My friend and I are visiting later this summer. We fly into Venice, spend three days there, then go to Florence for three days, then three days in Rome, flying out of Rome. Our stays in Venice and Rome are locked, but we have some flexibility on our Florence stay and would like to try and squeeze in a day in CT. Can anyone offer advice on whether it would be better to go between Venice and Florence, while in Florence, or after Florence? Thank you!
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
Hi Rebecca,
Based on the trains, you would probably want to do it either in Florence, or after Florence as from Venice you would pretty well need to travel through Florence to get there anyways. If you are taking trains around, make sure that you consult the Deutsche Bahn website for the travel times, so that you can better make the decision as to where in your itinerary it might best fit.
Posted by
OP
Santa Monica, CA, USA
4 posts
Thank you very much for the advice! It does seem like going from Florence would be the easiest. I'm going to investigate - and check out that website.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Rebecca, I would say that it's much better out of Florence. Overall, you'll save about 2.0hrs travel time over traveling to the CT from Venice. Next, I offer Larry's suggested one-day trip to the CT. You might want to reduce it a bit for a shorter visit.
It's a long day but you can hike two of the four trails between the towns and visit four of the five towns. Just don't try to squeeze in Pisa and/or Lucca along with the CT.
Here's a suggested routing. Take the train from Florence to Riomaggiore. I suggest the 7:51am train from Florence that gets you to Riomaggiore at 10:08 with a train change in La Spezia Centrale. There is an earlier train to La Spezia but you will wait an hour for the next train to Riomaggiore. Leisurely stroll down the main street to the water. It's only about 500 feet or so. Try to find a TI to purchase a 1-day Cinque Terre Treno pass. This provides unlimited train and trail travel in the CT.
Walk the famous first trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola (30 minutes). It's beautiful). Note that there are ticket booths on the trail. Your CT Treno card will cover the fare. Tour Manarola (20 min). Pick up the 2nd trail in Manarola and hike to the Cornigla train station (45 min). Skip Corniglia which is high up on the bluff. Instead take the train to Monterosso. It's about 12:30 now. Tour Monterosso (about 1hr.). Have lunch there or take the train to Vernazza and have lunch there. Doesn't matter. Both great. Tour Vernazza. It's about 3:00pm-4:00pm now. You can extend your town visits and stay later. Finally, take the train from Vernazza to Florence (about 3.0hrs). Or, if you are really adventureous, take the ferry from Vernazza to Portovenere and then take the short bus ride to La Spezia Centrale and pick up the train from there. There's your long day.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32322 posts
Rebecca,
You can purchase the C.T. Card at the train station in Riomaggiore. If you purchase the version that includes the trains, you'll have to validate this, similar to a train ticket. You'll need the card to hike the trails.
When you arrive in Riomaggiore, you may be met at the station by the ever vigilant Mama Rosa, trying to "encourage" you to stay at her Hostel. She doesn't speak much (any) English, but try to communicate that you're just there for the day.
If you hike the famed via del'Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola, there was a Bar part way along, so you can stop for a "cool one" and enjoy the ocean view.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Wodonga, Australia
440 posts
Rebecca, I had a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre. Expensive, but the only way I could manage to fit it in. http://www.viator.com/Florence/d519-ttd Scroll down to the Small group Day Tour to CT. I would thoroughly recommend the trip.