Sightseeing in Florence day 2, I am going to Cinque Terre! Saw some pictures while I’m booking for Pisa from Get Your Guide website, hmmm… this does looks like Amalfi Coast, it’s a M.U.S.T 😉
Tracy did mentioned the possibility to go to Cinque Terre by myself, normally that what I would do but since I have not really do my usual preparation, decided to just do it with the tour, one less concern.
The tour departs at 6:40 AM, meeting points 20 minutes before, walked from Tracy’s place needed 30 minutes. Calculate backwards you know what time I should get up right? As a comparison my first alarm for waking up to work is at 6:30 AM, doesn’t mean I really got up though. However, if it’s about travel, trust me, rain or shine, I’ll be there! #Dedicated. Little did I knew when I arrived at the train station to register myself, the ticket lady said my tour is the “Bus Transport” only, doesn’t include visit to all villages, if I want to upgrade I will have to pay 51 Euro. I asked if I can take the train by myself or there is really no other transportation way other than by car? Getting yes as an answer, Ok I’ll do the first, checked on trenitalia website, the cost of each train ticket is only 5 Euro. Perfectooo!
They dropped all of us at Levanto Train station, that’s where we separated, some people goes with the groups, I bought my Cinque Terre Card for 19,50 Euro. I’m all set! Adventure for one: starts!
Cinque Terre = Five Lands, consist of Monterosso al Mare; Vernazza; Corniglia (up in the hill, bus needed or walk up 1 km); Manarola; Riomaggiore.
According to Tracy’s the best is Monterosso al Mare. I made sure it was my first station, had she not tell me, it would me my last’s as it was the closest to Levanto where our meeting point is.
Not only beach, there is a kind of Fortress here, I’ll hike up!
Where the fortress? haha got distracted by a tunnel which lead me to “city center” area offering some places to eat + church. If I continue walking, wouldn’t reach the Fortress at any time soon so I had to go back.
Now I’m ready to slowly walk up 🙂 Mind you, my legs are still sore from yesterday full day walking haha I did have my doubt, nevertheless after put one step in front of the other, it’s kind of doable. I used some chance to sit every now and then.
On the way down, well… up too, I just didn’t pay attenzione, written a graffiti “just the 2 of us” but I’m only one hmmmm
My plan next is going to the further side (Riomaggiore) then back getting closer and closer to Levanto. If they don’t have mussels restaurant, I would say Riomaggiore is not my fav, sowohl small als auch only way up, there are stairs too that leads to have no idea, I saw it and immediately throw white towel haha.
Manarola on the other hand, is walking friendly, even though at some point you also reached the higher position in contrast to when you started, you don’t really feel the hike. I’m not sure if you can swim on the beach side, it could be only on Monterosso. I do not mind, I’d say Manarola is giving me the most Amalfi Coast vibe.
Follow the path, ended up in a slightly higher level, feel so happy aaaaaaa! It could be better than Amalfi Coast due to the fact Cinque Terre is in the north part of Italy. The Italy I always have in mind.
Einerseits I still want to stay a bit in Manarola, andererseits I’m also FOMO gotta see the last 2 Terre in less than 90 minutes. Move move moveeeee, next is Corniglia. To my disappointment, it was not as good as the others. Since it was raining + located on top of the hill, I will / had to wait for the bus with the hope I would still catch the train on time to Vernazza.
Ran to the Platform, yes! made it on time. I love Vernazza! It’s good to have this as the last stop, they actually have a castle. I didn’t even know where the castle located, for some reason didn’t see it. Sara from the tour went there she said its cost 2 Euro except she didn’t have time to see the church. I do the opposite way from her.
What I like about joining a tour, got one more amiga in south of Spain 🙂
When I visit my other Sara haha, I’ll see you too 🙂 until then… ¡Hasta luego!
Much needed dinner! Tracy brought me to her favorite pasta place ~ Alla Vecchia Bettola, we both took a scooter, it was a bit juggling because the road in Florence is not smooth, in the end I manage it! The foods are delicious! I like their pasta #no question ask, surprisingly the liver of the chicken too! We go full version with ice cream! #Wenn schon denn schon.
Tips: You can also do the same like me from Get Your Guide website choose “From Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip by Bus”, it cost 54 Euro while the full tour cost 99 Euro, if additional on the day then +51 Euro. The tour does include cruise by boat ~ if Zeus against it, no refund was given. I’m not sure how much if you go by train / bus by yourself maybe back and forth from Florence, perhaps it could cost cheaper than 54 Euro.
Once you arrived Levanto buy the Cinque Terre Card it cost 19,50 Euro and you can go to all 5 Terre, using the bus to Corniglia too. I agree with leaving Florence around 6:30-7:00 AM if you want to see all 5 Terre on one day then better arrive as early as possible. I only have no more than 1 hour on each Terre, it was enough whilst I also need to hurry. Imo, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza and Manarola are the best. The rest it’s totally OK to skip, you won’t miss much 🙂
If you can’t go to Amalfi Coast, go here, Tracy also had the same view, she commented: they both have same concept, colorful house and beaches, only the color in Amalfi is more nude. Just an alternative if you’re not mentally ready to face Southern part of Italy 😉