Your day will begin with a train journey through the beautiful Italian countryside from Florence to La Spezia, a small town next to the Cinque Terre where you’ll meet your guide. From here, you’ll travel by local train to the villages of the Cinque Terre. Part of the charm of Cinque Terre is the absence of cars running through the villages and the local train line provides a very convenient and eco-friendly means of getting around. Your first stop will be Vernazza, often considered the crowning jewel of the Cinque Terre. As you take in the harbor views and explore the church overlooking the Ligurian sea, your expert guide will introduce you to the history of Vernazza, which is believed to have been the first of the villages to be founded almost a thousand years ago.

Your next stop will be Monterosso, the largest of the villages. Here, you’ll learn about the local produce - the region is famous for its lemon trees and anchovies - and you may get to taste these specialties as you sit down for lunch (at your own expense). Depending on the weather and crowds, you may get the chance to hop on the local ferry (otherwise, local train) to reach your next stop, Manarola, and take in the magnificent view of the villages from the sea. After exploring Manarola, you’ll hop back on the local train to visit Riomaggiore, where you'll be charmed by the pastel-colored buildings perched atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. 

Finally, your guide will deliver you back to La Spezia for your return train journey to Florence. You’ll leave the Cinque Terre with an unshakeable appreciation for the beauty of these villages and a deeper understanding of the lives of those who inhabit them.

How will we get to Cinque Terre?
You will travel to Cinque Terre from Florence by train. We will purchase single tickets for you in advance. There is a direct train to La Spezia from Florence Campo di Marte that takes you through the beautiful Italian countryside. Please note that Florence has several train stations: the train to La Spezia departs from Firenze Campo di Marte, which is situated on the north-east side of town, separate from the central station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Make sure to plan your departure time accordingly to ensure you can comfortably reach the train. Unfortunately, traveling by train to La Spezia from Santa Maria Novella or other train stations is not an option, except for Firenze Campo di Marte.

How about our journey back to Florence?
We only purchase single tickets from Florence to La Spezia - you will be responsible for purchasing your return tickets back to Florence Campo di Marte. As the day is quite long and the weather can be quite hot, some clients wish to go home a little earlier than others and others prefer to stay longer to enjoy the Cinque Terre for a little longer after their tours. Purchasing your own return tickets gives you the flexibility to decide when you'd like to finish your day trip. Your guide will help you purchase your return tickets.

Can we order a private car service for the journey from Florence to Cinque Terre?
As the villages of Cinque Terre are largely not accessible by car, we are not offering a private car service for this tour. The train from Florence is an efficient and environmentally friendly way of reaching Cinque Terre.

How long is the train ride?
The train ride from Florence Campo di Marte to La Spezia is just under 2 hours long.
 
Can I upgrade to first-class tickets?
Yes - please let us know and we'll get in touch with pricing information.

Where will we meet the guide?
Your guide will meet you in La Spezia, from where you will travel together on the local train to the Cinque Terre.

Will we be hiking on this tour? Is it walking intensive?
This tour doesn’t include a hike due to time constraints. The day will involve a lot of walking around the villages, though, and in Riomaggiore and Vernazza, the paths can be very steep, involving lots of steps. There will be opportunities to sit down at certain points during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
Unfortunately we do not recommend this tour for people who use a wheelchair or anyone with significant mobility issues. The terrain in Cinque Terre is very hilly, with many stairs to get around each village. Currently the local train isn’t wheelchair accessible and there is no access for cars to the villages, making it difficult for wheelchair users to get around.