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Post by imkat on Mar 22, 2023 13:23:24 GMT
Has anyone been to Cinque Terre? If yes, which town do you recommend? We will have a car, so I'm not sure how to handle that. I appreciate any advice on where to stay and logistical considerations.
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Post by mncmom on Mar 22, 2023 14:16:12 GMT
Yes! We were there in October, 2019. We stayed in Vernazza. No cars are allowed in Cinque Terre, and you can't drive up. We left our car at the station in La Spezia and took the train up. We then took the train while we were there and visited all 5 villages. They're all absolutely beautiful, unique and so charming. It's one of my favorite places in the world. You can also hike to all 5 villages. You'll love it!
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Post by mommy2sandb on Mar 22, 2023 14:28:11 GMT
We stayed there about 5 years ago and it’s still at the very top of my list of favorites. Seriously one of the most magical places I’ve ever been.
We stayed in an Airbnb in Riomaggiore and also had a rental car that we parked at the top of the town. They had a little parking lot available, but I can’t remember whether we had to pay for it or not. It meant we had quite the trek through the cobblestone streets with our luggage when we arrived and then when we left, but it was totally worth it!
We were there at the very end of March into April so it was a bit before busy season and at night it was quiet and the shops and stores closed pretty early.
We thought about hiking between towns, but I had broken my hip not too long before that and instead took the train. We enjoyed each town and could not believe each gorgeous town! This was on my bucket list and did not disappoint!!!
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Post by mommy2sandb on Mar 22, 2023 15:16:00 GMT
Yes! We were there in October, 2019. We stayed in Vernazza. No cars are allowed in Cinque Terre, and you can't drive up. We left our car at the station in La Spezia and took the train up. We then took the train while we were there and visited all 5 villages. They're all absolutely beautiful, unique and so charming. It's one of my favorite places in the world. You can also hike to all 5 villages. You'll love it! Thinking about it a little more, I’m pretty sure the parking spot was a part of our Airbnb and the drive to the little town was a wild ride through tiny winding roads!
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,291
Location: Michigan
Jul 13, 2014 12:40:31 GMT
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Post by iluvpink on Mar 22, 2023 15:43:32 GMT
Following. We will be in Italy in a month and are staying in Tuscany (Lucca) and considering heading to Cinque Terre for a day.
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sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,055
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
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Post by sueg on Mar 22, 2023 15:51:03 GMT
Following. We will be in Italy in a month and are staying in Tuscany (Lucca) and considering heading to Cinque Terre for a day. There are a lot of day tours available from Lucca and Pisa. We did one a few years back. We were picked up by bus, driven to the southern end of the Cinque Terra, where we boarded a ferry that ran up and down the coast and visited all the villages.
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Post by Lexica on Mar 22, 2023 16:00:55 GMT
I have now added this to my bucket list. I googled to see what it looked like and came across this article: www.travelawaits.com/2485474/fast-facts-about-cinque-terre-italy/Which gives a few tips on staying there and getting around. Just the photos alone sold me, but reading the article solidified my need to go there. It is just a brief overview of the area with a few tips thrown in, but it got my wanderlust activitated.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Mar 22, 2023 16:10:06 GMT
Following. We will be in Italy in a month and are staying in Tuscany (Lucca) and considering heading to Cinque Terre for a day. We did this and it was wonderful! I wish we would have had more time, but it's easily doable in a day. We hiked the first town or two and hopped on the train. Our kids were too little for the full 5 villages.
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Post by hopechest on Mar 22, 2023 16:19:40 GMT
OHHHHH!!! It was my favorite part of Italy.
I stayed in Montorosso in an Air BNB up at the top of the "hill". We did hike from Montrosso to Vernazza and while the hike was incredible, it was not an easy one. I'm fairly fluffy and not a seasoned hiker, so there's that disclaimer. I don't regret the decision however. When I say it was amazing it truly was.
The markets and shops are fantastic, but it is not a "metro" vibe. Very laid back and little to no nighlife, clubs, bars etc.
The ferry is a great option to go between towns. It runs like a shuttle of sorts.
If you are an adventurous seafood eater, go to Belvederes in Montorosso for dinner. It's down by the water. There is a house special seafood stew that was just amazing. They cook it in a big clay vase looking thing and pour it out at your table into a big bowl. Basically it's a big catch of the day. In ours we had large shrimp (with heads and tails) fish, mussels and a whole octopus about 12 inches long. It was the most delicious thing I've ever eaten. We had it with grilled bread, pesto and wine. It was a simple, rustic and amazing meal. I rave about it years later.
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Post by belgravia on Mar 22, 2023 16:58:06 GMT
The Cinque Terre is one of the most magical places I’ve visited. We were there about 13? years ago. We stayed in Monterosso and took the ferry between villages. It was summer and very hot. My husband did the entire hike, but as a family we only did one small hike between villages (I don’t remember which ones but it was short and easy) because our daughter was with us and she was about 7 at the time. I remember the beaches being rocky but totally swimmable. It’s glorious! I’d love to go back.
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Post by tallgirl on Mar 22, 2023 17:39:09 GMT
Yes! We were there for 4 days last summer - it's just breathtaking. We also stayed in Vernazza. I think it's the most picturesque of the towns (and it's the one that the Pixar film 'Luca' was based on - you need to watch the film after you visit - the similarities are uncanny.) But they're all beautiful in their own way, and each one has its pros and cons. Here's some information about the region. www.yourintrepidfamily.com/europe/italy-europe/how-to-visit-cinque-terre-with-kids/
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Post by mncmom on Mar 22, 2023 19:08:32 GMT
Oh and make sure and try the Basil gelato! Surprisingly good.
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Post by hopechest on Mar 22, 2023 20:16:01 GMT
Yes! We were there for 4 days last summer - it's just breathtaking. We also stayed in Vernazza. I think it's the most picturesque of the towns (and it's the one that the Pixar film 'Luca' was based on - you need to watch the film after you visit - the similarities are uncanny.) But they're all beautiful in their own way, and each one has its pros and cons. Here's some information about the region. www.yourintrepidfamily.com/europe/italy-europe/how-to-visit-cinque-terre-with-kids/You are spot on! My DH and I said the same thing as we were watching Luca.
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paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Mar 22, 2023 20:51:26 GMT
Yes! We stayed in Vernazza and loved it. We rented an apartment with a sea view from an old woman who grabbed my suitcase and climbed the steps easier than I could. We did the hike between the towns. It was not difficult and on a path, but if you have seasonal allergies take extra meds because there was so much foliage. It was beautiful. I think pesto came from cinque terra. Enjoy!
Oh - we took the train.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,637
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Mar 22, 2023 20:52:38 GMT
Following. We will be in Italy in a month and are staying in Tuscany (Lucca) and considering heading to Cinque Terre for a day. There are a lot of day tours available from Lucca and Pisa. We did one a few years back. We were picked up by bus, driven to the southern end of the Cinque Terra, where we boarded a ferry that ran up and down the coast and visited all the villages. We did this as well, departing from La Spezia. The views of the Cinque Terre are best from the water! Unfortunately the weather sometimes doesn’t allow this but it’s a great way to visit each town. We took the train back.
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