Help decide between Monterosso and Riomaggiore

Hi,

Our cruise docks in Livorno the last week of May from 7AM-7PM. To play it safe, we’re planning to visit either one of these 2 towns using a private tour company. First time in Italy for some in our group, and never been to Cinque Terre, we are not sure which one would be a better choice. Our group includes kids and adults between 8-55 with no mobility issue and enjoys sightseeing.

Riomaggiore is closer to Livorno than Monterosso, but we are willing to cut back our time in Monterosso if it’s a better choice.

On second note, we will be touring the Amalfi Coast in Naples. Would it be better if we visit San Gimignano and the Chanti region instead?

TIA

Biris

Its a fair bit easier to visit San G and Chianti than the Cinque Terre, so yes, I would probably take those options, and see Amalfi. To pick one town out the CT is not a really fair choice.

Thank you CruiserBruce for your reply.

If you are going to be on the Amalfi coast as well, I would do Chianti and San Gimignano as well...We just did Cinque Terra and did all the 5 in a day, and it was not rushed.,But Positiano and the Amalfi coast are more spectacular in my opinion. We just visited San Gimignano for the second time in October and it was lovely....and you cannot beat the wine in Chianti....ENJOY

Riomaggiore wins hands down, just be sure to find the seafront . Alighting from the train walk back towards La Spezia in a pedestrian tunnel parallel to the railway . At the La Spezia end of this pedestrain tunnel, turn left up hill for inland half of the village . Turn right down some steps and under the railway to reach the waterfront and restaurants .

You have raised a few issues. Regarding Cinque Terre, you can easily do at least 2 of the villages, and starting from Livorno we would suggest that Riomaggiore is the closest. Montorosso is one of my least favorite villages (they all have their charms). From Riomaggiore you might want to consider also visiting Manarola since its nearby. But my favorite would be Vernazza. Getting between the villages is pretty easy using the train. If you are using a private tour company they may well suggest parking at Riomaggiore and using the train to connect to any other village you might visit. If I had to simply choose two it would be Riomaggiore and Vernazza....with the third being the relatively small Manarola. Your tour guide will have his/her own recommendations....and you may want to follow their advice.

There is bad news regarding Cinque Terre. In recent years we have found the villages to be literally overrun with hoards of tourists...sometimes to a point where its hard to walk around! Part of the problem is that the Italian government opened up La Spezia as a cruise port....and there can be thousands of cruisers on any given day. Add to that thousands of land tours, independents, etc. and it gets crowded. There is a government plan to limit daily visitors (they have a way to close the access roads) but like many things Italian...a plan is simply a plan and often not action.

As to Naples, it does not make sense to go to San Gimignano from Naples.....as this would normally be a place your would visit from Livorno. The Amalfi Coast is an excellent way to spend a Naples port day, but we strongly recommend doing it with a small (no larger then a van) private tour. The large cruise line excursion buses are not permitted into Positano....so those on cruise line excursions will simply have to settle for looking down on this picturesque village. But a private tour can drive you down into the city...from where you can walk around, browse shops, eat, etc. We also suggest trying to get an Amalfi Coast tour that includes a visit to Ravello (one of my favorite places in the region).

Hank

Thank you all for your suggestions. After doing more research, we decided to go with San Gimignano and a quick stop at Pisa from the port of Livorno. For Naples, our Amalfi Coast tour does include a visit to Ravello. We'd like to stop by La Tagliata restaurant for lunch but afraid that it would be too long. For those that have had lunch at La Tagliata, how long did it take you to finish your meal (or for the food to be served)?

my fave is also Vernazza!