two or three days would be perfect, as they could also visit Levanto, Porto Venere or other towns in that region. Depending on the health status of your friend's Mother, she may be able to walk along the famous Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore to Manarola). Note that a Park Pass will be required to hike the trail (there WILL be people checking). There are stairs leading to the trail at the Riomaggiore end, but there's an Elevator if necessary. It's a very easy walk and there's a small Bar / Restaurant part way along, where they can stop for a glass of Vino (or whatever) and just enjoy the view. For a visit in May, I would suggest making Hotel reservations SOON! You might suggest to your friend that it might be helpful to pack along a copy of the Italy 2012 Guidebook, as there's a LOT of good information there on Hotels, restaurants, transportation, etc. (that's Manarola on the cover). You should be able to find a copy in larger bookstores in your area (or you could order online). It's also available in E-book format (at lower cost). Cheers!