If we fly from the states to Barcelona, what would be the best suggestion to get from Barcelona to Cinque Terra? Train? Plane? Thanks!
Trains in Europe are dependable, clean, and relaxing - One goes from Barcelona to Nice, France , where you tansfer and go on to La Spezia. From there you take the local to Le Cinque Terre - total time - 10 hours - a nice trip.
Le Cinque Terre - FABULOUS- Be sure to walk the Via Dell'Amore(Lover's Path) from Manarola to Riomaggiore - 25 minute walk - incredible views - cafe part way to stop for a beverage. Also , make sure you see Vernazza - my favorite of the 5 villages.
Ciao, Greg
While I agree with Greg that train travel in Europe is great, his information about Barcelona-Cinque Terre by train is inaccurate.
If you want to travel during the day and into the evening, it will take over 17 hours to make the trip and will require 4 or 5 connections. To see for yourself, go to www.bahn.de. Click on the drop-down flag menu for English. After you get summary timetables for Barcelona to the Cinque Terre town of your choice, click on the arrow to the left of each departure time to see the connecting points.
If I were making this trip by train, I'd take a night train directly from Barcelona to Torino and then other trains as necessary from there to the CT. It will take nearly 18 hours, but you'll have either a couchette bunk or a sleeper bed on the night train. This route is one of the choices given at www.bahn.de.
You could fly Barcelona-Pisa on either Vueling or Iberia and take trains from there to the CT.
We are considering taking the Ferry in 2010 (as an experience) from Barcelona to Civitavecchia.
Thank you for all your replies. The Ferry sounded very interesting, but it seems it doesn't sail at the time we need it (late March 2010). Will check out the flight situation.
Tim's suggestions are the best and his times are accurate. The question you have to ask yourself is....do you want to go directly, or do you want to make stops along the way.
No stops--I'd suggest flying.
Stops--take 2-4 days and enjoy a trip along the coastline. (Or at least close to it.)