Hello!

My fiance & I are planning our honeymoon , and really want to visit the Cinque Terre region. We have planned the rest of our trip, but still have these 5 nights open between lake Como & Florence & were thinking to go to CT. We are definitely interested in exploring the 5 villages, and hiking, but are also interested in exploring the rest of the coast (Portofino, Santa Margherita). We are just wondering if allowing 5 nights to do this is a good idea, and if there is enough to see & do. Is it easy enough to take trains to these various places? Also, we are wondering if people recommend Vernazza or Monterosso or neither? We will be booking fairly late since we plan to be there starting Sept. 4th. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I feel 5 nites is too much in one location on that coast. I would stop in SML for 2 nites and then move down to Levanto or Monterosso. Good luck !

Sunshine1,
It depends on you and how fast/slow you like to travel. We stayed there 4 nights (it was our honeymoon, too) and I think it was perfect. It was May, so not too crowded or too hot, we hiked, walked the towns, took a day trip to Portovenere (boat trip which I highly recommend). We also wanted to take a day trip to Protofino, but in May the boat only goes there on Sunday, so we missed that.

Depending on you and when you are going, I don’t think 5 nights is too much. You’ll love CT!

Sunshine - it all depends on if you want to be completely on the go or have some down time. I have been twice and spent 2 nites each time and never felt like I was bored.

Do stay in Monterosso - the beach is nice and relaxing - the old town is better than the newer town but the whole place is very special. And with 5 nights, it has the most to do and the easiest access to trains for day trips.

A lot of people just breeze thru the CT - in 5 nights you could really get the feel for it.

I liked the Hotel Suisse Bellevue in Monterosso if you can get a room in front with a view. The views make the hotel worthwhile. Particularly front corner room. www.hotelsuissebellevue.it I always stay here when in Cinque Terre. They are a 10 minute walk up the hill from beach. They have a shuttle every half hour if you don't want to walk. The rooms in the front side of hotel have balconies with beautiful views of the coast. Hotel offers access to one of the beaches in town. Cinque Terre is great for outdoor sports. A little swimming, great hikes especially from Monterosso to Vernazza. I prefer Monterosso of all CT towns if you plan on swimming. Also took train to Rapallo from Monterosso. Then took boat from Rapallo, S. Marguarite, then to Portofino. Easy day trip from Monterosso. You can also take a beautiful walk along seaside from Rapallo to S. Marguarite then catch boat to Portofino.

I think 5 nights is fine and you will have a great chance to relax. There are boat trips you can take to other ports and train rides to other towns, including Genova, if you want more action.

i think most people who plan to stay one night miss the point of CT...the walk between the five villages. to try to do this walk (even just one way) without a FULL day is madness in my opinion. with "full day" meaning that you don't travel on the day of the walk. this requires at least two nights.

but is five nights too much? CT is not one of my absolute favourite places for various reasons. however, it does have buckets of natural beauty. if it is not too crowded when you visit (may well be in first week of Sept), i can think of much worse things to do than to spend five days on a beautiful bit of coast.

i think spending five days on the coast is a great idea. since you have chosen CT as a coastal base so i think five days there works. i don't know about the trains...but even "stuck" in CT for five days would be nice for you.

My sister, brother-in-law and I spent a week in the CT in April, 2004. It was a wonderful relax for us. My BIL has a high powered job and needed a chance to just hang out. I had had a hectic few months and found this a perfect beginning to our two weeks in Italy.

We broke the hikes up into three days and just poked around the towns, sat at the harbors to people watch, took the boat between the towns.

The rainy day we took the train to Pisa. Left midmorning and were "home" by suppertime. It was a good trip.

One day we went into LaSpezia by train and picked up a rental car to explore some of the hilltowns, especially San Gimignano.

We did not feel as if we had spent too much time. We enjoyed being able to hike and explore at a leisurely pace.

I think you can get to Portofino and SM by boat or train for a day trip.

We liked not having to pack and unpack every night or even every two nights.

Enjoy!

We did 2 nights Santa Margherita Ligure and 3 nights Monterosso a few years back (off season) and found that to be a great combo.

I stayed in Santa Margherita for four nights years ago and am thinking of going back for a week. Lots of lovely towns to visit and, of course, the hike between the five villages. You can read my trip report and see my photos at:
http://www.travelswithdiane.homestead.com/Italy6.html
Diane

Would the Hotel Suisse Bellevue in Monterosso be a good place for a honeymoon couple? I've seen raves about the Villa Steno as well--but just as many rants. My son and his fiance are considering the Cinque Terre for part of their honeymoon, and I know they'd like a beach and a beautiful view. It will be the first week in July, so air-conditioning is a must too.

We spent 4 days in the ct in 2002 a year aftre our wedding and it was perfect. Like your trip we were in europe for an extended time always traveling and seeing things, it was great to slow down hike along the coasts, lay on the beach, and stroll through the towns. Incredible place, plus the siestas are perfect for a newly married couple. There's nothing like quality time overlooking the med from a room with your new spouse. NOTHING!

I too recommend Monterosso and the boat to Portovenere. You'd probably be happy in Vernazza, too.

I think 5 nights would be OK, especially since you seem set on some relaxation. You could fill your days with the boat tour, hiking and seeing the 5 towns. Nights would be for dining, visiting a few bars here and there and ... well, you know.

Have fun.