First I apologize if my spelling is wrong for Cinque Terre.
I am just starting to plan a trip to Italy for next year (hopefully). I had heard that Amalfi Coast is wonderful, but had just started hearing about cinque terre. Can you tell me what the differences are between these two regions so I can try to make a better decision (I know we won't be able to do both)?
Thanks so much

Cinque Terre is a paradise for hikers - with a famous hiking trail connecting the villages which are hardly accessible except by boat, by train and on foot. Otherwise, you find dramatic scenery, picturesque villages - and crowds of tourists.

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of dramatic coastline on a peninsula. You find dramatic scenery, picturesque villages - and crowds of tourists.

IMO, Amalfi Coast has a little bit more to offer: the historical town of Amalfi (with a gorgeous cathedral), the emerald grotto (in addition to the blue grotto on Capri), amazing lemons (including limoncello and wonderful dishes made with lemon juice and lemon peel) and easy access to Capri, Ischia, Pompeii, Vesuvius and Napoli.

In any case, avoid both areas from June to August. March and October are good times to visit.

Above poster has succinctly described the two areas. The CT versus Amalfi debate has been discussed in previous threads.

Which is better - Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35103544

And yes, you don't want to do both regions.

Amalfi Coast - much bigger area and offers day trips to Paestum, Capri, Pompeii, Ischia, Naples, etc.

Cinque Terre is five tiny villages linked by trains, boats or a 7-mile hiking trail

seen one you've seen it all IMO - nice but Amalfi even offers better coastal scenery - esp the bus or car drive along the famous Amalfi Corniche road and better towns

Thanks so much. That simple explanation really helped give me a better picture of what I'm dealing with, and the link to the other posts was very helpful as well. I"m sure I'll be on here a lot in the next year asking questions.

Hi LK - I think the Amalfi Coast wins hands down

Take a phototour:

http://www.worldphototour.org/italy/...tano/index.asp

http://tinyurl.com/3coedn

http://tinyurl.com/yo582h

http://www.pbase.com/mightyone/positano
(- with thanks to Sea Urchin)

http://tinyurl.com/2ml4cs
(- with thanks to Mark)

JMPO ...

Steve

As usual, I agree with Steve James. Simply no comparison.

IMO, I'd suggest Cinque Terre.

Vincenzo

I can only comment on our recent visit to Amalfi Coast. It was WONDERFUL.

We stayed in Rome, took an early morning train to Naples and were picked up by a amazing tour guide from LG Limoservice. He met us at the station with our name on a sign as we got off the train.

We spent 8 wonderful hours driving around the coast and stopping at many little places to enjoy the view or walk around the little towns while our driver waited.

I know that many people on this site said it was too much for a day trip but I think it was perfect.

At the end of our day we were dropped back off at the station to catch our train back to Rome.

The time we spent on this day tour was worth every penny. The Amalfi area is so beautiful.

We did do both on the same trip. Actually we did 3 - flew into Naples and took the ferry to Positano, trained from Naples to Tuscany, then trained to Cinque Terre. 3 nights in Positano, 7 nights Tuscany, 3 nights Cinque Terre. Loved loved Tuscany and Cinque Terre but adored Positano.