What is there to do & see in/around/near the port of La Spezia, Italy?

[kerrykobik]

Does anyone have ANY recommendations on what to do when arriving into the port of

La Spezia , Italy? We are cruising on the RC Symphony of the Seas in April, and will be there from

8;30am-8;30pm. We do not like any of the shore excursions offered by Royal Caribbean. We would like to stay away from any actual "tours" and such. Looking for "hometown/local" things to do .

Wether it be a cooking class, a wine tasting, quaint little town or awesome restaurant, hidden gems,something other than just tours and sightseeing alone. Any "must see/must do" places ? Open to Any/All suggestions.

 

Also , transportation to get around?

 

Thank You in advance for your advice and recommendations

[Pixiemom2]

Just wondering if you found out any information, we are on Symphony later this year and (like you) don't see any excursions that we are interested in (don't want to spend most the day on a bus).

[Piper77]

Have you looked into Cinque Terre? There will be lots of ship excursions there, but you can easily do on your own and on your terms. It was one of my fave days and one of the cheapest! For around 16 euros you can get a day pass for the trains and hop among the villages.

[moviefan2010]

The smart people on my cruise walked or took a cab to the train station and saw all five villages of Cinque Terre. I stupidly took a ship tour and paid way more the see only three of these incredible sea side cliff villages.

 

http://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-timetable

 

 

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[steamboats]

A little more "expensive" (around 30 Euro) is a day ticket for the ferry to Cinque Terre. But the ferry landing is only 5 min walking from the port building (you have to take the free shuttle from the ship to the port building).

 

The train station is farther away from the port building.

 

steamboats

[dogs4fun]

A little more "expensive" (around 30 Euro) is a day ticket for the ferry to Cinque Terre. But the ferry landing is only 5 min walking from the port building (you have to take the free shuttle from the ship to the port building).

 

The train station is farther away from the port building.

 

steamboats

Does the ferry stop at Corniglia? That was the only village at which there was no stop during the one and only time we utilized the public ferry.

[steamboats]

Does the ferry stop at Corniglia? That was the only village at which there was no stop during the one and only time we utilized the public ferry.

 

No, the ferry does not stop at Corniglia. The day ticket is now 35 Euro.

 

steamboats

[Pavovsky]

What are the pluses and minuses of the ferry v the train?

 

Also, how far is it to walk from the port building to the train station?

 

 

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[steamboats]

It´s about 15 to 20 min walking from the port building. Train is cheaper and faster. Ferry gets you the nicer view.

 

steamboats

[cruisemom42]

It's worth noting that both of these methods of transportation can get VERY crowded in the summer months, with the growing popularity of the Cinque Terre. I haven't been, but have read numerous reports of the trains being very full and even the towns themselves often having wall-to-wall people.

[Pavovsky]

Thanks. Our plan is to get off the ship as early as possible on May 29 (hopefully not too crowded). Will probably get trains as more flexible and probably hike between 2 of the villages.

 

 

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[Travelling2Some]

Just FYI, you can't reach Corniglia by boat because it is up on the cliff away from the water. You can hike there. I would take the train to start with and then hike or take the boat between the 5 villages. The boats can stop running depending on weather but the trains are reliable. Crowds these days depend on how many ships are in port on the day you visit. I have heard that they are becoming quite a problem. We stayed in Vernazza for a few days as part of a land vacation a few years back and planned so as to avoid being there on days when ships were in port. Quiet when we were there but even crowds couldn't have spoiled that scenery!