Train to Cinque Terre

06/01/2009 - 05:18

We have friends visiting this week who want to go to Cinque Terre. We thought taking the train from Aulla via La Spezia to Cinque Terre would be the most expeditious. Any suggestions, tips, etc.Thanks,Fred

Topic

Travel

Location

Massa-Carrara Province

Tuscany

Comment

There is a through train [mon - fri] from Aulla to Rapallo - leaves 09.20 - arrives 11.00 The only through train back leaves at 20.00 [arriving at Aulla at 21.25 [Both trains stop at other points along the CT] For all other options look at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en its the best site for train times This give plenty of time for 'sightseeing' and walking. For walking suggestions - look at sites such as the ATG and Inntravel websites for their Cinque Terre walking holidays - these will give you an idea of what you could do in a day. The walk along the coast is easier than the 'higher routes', but is full of Americans doing the '5 cities' - [ they don't know where they are - but they just know they've got to do the '5 cities']. Front page of the Forum site today - http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy-featured/liguria/famous-five-0 .

This site is useful: http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/news_parco_primo_piano.asp?id_lingue=2&pag=1It has maps of the paths, and information on the Cinque Terre Card you have to buy to walk the main coastal path - a good income-generator for the National Park.If you are going to splash out and buy one of the cards that give you unlimited train travel between la Spezia and Levanto, and (for extra) boat travel, then you could get one of the more frequent direct trains from Aulla to la Spezia http://trenitalia.it/homepage_en.html (currently works only for trains up to June 13) and buy your card at the Park Information Office on the station there before catching the next train.

We always drive to La Spezia and catch the train from there and we always purchase the Cinque Terre card. Generally, we go first from La Spezia to Monterosso, walk around the place, go back to the station and catch the next train to Vernazza, go for another walk, then back to the station and the next train to Corniglia, same thing and go to Manarola, have lunch there ("pesce della barca", a beautiful dish of fresh fried fish is strongly recommended, together with the local white wine) and then walk along the "Via dell'Amore" all the way to Riomaggiore, from where you will catch your train back to La Spezia. There are trains every 20 minutes approximately. Fabulous! Then, you can drive from La Spezia and visit Lerici and Porto Venere. A great day. Enjoy!

You can pick up the boat to the Cinque Terre at Lerici, La Spezia or Portovenere. A gentle cruise down the coast and the HUGE advantage of seeing the lovely villages from the sea. When the boat stops (at all but Corniglia) you can either get off (and catch a later one) or stay on to the next village. Our favourite is Vernazza - but they're all great. The food at the restaurant behind the black and white striped church in Monterosso has never disappointed. Lucky you - wish I was coming with you.

Vernazza is also our favourite, although they are all so beautiful.In Monterosso there is also an "Enoteca" where you can taste the local whites, which are very special.

Many thanks to all for your tips, etc. Will let you know how it all works out.Fred

Tried the La Spezia train route initially, however, there is a lot of construction around the station rendering the finding of a parking place virtually impossible. Drove to Manarola and started there which worked out quite well. Thanks again for all the suggestions.Fred

The panoramic route which is a road high above the cinque terre coast has stunning views the whole way and even in August seems to have very little traffic. Above Riomaggiore, on this road, there is a superb little cafe with a circular terrace hanging over the sea We have never had any problems parking at Monterosso and from there you can get the boat to any or all of the villages + Portovenere. The problem with the train is that it goes mostly under tunnels and you dont see anything while travelling. Yesterday we were in Monterosso and there was a huge firework display over the sea (one of two during the year apparently) . Then 45mins on extremely quiet roads back to our house. Cant believe we're now back in England until September.Ps The next exit from the motorway after La Spezia, northbound, is Brugnato, which is absolutely worth visiting as it's old centre is beautiful and hardly anyone from the Lunigiana area has heard of it.

Thanks, Alma, you always learn something new. We always thought that the road will be too crowded, particularly during the high season. We will try to go this way in September.

When are you going in September Gala? Do you just go for the day or stay a few days? We will be at our house from 16th September. The Panoramic route is one of the quietest coastal roads I've ever been on. Often we hardly see another car. Everyone takes the train or boat from one end or the other. As a drive it's superb but not an ideal way to visit all the villages in one day as you have to wind down a long way to each one. We often choose just one village to visit or just go to the cafe or a restaurant looking out to sea which is in a hotel on the Spezia side of Riomaggiore. It's so peaceful there high above the coast and the parking is free which is always a bonus. Definitely worth driving along if you've never done it.

I haven't got a clue about dates at this stage, Alma. But we will certainly be there in September and throughout the month as we have been unable to go to our Bagni di Lucca house since last December because of family commitments. We generally go there for day trips, as we have our little dog with us, but we used to catch the train in La Spezia. I think that this time we are going to try the road as it has been suggested. I will ask more questions closer to the dates. But thank you very much for the tips.