Cinque Terre

[MJ123]

Has anyone taken a shore excursion to Cinque Terre? Does it require a lot of walking? Insignia is stopping over in Livorno for 2 days, one day will be devoted to Florence, we are not sure where to go the other day, given we have been to Pisa for a few times.
Any advice / suggestion will be appreciated.

[jrkfrk]

It can require a lot of walking - if you want it to. . .there are paths from town to town, some more difficult than others. There is also a ferry that goes along the coast and is very doable. Or, as we did, you can find a quaint restaurant perched on a hill, and spend the day eating wonderful food and drinking local wine - be sure to try sciacchetra - fantastic!

Fran

[Jancruz]

There is a train from town to town that is fun to take but there is quite a bit of walking if you want to see each of the 5 towns and each is quite different!
Jan
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[MJ123]

Fran and Jan:
Thanks for the info. This is very helpful. How long is the ferry ride, and is the sea rough? Is it a scenic ride?
If you have to choose between Cinque Terra or Siena or Lucca, how would you pick?
Thanks again,
Helen

[digby]

We took a boat from PortoVenere which went to each town. You can just stay on the boat and see all the towns from the sea or get off at each one.

[potterhill]

We took a day trip to Cinque Terre when we were visiting friends a few years ago. We walked between some towns and took the train between others and then took the boat back to the starting point. A lovely day. We had time for a leisurely lunch as well as a swim in the Med and strolling the shops as well. A great day.

Mo

[larablair]

My favorite part of the world!! Cinque Terre is fabulous, though to really enjoy it like the Italians, you walk from village to village, stopping here and there, for a coffee, lunch alongside the Med, reading the inscriptions in the burial walls(fascinating)or just enjoying the incredible view. We never did make it to the fifth town! What we did is walk up, then take the boat back to the 1st town. Guess you could do it the opposite waky Train to the top then walk down!! Next time might try that! RE: Sienna, it is inland, a bit of a drive, since you a doing magnificent Florence, would probably stay on the coast. Ciao Jeanine

[ClaudiaF]

I LOVE LUCCA! If the day you are there is not a Sunday, as everything would be closed on Sunday, would definetly go there if you can't do all the Cinque Terre walking or just want to enjoy a really lovely little town.
There is a great restaurant in Lucca ( open for lunch- VERY charming)..called
Bucadisantantonio
and you can see it at their website
http://www.bucadisantantonio.com

would go to Lucca again just for lunch:) ..

[MJ123]

Appreciate everybody's response. Very helpful. Can someone tell me how long is the boat ride, and how's the condition? Thanks.

[lmsmink]

Fran and Jan:
Thanks for the info. This is very helpful. How long is the ferry ride, and is the sea rough? Is it a scenic ride?
If you have to choose between Cinque Terra or Siena or Lucca, how would you pick?
Thanks again,
Helen
Don't miss Cinque Terra...........We took an excursion that started by train...(can't remember the town) .....dropped us off at one of the towns and we took a short walk along a path with a magnificent view to the next town....had lunch at a waterside cafe and didn't want to leave!!! DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO!!!!!!!!