Live in the moment

You can buy an add-on to the PASS which will allow you to ride the ACTV aerobus and also take one vaporetto trip. Financially I don't think it offers a savings, but you can read about the details in this link. http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice_airport_buses_actv.htm

 

I think you're wise to buy a one-day pass. Having the pass gives the freedom to change your plans, or to take additional trips, without worrying about additional fares. Or in our case we decided to use the vaporetto to other stops within Murano, and we also go on the wrong vaporetto once, but since we had the pass there was no additional charge.

Thank you!!! I'll read that!

When are you travelling to Venice? If peak summer time, then one more word of caution regarding the Vaporettos: Having been there six times now, including July of both this year and last, many Vaporettos are so jam packed, you are not guaranteed a seat or even a view. The views and pics are probably just as good or better walking along the waterfronts and canals than from the Vaporetto!

We'll be there Sept 1-3 and again on the 10th and 11th

Thank you for your reply! I love to walk, but we do want to see 2 of the islands and I'd also like to take pictures of the buildings from the canal. That's the only reason we would do the boats. And my thought with the 24 hour ticket is - if we add individual tickets for three things it's probably cheaper to go ahead and buy the pass. Then I thought if we got a one way bus ticket thrown in - how great is that? :)

I've been reading and reading and planning and planning - and am now thinking about starting my plans over (!)

I had planned on taking the ATVO bus from the airport to PR where our hotel is, walking and exploring that whole day, and getting a 24 hour Vaparetto bus the next day, riding down the No. 1 to take pictures, then going to 2 islands and after dinner later, riding the No. 1 back to PR for night views.

Now we might do a walking tour the second morning - so I'm wondering (and hope someone can tell me if this is right/and will work) -

Can we buy the 24 hour Vaparetto pass at the airport when we land - and take THAT bus to PR (we will each only have a med. size rolling suitcase) - drop the suitcase at the hotel and then using that same pass take the No. 1 to take pictures, then going to 2 islands and after dinner later, riding the No. 1 back to PR for night views. AND if that IS possible - do we validate the ticket every time we get on a different boat? Or just as we are starting out?

Then we would do all our walking/exploring on the second day.

Thanks for any help!!

Santorini is SPECTACULAR! I was just there the beginning of July. We took the donkeys up the cliff which was definitely an experience!!! I would just take the cable car up next time if I ever get the opportunity to return to Santorini, but I am glad we did it. We then walked around Fira until we found a 4-wheeler rental store. We quickly had a 4 wheeler and got to explore the island at our own pace. We traveled from one end to the other! We went and saw the black volcanic beach. The sand was really hot because it's black, and the water was a bit chilly for our liking, but we didn't really feel like having a beach day when we had the ATV waiting for us and so many gorgeous sites to see. We also passed many other beaches. We checked out the bay whose name is escaping me below Oia. and then found a nice restaurant with incredible views in Oia. All of this was found by just driving around. The roads are very easy to navigate. We also passed Santos Winery, but decided not to stop since we were having such a great time riding around taking in the views. To top it all off, our ATV only cost 25 euros!!!

Did you both share the 4 wheeler or do you each have to have one? Also how do you park them if you want to go into a store - are they safe to leave?

Yes, that is the trail. Now, it is right out of Vernazza, so if you are hiking starting in Monterosso, it will be at the end.

I loved one of my photos I took so much that 1) had it blown up to a 24x36 canvas that sits above my living room sofa and 2) is the back of my business cards.

Thanks!!!

depends on when you are going to CT - the ferry does not run year-round. Also, the trails you want to know about are most likely the ones along the coast, not the ones up further up in the hills, right? I believe, as of now, it is still only the trail between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare that is open on the coast. Plan on 2 hours for the hike - it is single-track "goat trail" and rough-hewn steps, so no flip flops. It is largely exposed, so bring plenty of sunscreen, be prepared for HOT hiking, and bring a lot of water (there is nothing available on the trail). With all the new hoards of tourists landing at La Spezia and heading straight to CT, I imagine you will see lots of people unprepared for hiking on that trail. As far as best view, if you take the hike out of Vernazza for just a little bit, you will come upon the viewpoint where the iconic shots of Vernazza and the harbor are always taken. Take a few minutes to walk there, take the view, take the photo, and then you can walk back down into town.

We are going to hike between Monterosso and Vernazza - is this the area we will see the "iconic shots of Vernazza"? Or do we go past to see that?

The only area we would disagree is when to buy a return ticket. The problem is that their are multiple companies (at least 2 currently) running the high speed boats (jetboats and hydrofoils) between Naples and Capri. The companies will not accept each other's tickets and there has never been any discounts for buying return tickets (perhaps this has changed). So a popular strategy is to get over to the ferry terminal (Molo Beverello) as quickly as possible, check the overhead boards for the next boat, and then buy a ticket on that particular boat (regardless of operator). Once you arrive on Capri (the boats dock at Marina Grande) as you walk off the pier you will see the ticket office. Just walk over, check the current day's schedule, and buy a ticket back to Naples (Molo Beverello) on the boat (regardless of operator) that best fits your schedule. The two main boat operators will almost always allow you to go on any of their boats with that ticket, even if it is different from the time you booked. But you cannot get a refund or use another operator's boats. On many of our trips to Capri we have used one company to get to the island and a different company to get back to Naples (because of the schedule). Also be careful to make sure that the boat you take back to Naples goes to "Molo Beverello" which is the name of the complex next to the cruise port. There is another ferry complex in Naples called "Mergellina" which is located a few miles from the cruise port. If you go to that place you will likely need to get a taxi back to your cruise ship.

 

Hank

Do you know if you can use a credit card for the tickets?

I was there at the end of Aug/Sept last year and hiked from Monterosso to Vernazza and Varnazza to Corniglia all in one day. The other trails were closed. Taking the ferry would be ideal, if it is running. We stayed in Cinque Terre and it did not run 2 of the days we were there. Have a backup plan. If you do not have time to take the long hikes, at least walk up the hill at Varnazza at the beginning of the trail and you will get some beautiful shots of the town. There is a hut to buy your tickets as you walk the trail. In one of the pictures you will see the hut along the trail to buy your ticket. You can walk the trail without paying before the hut. You can see my pictures of my hike at

 

http://winenchocolate.com/hiking-monterosso-to-vernazza/

 

Have a good trip, Cinque Terre is beautiful.

Hi! Do you know if the train pass that allows you to get off and on in any of the towns can be purchased with a credit card? And that pass includes the hiking pass I think - is that right?

We're booked on Sept 6th sailing

Last question about Cinque Terre! Can we get our tickets with a credit card or should we make sure we have enough Euros?

Ferry boat is beautiful and runs about 4 or five times a day from LeSpezia going around the peninsula. Takes 2 hours or so to get to Monterosso. Train runs every 10-20 min and takes 20 min. Walk is really easy from cruise port on a pedestrian walkway through nice shopping area. Follow signs with pictures of trains going there and signs with pictures of boats going back. (Don't even have to read)

 

If you take the ferry, the first one is at 9:15. We didn't clear to get off the ship till well past 8:30, closer to 9 so we missed the first ferry and took the train. I think a few people may have made it but be ready to disembark as quickly as possible. The second ferry didn't get to Manarola until past noon, about 1:00 to Monterosso, and we figured that would make for a very late start so we took the train. Ferry was about 75e for 4. Train was less than 10e for all of us.

 

Keep in mind that the ticket machines at the train station are very crowded in the morning so leave time to buy tickets. I think you can get a day pass for the trains online in advance for a nominal fee.

 

We did scuba in Manarola then hopped the train to Monterosso, had great lunch on the beach, walked around town then hiked to Vernazza and went swimming, shopping and gelatoing. Really easy. Took train back from Vernazza to LaSpezia and walked back to ship, shopping and gelatoing again along the way. I hope this helps, Have a great time!!!

Wonderful! Thanks so much!

We're just back from Anthem and a port stop in La Spezia. We walked from the port shuttle to the train station.....about 20 minutes. Didn't see a tram. We were told a taxi was 15 eu each way.

 

This was our 2nd time in La Spezia. The first time we took the ferry up and the train back. The ferry ride is nice and scenic but a lot longer and was 26 eu pp. As you can see in Steamboats wonderful pictures the ferry doesn't stop at a dock. The ferry has a narrow ramp that is lowered onto a rock. You get off and then work your way up a narrow rock path to the city.

 

This time we decided to take the train both ways. An all day train ticket was 12 eu/pp. You can buy it at the train station....just be sure to validate it before you board. We went to Vernazza and then worked our way back. From the train station you can walk down to the town. At Corniglio the town is far above the train station and you can walk the road, the 385 steps or take a shuttle for 2.5 eu/pp. We took the shuttle up and walked down. Manarolo and Riomaggiore are similar to Vernazza and you can walk from the station down to the towns. Scenic and fun.

 

The trains run fairly often and you can get a schedule at the station in La Spezia when you buy your ticket.

PERFECT! This is exactly what I needed!! Thank you!!!!

You can check out my photos for the ferry ride.

 

We asked at the tourist information and they told us that the ferry tickets are sold inside the building. The lady there said she wasn´t sure whether the ferries are running and sent us to the ferry dock for tickets and further information. The sea was calm and smoothe (we had quite a rough sea in Marseilles the day before with two groups of teenagers onboard who were busy feeding the fishes...).

 

steamboats

Steamboats, I just translated your review about CT and it looks like from the picture of the ferry times it takes 2 hours to get from La Spezia to Monterosso - does that sound right? Also the 26 Euros daily rate lets you get on and off the ferry as much as you want?

Thanks all!! So helpful!!

It's about a 20 minute walk and is easy to do, mainly through a pleasant pedestrianised shopping area. You can pick up a map in the terminal building which shows you where to go.

So 20 minutes to walk from the ship to the train station? From there we can take a train to Monterosso and the rest of the Cinque Terre towns?

Thanks for all the vegetarian replies!! We plan on going with our group to Cuines Santa Caterina on Friday night and probably 1/2 will do a Tapas Tour on Sat. night and the rest of us go to the Flemenco buffet and show on Sat.

Thanks!

Is there a place when you get there to pick up a city map?

Which area does she dock in?

Lilybob - was most of the food on the Tapas tour meat and seafood? I'm a vegetarian and afraid there wouldn't be much for me to eat on a tour like that.

We used Autos Vilar. I think I got the recommendation here or on Trip Advisor and we were more than pleased with their service. A very nice Mercedes mini-bus like van and a great driver who spoke excellent English. We arranged for them to pick us up at the airport and two days later take us to the cruise terminal. Worked better than I could have imagined. Our original plans were that the other couple was arriving in Barcelona about 45 minutes ahead of us and they agreed to wait for our flight. As it turned out we were delayed by fog in London so we got in some two hours later than planned. Our driver was waiting for us but he'd already taken the other couple to the hotel and returned. No increase in charge. Service with a smile. :) Their website is www.autosvilar.com . We made all the arrangements via email.

Did you pay ahead of time? Or each couple when they picked you up?

LOVE the idea of giving them the phoney tour and you be standing there with the sign!!!! Which should also say Happy 60th Anniversary!!!!

That's per person?

Yes, Round trip pp is 36.00

Does anybody know how much Royal Caribbean charge for a ship transfer from dock to airport?

$18.00 each way