La Spezia to Cinque Terre?

[dougt1957]

We will be in La Spezia from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. next May onboard Oceania Insignia. I'd like to see some of the towns of Cinque Terre without going on a ship tour. Does anyone know the best way to get there? How far is the train station from where the ships dock or the tenders drop off passengers? Is there any other way to get there such as taxis or a shuttle bus? I doubt we will try to see all five towns but I would like to walk the Via De Amore and do a little shopping and eat somewhere with a nice veiw of the ocean.

[Eileen G]

We stopped in La Spezia in Sept. It was very easy to take the train from town to town.
Tendering was very easy and we walked to the IT a few blocks to the left from the tender drop off. We were given a map and told to walk down the pedestrian street to the train station about 15 minutes. We found the parks office along track one at the train station and purchased our CT pass for 8.50 which includes the train and hiking. On our first visit to Cinque Terre we hiked between Riomaggori and Cornigila so this time we were planning to hike from Cornigila to Vernazza. We took the 10:07 train to Corniglia. The 10:00 train only stops at Riomaggori and Montarossa. We walked around Cornigila before taking the trail to Vernazza. Part of the trail right out of Cornigila had been badly burned recently. There are a lot of ups and downs to this section of the trail. It took us 2 hours with frequent stops. We had lunch in Vernazza and went for a swim. We took the train back to Manarola so we could walk the Via Del Amore again. When we reached Riomaggori we got a gelato while we waited for the train back to La Spezia. It was a nice walk back to the tender boats through the pedestrian street.
You should probably should go to Riomaggori first and walk the Via Del Amore to Manarola. Before taking the walk go into the town of Riomaggori which is through the tunnel and take a look around. Walk to Manarola explore a bit than get back on the train and take it to Vernassa where you will find plenty of nice places to eat. If you want after lunch take the train to Montarossa which has a really nice beach. After walking around Montarossa take the train back to La Spezia.

[iancal]

It is a snap. We did it last fall, only we trained to La Spezia from FCO and then caught the local. Trains run frequently. There is NO need to take a tour as you can do this on your own. We were 3 1/2 days in Cinque Terre. It is a beautiful area.

[CalSisters]

The other way to get there is by ferry. We did that the last time we were there on Oceania. The ferry stop is just down the dock from where the Oceania tender lets you off.

We took the ferry all the way to Vernazza, looking at the towns along the way. We looked around the town and walked up to the train station. We went back on the ferry, but could have taken the train back to a town to take the walk between towns.

It was interesting seeing the towns from the water. I am not sure what you can see from the train.

Cathy

[euro cruiser]

The water route sounds interesting but may not be available in November.

[PhillyCruiser]

Don't make plans to go by tour boat during the off-season. The weather may not be the best; the sea may not be very smooth. The train is a faster, cheaper bet.

Joan

[dougt1957]

We will be there in late May, not November. Hopefully this will be early enough to avoid the worst of the summer crowds and late enough for decent weather.

[CintiPam]

Originally Posted by dougt1957

We will be there in late May, not November. Hopefully this will be early enough to avoid the worst of the summer crowds and late enough for decent weather.

Great time to visit and definitely not off season. Weekends will be more crowded because many locals go there as well.