Sure. There even little shuttle buses and elevators you can take to get views in the various towns.

But if you are mainly interested in lounging on the Riveria (hey, what are you? Italian?), why don't you go some place just as gorgeous that costs less and is less slammed out with foreign tourists, has nicer swimming and better food and cocktails to go along with that beach?

I'd pick Sestri Levante or even Camogli. Really lovely scenery and great swimming. You can take a boat from Camogli to San Fruttuoso in June and in the middle of the week, you can have this place pretty much to yourselves (there's a restaurant and bar)

http://ih0.redbubble.net/image.8405249.9270/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg

http://www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/hiking-in-camogli

http://www.comune.sestri-levante.ge.it/

You can always take the train to le Cinque Terre for a day if you feel like it, but you probably won't

We had the same question in our minds before going there
You will be enjoying the next CT town's view just by climbing some stairs-not half of the trail,and then climb down to the town center.
However,you can do Via dell'Amore (way of love)between Riomaggiore and Manarola-it is not tiring.

Yes, certainly. I hiked most of the connecting path, the southern end was closed for repairs, and in general the path climbs up and out of each village from the sea level town centers, parallel to the water then down to the next. So I recall that as I left each or approached another there were views down into the towns. You could follow the path and return after you've seen your views.

I stayed in an apartment up some stairs from the center of Monterosso and if we continued up the stairs there were views from the top.

Excellent! Just what I was hoping to hear!

We're staying in Riomaggiore so I'm hoping the Via del'Amore is reopened but everything I've seen has said "spring 2013"... we'll see if that's the case or not.

Goldenautumn - thanks for the links, looks gorgeous but since reservations have been made and it would be a logistical pain-in-the-arse to go elsewhere we'll probably just stick with CT. We actually got a wonderful rate on a room too since we booked well in advance (and because we were very not picky lol).

Thanks all!

Don't forget to take a padlock or key lock to leave on the fence on Via del'Amore, locking you love to whoever or the walk itself. About a 20 minute stroll..The HOHO train will solve the rest of the stops where you can go with the tourist flow or not as you choose.

That coast is best seen from the water IMHO.

I agree with the idea of a boat trip for the best view of CT towns.Here is the link to help you:
http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/orario.asp?lang=eng

I hope Via dell'Amore will have been reopened by the time you go there---yes,don't forget the padlock

Personally I don't care for the 'padlock' fad, seems like a form of vandalism to me. Very tacky.

Exactly - even worse than throwing money into fountains. At least that can be collected and given to charity.

I never cease to be amazed by the things people will do - in the hope of what? changing reality? silly superstitions? I mean a bunch of locks - how ugly is that?

Oh come on...If you don't like the idea of this don't do it, don't look at it and if all else fails stay away from the site. You probably won't be missed very much. And as always ro each his/her own!!!

The towns encourage it so, I agree. If you don't like it, don't visit Italy.

"The towns encourage it.. "

The "towns" or the tourism promoters? I strongly suspect the latter.

Thanks for the boat link, I would love to get out on the water! The view must be amazing. Hoping for good weather and calm seas.

Interesting takes on the padlock thing... It's certainly odd, but I'm excited to photograph it. But then, I'm one of those odd photographer types who likes photos of locks and door knobs : )

Have seen padlocks in Salamanc also. didn't leave one there but CT on my second trip last year. I have a thing about doors to be photographed. They just call to me. Old, old doors in Spain, France and Italy, (both neglected or well cared for) and the beautiful Georgian doors in Ireland!!

Padlocks, like graffiti, impinge on my ability to enjoy a site. Why should I stay away from a place so you can vandalize it. Would it be OK with you if I stuck a padlock on your front door or porch?

Actually I also have a 'thing' for doors, and in fact for old locks and keys. There's an old padlock, that I got at an antique fair in Spain, sitting right on my desk, I use it as a paper weight. But that doesn't mean I have a right to stick them on public property. Photography doesn't interfere with the next person's right to enjoy a place, leaving a padlock does.

When I first saw these padlock displays years ago I didn't think much of it. But now it's gotten out of hand - they are everywhere, and therefore meaningless. Bet you anything 90% of the people who leave them as a sign of undying love are no longer with the person they were with when they left them.

I've actually read that the padlocks are horrible for the cities,..they are very heavy and ruin the structures of bridges etc so periodically have to be removed so the structure can be repaired...which all costs a lot of money. Seems like a waste of time and tax dollars that could be put to better use these days...

Ditto what Jamikins and Isabel have said.

When I was in the CT several years ago, we stayed in Vernazza and bought some sort of pass at the train station which was good on the trains, boats and trails. As I recall it came in 24 hour, 3day, 5day versions.

I not a professional photogrpher as Maggie is, but I too like doors and windows and details such as door knockers, and door and window latches.

Hope we get as good a TR as Maggie did on Ireland. It was hilarious as well as informative and complete! Even half as good would be terrific!

Oh don't you worry, there will be a trip report

We've rented a Fiat 500 for our Italian adventure. Happened to see one at the grocery store last night and laid down next to it to illustrate to the husband that I am, in fact, longer than a Fiat 500. There is no way that the two of us in a 3-foot car for 10 days is going to result in anything other than hilarity.

You'll all just have to wait for the trip report to see if I join the vandals and declare my love by padlock or if I pose in front of them with an anti-padlock picket sign...

Maggie, your comment on the car and your "wait and see" about padlocks is a hoot..Let's hope the hilarity is a reality and that you don't have to go back to remove your love lock!!!