We have 2 nights (between leaving Venice and arriving in Rome by train) and are tossing up between the Cinque Terre area and Lucca. It will be mid July so crowds will be significant everywhere, and we are a family of 5 (youngest 13). If we stay in the Cinque Terre area, then we could get up early and perhaps? enjoy a slightly less crowded walk along part of the track (we are thinking the Monterosso- Vernazza section). Would we be better to stay in Lucca and take a train into the cinque Terre area for just a few hours in the evening, hoping most visitors will have left the paths for dinner? The trains don't seem to run this route any earlier than 8.30am so the morning is out.
Opinions from those who have been there during Summer would be much appreciated.

Be prepared for hot weather. Walking on the Cinque terre paths in full sun is rough. But, I would stay there, and go out in a the AM, and find a place to swim and doze in the afternoon. Lucca is fun but maybe not enough for the younger ones to do.

Think about taking a boat to Cinque Terre. I know that boats leave from Portovenere.

You might discover when you get to CT that the hiking paths are clogged with trekkers, even early in the morning, since CT still attracts serious hikers, and it is simply too hot to go walking in July in the unshaded hills in the afternoon.

I might opt for plan B, with an afternoon boat trip to CT. Depending on where you park your car, you could take the train back if you want to stay later than the boats are running. But you might discover once you are there that seeing the dramatic position of the town from the water is enough.

Or perhaps a combination of boat rides and train rides between the towns?

Thanks Italyagain, Nessundorma & annw.
I've spent so many hours over this decision, principally because I think the Cinque Terre coast is beautiful & would really like to spend some time walking there. The location for this 2 night stay, sandwiched between Venice & Rome in July ( and some of us being somewhat crowd phobic) Ive decided on Lucca, and will attempt to enjoy a visit to the Cinque area by boat- it's possible that boats can be hired?, there certainly seems to be a service between La Spezia & the 5 towns. Perhaps by early evening the tracks going away from the coast might not be too congested.

Regarding private boat hires and schedules for the regular boats to CT, there is an American woman named Megan who lives in Portovenere who is very generous about answering questions about the CT area, and you should either contact her directly or post a message on the Slow Travel website, where she frequently posts.

Here is her website:

http://www.bellavitaitalia.com/pages/3/index.htm

With 5 people I would have a car and make the entire scenario much easier.

Thanks Bob, we haven't completely ruled out a car, though there are a few things going against it. This is our first visit to Italy, and not only do we come from Australia (we drive on the left hand side of the road), we do not read Italian,(and it would appear Italian signage is somewhat ordinary anyway), and we are a bit concerned about travelling on major freeways, especially entrances & exits. We thought the above might make us somewhat hazardous, and given we only have need of a car for those 2 days it might also not be a good option financially? I did eventually persuade the Trenitalia internet service to locate train travel a bit earlier than the previous 8.30 option. I had previously entered 06.00 as departure time, but when I entered 05.00 it delivered on 6am and 7am options. One of the idiosyncrasies of the system?
Italyagain, I think I have to deliver on a quick stopover in Pisa on the way to the CT, so with a boat trip and possible hike (short) in the early evening we won't actually spend much time in Lucca.
Nessundorma,Everyone comments on how hot it is at this time of year so this might influence decisions. We live in Brisbane and are currently experiencing our longest, hottest summer (4 months of mostly 32deg & mod high humidity)-whilst we wouldn't attempt to hike in those temps a boat trip sounds good, so I will take up your suggestion to contact Megan.

Understand !
My wife will not let me drive in NZ because of perceived safety issues.