Viator Cinque Terre Hiking Trip
Jun 27th, 2013, 06:18 PM
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Viator Cinque Terre Hiking Trip
Hi,
Has anyone been on the Viator Cinque Terre Hiking trip? Thoughts?
Do you wish you spent more time in the area? How tiring was the hike?
I decided that I am fine with just being in the area for 8 hrs so this tour seems like a good fit for me...just wanted to see if anyone regrets the decision and wished they stayed longer.
http://www.viator.com/tours/Florence...519-5070CINQUE
Thanks!
Nicole
Has anyone been on the Viator Cinque Terre Hiking trip? Thoughts?
Do you wish you spent more time in the area? How tiring was the hike?
I decided that I am fine with just being in the area for 8 hrs so this tour seems like a good fit for me...just wanted to see if anyone regrets the decision and wished they stayed longer.
http://www.viator.com/tours/Florence...519-5070CINQUE
Thanks!
Nicole
Jun 27th, 2013, 08:15 PM
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I've been to the Cinque Terre twice, by myself. Last time especially (September 2011), I saw lots of tour groups, especially at the train stations, packing the trains. So I guess some people do find tours convenient. Yet I have to ask: why not do it yourselves?
Getting to the Cinque Terre by train from Florence is quite easy. Once you get there: buy your park pass and hike. Stop where you want. Eat lunch where you want. Come back when you want. I guess I find train travel pretty easy and flexible though it might stress some people out.
The tour description doesn't mention where you'll hike. I suppose they may have to adjust based on trail closures - but with the swim and the boat ride, I'd guess you wouldn't be hiking a lot. But, maybe that's what you want.
On both visits to the Cinque Terre, I spent a couple of nights there. One day would have seemed too short to me, but I imagine for a lot of people one day might be enough.
Getting to the Cinque Terre by train from Florence is quite easy. Once you get there: buy your park pass and hike. Stop where you want. Eat lunch where you want. Come back when you want. I guess I find train travel pretty easy and flexible though it might stress some people out.
The tour description doesn't mention where you'll hike. I suppose they may have to adjust based on trail closures - but with the swim and the boat ride, I'd guess you wouldn't be hiking a lot. But, maybe that's what you want.
On both visits to the Cinque Terre, I spent a couple of nights there. One day would have seemed too short to me, but I imagine for a lot of people one day might be enough.
Jun 28th, 2013, 03:50 PM
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I agree with Andrew - visiting the Cinque Terre on your own is very easy and will give you many more options than joining a tour.
> Do you wish you spent more time in the area?
I had 2 nights, which translated to an evening, full day, and a bit more than a half day. For my interests, that worked well. I would definitely NOT have wanted any less time in the area.
>How tiring was the hike?
That will depend on how fit you are, how quickly you walk, etc. The stretch from Manarola to Riomaggiore is basically flat and only takes 20 minutes or so. The other stretches involve much more climbing and descending.
> Do you wish you spent more time in the area?
I had 2 nights, which translated to an evening, full day, and a bit more than a half day. For my interests, that worked well. I would definitely NOT have wanted any less time in the area.
>How tiring was the hike?
That will depend on how fit you are, how quickly you walk, etc. The stretch from Manarola to Riomaggiore is basically flat and only takes 20 minutes or so. The other stretches involve much more climbing and descending.
Jun 28th, 2013, 04:27 PM
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kja: <i>That will depend on how fit you are, how quickly you walk, etc. The stretch from Manarola to Riomaggiore is basically flat and only takes 20 minutes or so.</i>
Yes, but unfortunately, that path is closed throughout 2013. Bummer, unless this trip will take place in 2014!
Yes, but unfortunately, that path is closed throughout 2013. Bummer, unless this trip will take place in 2014!
Jun 28th, 2013, 07:15 PM
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Ncz, all I'd suggest is: check out the train schedules between Florence and the CT before you depart. Know when the last trains back to Florence are that don't go far out of the way or have long layovers. Keep the schedule in your pocket. When I do day trips, I tend to have a target train or two to shoot for and allow adjustment based on how the day is going.
Remember, to get back to Florence, you may have to change in Pisa or elsewhere, and many trains probably won't stop in the smaller CT towns (maybe just La Spezia, Monterosso, and Levanto), so you will have to plan on taking a local train to get between towns, perhaps. Some trains are regional so no reservations required; an IC train requires reservations now, I guess. At least with regional trains you can buy tickets ahead of time and hop on any train going home that does the same routing.
I suppose you can just pick a return train home, buy your tickets in advance, and stick to it - but I will point out that one of the highlights for me of visiting the Cinque Terre was seeing amazing sunsets into the Ligurian Sea several times - wow!!! I even saw a crescent moon set into the ocean there one night. There's almost something magical about the place. Anyway, if you don't mind getting home late to Florence, it might be worth staying for the sunset. (There are sites that tell you the sunset at a given location any day of the year if you want to check - maybe for Genoa would be closest.)
Remember, to get back to Florence, you may have to change in Pisa or elsewhere, and many trains probably won't stop in the smaller CT towns (maybe just La Spezia, Monterosso, and Levanto), so you will have to plan on taking a local train to get between towns, perhaps. Some trains are regional so no reservations required; an IC train requires reservations now, I guess. At least with regional trains you can buy tickets ahead of time and hop on any train going home that does the same routing.
I suppose you can just pick a return train home, buy your tickets in advance, and stick to it - but I will point out that one of the highlights for me of visiting the Cinque Terre was seeing amazing sunsets into the Ligurian Sea several times - wow!!! I even saw a crescent moon set into the ocean there one night. There's almost something magical about the place. Anyway, if you don't mind getting home late to Florence, it might be worth staying for the sunset. (There are sites that tell you the sunset at a given location any day of the year if you want to check - maybe for Genoa would be closest.)
.
Jul 1st, 2013, 01:11 PM
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I wouldn't go to the Cinque Terre JUST for the sunset! ;-) But, if you will be there anyway, I would try to stay late enough to see it if you are day tripping. I've got a few pictures of the CT - click on my name to find my website.
I stayed in Levanto both times I visited the CT. It's the next town up from Monterosso and still in the park but not one of the "five villages," a nice town but more of a conventional beach town. I stayed there for budgetary reasons and convenience. (staying solo, I didn't need to pay $100+/night to stay in Vernazza and/or have a bunch of steps). But Levanto is well connected to the other towns by train and not a bad place to stay.
I stayed in Levanto both times I visited the CT. It's the next town up from Monterosso and still in the park but not one of the "five villages," a nice town but more of a conventional beach town. I stayed there for budgetary reasons and convenience. (staying solo, I didn't need to pay $100+/night to stay in Vernazza and/or have a bunch of steps). But Levanto is well connected to the other towns by train and not a bad place to stay.
