We are spending some time on the coast of Italy. We hear there is a hike to do called Cinque Terre. Has anyone ever done this? What to expect, how strenuous and how do we get there? Leaving on Saturday. Thanks.

Jill, I was in Cinque Terre last month (August). It is a wonderful little group of five villages on the Ligurian Coast, connected by a milk-train line that runs from La Spezia. There is great information on Rick Steve's web site and there is also a Cinque Terre website, www.cinqueterre.com. If I can help you with any more specific details, you can email me direct. It was definitely a highlight of our european trip and we plan to get back there next year. Enjoy.

The 5 villages are connected by paths (some are flat and easy, others are more strenuous). The nice thing is that they are also connected by a milk run train if you don't feel like hiking or the weather turns bad. My favorite village of the 5 is Vernazza. We rented a nice room (up lots of stairs) from the Trattoria Gianni on the harbor square. Have a great time!

Jill; My wife and I have done this hike twice, both times from Riomaggiore to Monterosso. It took us about 8 hours, allowing time for a picnic and walking around Vernazza. The most strenuous part are the stairs in some places. The trail is well marked with blue/white blazes but the part leading out of Vernazza (toward Monterosso) can be tricky. Wear sturdy shoes, take a couple liters of water and a camera, lots of photo ops. <BR>

...And don't you miss Portofino! It's just north of Cinque Terre, and is known as one of the most beautiful port-towns in the world, with the most clear-blue water that you can imagine, and famouse Itaian songs were written about it. You get there from Santa Margerita by boat. If you miss Portofino I'll never speak to you again. Amik.

Dear Sir, <BR>there is in MOnterosso, one of the Cinque terre, a monastery where you can reserve bedroom. <BR>This monastery is of XVII century and from up there you can enjoy the wonderful gulf of Cinque terre. <BR>The prices are not expensive; the telefon number is 0039/187/817531. <BR>It is better that one phones, who speaks italian. <BR> <BR>Best reguards PAOLA BIGINI

Jill: <BR> <BR>My husband and I recently traveled to Cinque Terre in May. We stayed for 10 days and stayed in Monetsorro. We choose this town over Vernazza b/c it offered more in the choice of hotels/sleeping and eating accomodations . It also has a nice beach which the other towns do not have. However, if we were to have stayed only a few nights, I would have stayed in Vernazza, it is the most picturesiqe (sp?) town of the five. When hiking the trail, take the train to Rigamorrie, the most south of the five, and hike north. The most difficult trail is from Vernazza to Monterosso. If you coming from the south, it will be your last hike. Email me with anymore questions. Have a great time!! <BR>