Cinque terra tour from Florence
Sep 16th, 2015, 10:22 AM
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Cinque terra tour from Florence
I am looking for a recommendation for a tour guide/operator for a day trip from Florence, any recommendations ? The ones I see have had mixed reviews about the knowledge of the tour guide. Open to journey buy mini bus or train We will be traveling there October 1, 2015 and would like to make reservations soon
Sep 16th, 2015, 12:51 PM
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I live on the Italian Riviera, not far from le Cinque Terre, and I recommend that you not book a tour. First of all, in October, you cannot be sure which days will be rainy and which are not. In fact, this week, in le Cinque Terre, they had torrential rains and it would have been awful to be there trying to be a tourist. You should keep your plans open, and only go to le Cinque Terre if it is a beautiful sunny day. If you want to take the boats there, the day should be calm and not windy too.
Secondly, it is not difficult to get on a train in Florence and go to le Cinque Terre on your own, and see on your own everything there is to see in le Cinque Terre. Typically you need to change trains along the way, but it is not difficult. (I am assuming you have no trouble walking up and down a flight or two of stairs -- and if that is a wrong assumption, you should not be touring le Cinque Terre anyway).
The villages of le Cinque Terre do not have a complicated history that needs explanation by a guide. It is impossible to get lost in any of them.
So my recommendation is that you look at a guidebook about how to make a daytrip to le Cinque Terre, and look at the Trenitalia website to see the train schedules--- and then when you are in Florence, look at the internet to see weather forecasts for le Cinque Terre, and go on your own when you are sure it will be a nice day to be outdoors and climbing hills or going on boat rides.
Secondly, it is not difficult to get on a train in Florence and go to le Cinque Terre on your own, and see on your own everything there is to see in le Cinque Terre. Typically you need to change trains along the way, but it is not difficult. (I am assuming you have no trouble walking up and down a flight or two of stairs -- and if that is a wrong assumption, you should not be touring le Cinque Terre anyway).
The villages of le Cinque Terre do not have a complicated history that needs explanation by a guide. It is impossible to get lost in any of them.
So my recommendation is that you look at a guidebook about how to make a daytrip to le Cinque Terre, and look at the Trenitalia website to see the train schedules--- and then when you are in Florence, look at the internet to see weather forecasts for le Cinque Terre, and go on your own when you are sure it will be a nice day to be outdoors and climbing hills or going on boat rides.
Sep 16th, 2015, 01:19 PM
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It does seem odd that someone would complain about the knowledge of the tour guide for le Cinque Terre. These were fishing villages and now they are tourist villages. Not much specialized knowledge needed.
I wouldn't book a tour either, but if I wanted criteria on which to base my choice, it would be length of time for the trip, comfort of vehicle, time at each village, things like that.
I wouldn't book a tour either, but if I wanted criteria on which to base my choice, it would be length of time for the trip, comfort of vehicle, time at each village, things like that.
Sep 16th, 2015, 01:37 PM
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comfort of vehicle>
Yes from florence but once there no vehicle can cart you around to the car-less middle three villages so you can either hike between the towns or take trains or boats not a chauffeured tour bus.
Like others say go on your own - save a few hundred euros - teh joy of the Cinque Terre are the villages themselves - no tour guide needed really.
Yes from florence but once there no vehicle can cart you around to the car-less middle three villages so you can either hike between the towns or take trains or boats not a chauffeured tour bus.
Like others say go on your own - save a few hundred euros - teh joy of the Cinque Terre are the villages themselves - no tour guide needed really.
Sep 16th, 2015, 01:44 PM
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>>>These were fishing villages and now they are tourist villages.<<<
There are still natives fishing in the waters off le Cinque Terre and, more importantly, grape growing and wine production is still an important part of the life of le Cinque Terre, and still shapes the landscape of le Cinque Terre. It is rather remarkable that, despite the tremendous difficulties of growing anything on the le Cinque Terre cliffs, many locals have not sold out to developers but instead continue traditional cultivation of the land.
Most of the fishing is for anchovies, which is done at night, and therefore toursists visiting might get a false impression that the fishing boats in the harbors are merely picturesque. But they are for real.
But all of this information can be found online or in a guidebook for those interested.
There are still natives fishing in the waters off le Cinque Terre and, more importantly, grape growing and wine production is still an important part of the life of le Cinque Terre, and still shapes the landscape of le Cinque Terre. It is rather remarkable that, despite the tremendous difficulties of growing anything on the le Cinque Terre cliffs, many locals have not sold out to developers but instead continue traditional cultivation of the land.
Most of the fishing is for anchovies, which is done at night, and therefore toursists visiting might get a false impression that the fishing boats in the harbors are merely picturesque. But they are for real.
But all of this information can be found online or in a guidebook for those interested.
Sep 16th, 2015, 02:05 PM
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In fact it is easier to get to the Cinque Terre by train instead of bus or car. The villages remain (somewhat) unspoiled because they were off the roads, isolated on the sea. The 5 Terre are connected by train and boat and paths. Most of the villages require leaving your vehicle up high and away from the town. You walk down and then you walk back uphill when it's time to leave.
If you go by yourself on the train, you can move between towns at will by train, boat or the paths. If weather has been bad, some of the trails may be closed. Boats travel less frequently off-season and not at all if the sea's rough.
If you go by yourself on the train, you can move between towns at will by train, boat or the paths. If weather has been bad, some of the trails may be closed. Boats travel less frequently off-season and not at all if the sea's rough.
Sep 16th, 2015, 05:41 PM
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Thank you ALL for the amazing and honest guidance. I most of all appreicate the comment about wait and see what the weather accomidates and work with that rather than being tied into a committed day and itenary. And thank you for reminding me why I want to visit this beautiful area....to explore the unspoiled villages and admire that views, wonder around the villages and soak up the atmosphere. Tour is out but a visit is a must! Thank you !!
Sep 20th, 2015, 07:44 PM
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Walkabout Florence provides a fantastic tour. Im 40 and my 23 yr i
old niece and i both loved it and decided to do a Tuscany tour with them too. Lots of free time to explore, great tour guides who give you as much guidance as you want. Best day trip !!
old niece and i both loved it and decided to do a Tuscany tour with them too. Lots of free time to explore, great tour guides who give you as much guidance as you want. Best day trip !!
