Cinque terre private tours? Bellaitalia tour company?

[NaplesBeachgal]

Hello

looking for great semi private tour of cinque terre. Saw bella italia had nice one anyone use them?

[Mals1]

Hi!

I'm looking into Bellaitalia tours. Did you end up using them? I'm trying to fit in Pisa for the kids and Cinque Terre for myself and this company is so far the only one to combine the two from our La Spezia port. 

[Langoustine]

Having been there several times over the last 35 years, I would say that you don't really need a tour of the Cinque Terre. Buy a guidebook and be prepared for the crowds. I found Pisa to be a bore, Lucca nearby much more interesting.

[baderry]

We used drive around Italy dot com (Mary) for a Cinque Terre tour several years ago.  It was awesome!!  Used Cruise Critic to create a group of eight (8) and visited Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso with alternating transportation between each including hike, boat and train.  Cinque Terre villages are beautiful!!!. 

[milolii]

We used Papillon  services dot com.

 

Here  is a link my cruise review several years ago. Scroll down until you see Cinque Terra and Pisa portion.  Looks like this company has grown some since we used them.  

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=227483

[Mals1]

Thanks for your replies!

[b_cruise]

I used joe banana limos and they were great.  In fact I did it twice.  The first time the guide took us to the first town and bought us ferry tickets which we took between towns.  The second time he gave us a choice of the train or ferry and we thought we would try the train since we already did the ferry.  Take the ferry lol!!  The views are fabulous!! The train is pretty packed. That is if u are going when it is warmer?

 

 But yes, Joe Banana Limos are excellent ( and recommended lots on cruise critic which is how I found them). 

[slidergirl]

19 hours ago, b_cruise said:

I used joe banana limos and they were great.  In fact I did it twice.  The first time the guide took us to the first town and bought us ferry tickets which we took between towns.  The second time he gave us a choice of the train or ferry and we thought we would try the train since we already did the ferry.  Take the ferry lol!!  The views are fabulous!! The train is pretty packed. That is if u are going when it is warmer?

 

 But yes, Joe Banana Limos are excellent ( and recommended lots on cruise critic which is how I found them). 

 

Careful.  Did you have a driver and a guide or just a driver?  Did the person go with you on the ferries and trains, or just drop you off and pick you up? If just one person, it is NOT a tour.  We need to know if the OP wants just someone to drive them to Pisa and CT, or if they also require a person to escort them through Pisa and CT, telling them what they are seeing...  Remember - in Italy, it is two different people...

[Mals1]

I think a driver with a bit of knowledge for us will be fine. I have bought lots of guide books for our trip.  I did check with Bella Italia tours and for a guide and driver, it was a little out of my range with everything else we have booked. They did not offer me just a driver. I have checked with Papillon and Umberto's Cinque Terre Tours, and these seem to be a little more reasonable. These companies are providing drivers and guides are extra. I have called Joe Banana but haven't heard back from them yet. 

 

My kids really want to climb the tower and I would like to see at least 2 of the villages. Since I have to miss the Amalfi Coast earlier in our trip (it was too long of a day for the kids to fit with Pompeii so we are only seeing Sorrento with it), I am trying to fit in some of the CT for me. 

 

Thank you all for your help and replies. This is our first cruise and trip to Europe and planning has been a little overwhelming at times. I appreciate all recommendations!

[Lewisinde]

We had a one day port stop in La Spezia in October and decided not to go to Florence because of the long 2 hour drive each way. Once you get there, there are are long lines unless tickets are purchased online ahead of time. If you go to Pisa, there is a walk from the train station. If you go to Pisa, climbing the tower is really the treat. You will most likely need to buy the entrance online ahead of time so timing is important and hard to get perfect so plan on waiting. We decided insteadto spend the day at Cinque Terra. Warning...this place is not for those that have difficulty walking stairs or inclines!!! Taking a guided tour of Cinque Terra is really not necessary. The guide will just take you by train, something you can easily do by yourself. The towns are small and it’s hard to get lost. It’s easy to do Cinque Terre on your own from La Spezia if you are able to walk a lot. We left the ship fairly early in the morning to avoid the crowds at the first town. We bought our 16€ CT one day train cards inside the building tht we exited at the port. There was a lady at a counter selling them. We then walked to the street and caught a 15 min. taxi to the Centrale train station and then the CT train to visit Manarola first (2nd stop). Don’t forget to stamp your card right before getting on the train for the first time. There are signs telling you to beware of pickpockets. We didn’t see any but it can happen on a busy summer afternoon so watch those wallets and purses. The trains go both ways frequently but can be busy in the summer, especially as you approach afternoon time. Your train cards will have a code for free WiFi at the stations. I still remember needing coins for the bathroom attendants. We went to Manarola first since it has the most beautiful view from the harbor (colored houses) and we wanted to beat the crowds. After walking around Manarola, we took the train back to Riomaggiore for a visit and then onward to Corniglia. Corniglia does not have a harbor and is situated on a hill, so from the station at Corniglia, we walked up 385 steps (not steep) to the town. Corniglia is not as scenic as the first two towns but it’s the start of a beautiful hike. After a wonderful lunch and gelato stop in Corniglia, we hiked the coastal path for 1.75 miles (90 minutes) from Corniglia to Vernazza. It’s a beautiful walk but bring plenty of water as it can get hot in the summer. There is a restaurant/bar half-way in between to buy refreshments. This hike provides beautiful views of the sea, walks among the olive trees, and a great aerial view of Vernazza as you approach it on the hike. The path was mostly level but there were some inclines and stairs to go up and down. After visiting Vernazza we took the CT train back to La Spezia station and then a taxi back to the port early enough for dinner. 

[Mals1]

Thank you for your beautiful pictures. I am really excited to see it. We are skipping Florence also due to the drive. If I really wanted to torture my kids (and other passengers), sticking them on a bus for 4 hours is the way to do it!  😉 I have signed up for a driver to take us to Pisa first and then to CT.  We will only see a couple of the towns, but that's ok. I know we will all be tired from climbing the tower and the inclines/stairs of CT.

[mapleleaves]

Before your trip sure to check the web site to see which trails are open:

http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Esentieri-outdoor.php

 

We took the train from Milan to Monterosso and spent a few days in Cinque Terre.   One day we took the boat down to Riomaggiore ,walked the trail to Manorola and Corniglia, then caught the train back to Monterosso.  I thought the views from the water were the most stunning.