I understand that there are boats that travel between the five Cinque Terre towns. Does anyone know where I can find information about this? I think it would be lovely to view the Cinque Terre from the water. I would like to hear from those that have done this, or who know of web sites that detail schedules and cost. Thanks.

It is lovely. You'll get details at<BR><BR>http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/

Sheila - Thanks for the information. It was just what I was looking for. We will be staying in Monterosso. Is the boarding area easy to locate?

Terry, It is very easy and fun. Buy the all day hop on and off ticket and have a blast. It hits 4 of the 5 villages and Portovenere--hit them all, but be aware of the boat schedule. They will give you a current schedule as you board. It is the best way to see the coast---given decent seas.

Hi Terry. My girlfriend & I just did this a week ago, catching a boat from Monterosso to Portovenere, and then getting off at Vernazza (where we were staying) on the return. It was rather inexpensive -- 14 euros each for the roundtrip, as I recall -- and the views of the towns and cliffs (and the castle and pastel "rowhouses" of Portovenere) from the water were wonderful. <BR><BR>The ticket booth at Monterosso is in the old town. It's a small table near the "ramp" which leads to the old town from the new town. And the boats leave from the breakwater which is a short distance from the ticket place. <BR><BR>The only thing we didn't like at all was the boarding "procedure" (pandemonium is actually more like it) at Monterosso. It was extremely disorganized with people pushing and shoving, and passengers disembarking from the boats that were docking trying to get by passengers who were trying to get on the boats, on the same narrow space. They should have let everyone disembark first, and then let people get on. <BR><BR>Anyway, overall, I'd highly recommend it.

Thanks, everyone, for your great replies. I am really looking forward to this. Leaving for Italy two weeks from today.