Schedules

Cinque Terre guided tours & excursions: June 2019

/ Amy Inman / Leave a comment

The June calendar for the Cinque Terre Walking Park has been released! See below for all the details:

As you look at the schedule, be sure to keep in mind the color coding for each date:

YELLOW = trekking (hiking) tour, appropriate footwear is required (either hiking shoes/boots or athletic trainers with decent tread)

GREEN = trekking tour (so the same footwear as mentioned above) along the famous coastal trail, all participants are required to have the Cinque Terre Card

BLUE = walking tour of one of the villages (comfortable walking shoes are recommended)

PINK = E-bike tour

Not sure what an e-bike is?  It’s a bicycle with an integrated electric motor which can be used for “pedal assist” (which makes climbing those steep Cinque Terre hills a breeze!).  These tours require a minimum age of 14 years and they are very limited in size (max. 8 participants).  Each participant will be provided with a helmet and a bottle of water.  And of course, proper footwear and attire are required.

If you’d like to join, here are all the important details:

COST: €6.50 per person or FREE if you’ve purchased the Cinque Terre Card for the day (which is €16 per person and includes unlimited Cinque Terre trains and buses + the hiking pass, read more about it here).

*If it’s a date with an asterisk in the description (which means there’s the possibility for an optional wine tasting), you’ll need to enquire about the extra cost as it varies depending on the winemaker.

HOW TO RESERVE: Advance bookings are a must as there are a limited number of spots available. If you’d like to reserve, the easiest way is to email: visiteguidate@ati5terre.it Otherwise, you can ring +39 0187 743 500 (just don’t forget that you’ll need to call during business hours here in Italy).

If you book one of the dates for a trek and/or wine tasting you just might be lucky enough to have local riomaggiorese Chiara Gasparini as your guide. Not only does Chiara have a deep-rooted love for her territory and she’s also passionate about its wine (she’s a certified sommelier).

Enjoy!

Amy

P.S. You can “like” and follow Cinque Terre Walking Park on Facebook (Chiara posts daily pics and updates there).

Monterosso’s Lemon Festival will be held June 1st

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Because of an extraordinarily wet and chilly May, Monterosso’s Festa del Limone was postponed and has been rescheduled for June 1, 2019.

The Lemon Festival in Monterosso is a well-loved festival in the Cinque Terre. Shops create lemon-themed storefronts (they are vying for the title of the most beautiful window display) and locals bake their best lemon cakes for a culinary competition. The streets fill with spontaneous music and an open air market. If you’ll be in Monterosso this Saturday, you’re in luck! 🍋

See below for all the details for the day:

Enjoy!

Amy

Cinque Terre guided tours & excursions: May 2019

/ Amy Inman / Leave a comment

If you’re planning to be in the Cinque Terre this May, be sure to check out the guided tours & excursions offered by the Cinque Terre National Park.

As you look at the schedule, be sure to keep in mind the color coding for each date:

YELLOW = trekking (hiking) tour, appropriate footwear is required (either hiking boots or shoes or athletic trainers with decent tread)

GREEN = trekking tour (so the same footwear as mentioned above) along the famous coastal trail, all participants are required to have the Cinque Terre Card

BLUE = walking tour of one of the villages (comfortable walking shoes are recommended)

* = If you see an asterisk, there’s the possibility to add on an optional wine tasting (for a nominal fee), which I highly recommend!

If you’d like to join, here are all the important details:

COST: €6.50 per person or FREE if you’ve purchased the Cinque Terre Card for the day (which is €16 per person and includes unlimited Cinque Terre trains and buses + the hiking pass, read more about it here).

*If it’s a date with an asterisk in the description (which means there’s the possibility for an optional wine tasting), you’ll need to enquire about the extra cost as it varies depending on the winemaker.

HOW TO RESERVE: Advance bookings are a must as there are a limited number of spots available. If you’d like to reserve, the easiest way is to email: visiteguidate@ati5terre.it Otherwise, you can ring +39 0187 743 500 (just don’t forget that you’ll need to call during business hours here in Italy).

If you book one of the dates for a trek and/or wine tasting you just might be lucky enough to have local riomaggiorese Chiara Gasparini as your guide. Not only does Chiara have a deep-rooted love for her territory but she’s also passionate about its wine (she’s a certified sommelier).

Enjoy!

Amy

P.S. You can “like” and follow Cinque Terre Walking Park on Facebook (Chiara posts daily pics and updates there).

2019 Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Levanto, and La Spezia ferry schedule: April 20 to October 13, 2019

/ Amy Inman / 6 Comments

The peak-season schedule for the Cinque Terre ferries (including ferries to La Spezia, Portovenere and Levanto) has been released and will be in effect from April 20th to October 13th, 2019.

Ferry times written in white are confirmed 7 days a week (sea conditions permitting, of course). For times that are written in red on the schedule it’s important to read the key (located at the very bottom).  If there’s a red asterisk (star) it means the times written in red will take place from June 3rd to September 15th.  If instead there’s a red circle near the times written in red that means the stop will take place from April 20th through September 29th.

Would you like to know the rates for the ferries?  Check out my previous post on the subject (where I explain in detail how to decipher the price list) here.

What about the ferry times to and from Lerici?  The schedule which is valid from April 20th through September 29th can be found here.

Enjoy!

Amy

Cinque Terre guided hike: Easter edition

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This month there’s just one guided hike on the calendar for the national park’s Cinque Terre Walking Park:

If you’re planning to be in the Cinque Terre on April 20th this is a great opportunity to visit a vineyard and meet with local winemaker, Heydi Bonanini.

Starting in May things will pick up with Cinque Terre Walking Park and there will be a full calendar of guided hikes and excursions.

Don’t forget that you’ll need to wear proper footwear for hiking in the Cinque Terre (athletic trainers are okay so long as they have decent tread).

The guided hike to Azienda Agricola Possa is free for those who have the Cinque Terre Card (or €6.50 per person for those without). If you’d like to add on the optional wine tasting there’s a nominal fee.

If you’d like to book your spot, email: visiteguidate@ati5terre.it or call +39 0187 743 500. Heads up: Reservations are mandatory as spots are limited.

2019 Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Levanto, La Spezia and Lerici ferry schedules

/ Amy Inman / 13 Comments

On March 30th the Consorzio Marittimo Turistico 5Terre Golfo dei Poeti will kick off the 2019 touristic season with the first ferry schedules of the year. These schedules will be valid from March 30th to April 19th, 2019. Starting on April 20th these schedules will be replaced with others offering even more options (as soon as they are released I will post them here on the blog).

The following ferry schedule is for the Cinque Terre and includes Portovenere and Levanto:

If you’re staying in Lerici and wanting to reach the Cinque Terre (of if you’re staying in the Cinque Terre and you’d like to visit Lerici), this schedule is for you:

For those wanting to catch the ferry from La Spezia to the Cinque Terre:

Ticket prices vary depending on where you plan to catch the ferry and what you’d like to do. Below you will find the 2019 fares (although the price list doesn’t specify it, the rates are in local currency which is €). Unfortunately the price lists are currently only in Italian so be sure to check out my key (and answers to FAQs) at the bottom of this post.

Ferry prices within the Cinque Terre

Ferry prices to/from Levanto

Ferry prices to/from Portovenere

Ferry prices to/from La Spezia

Ferry prices to/from Lerici

KEY:

  • A: abbreviation for andata, which means “to” (in this case it also implies a one-way ticket)
  • A/R: abbreviation for andata e ritorno, a round-trip ticket
  • Giornaliero: unlimited day pass
  • Pomeridiano: unlimited afternoon pass
  • Andata con soste: a one-way, unidirectional ticket with the possibility to hop off and on the ferry (the number of stops permitted is specified)
  • o: or
  • e: and
  • Residenti: a special tariff reserved for residents
  • Bambini 6-11 anni: child fare (ages 6-11 years)
  • Adulti: adult fare (which also applies to children 12 years and older)
  • Giro isole: Ferry tour around Portovenere’s islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
  • Giro golfo: Ferry tour of the Gulf of La Spezia (also known as the Gulf of Poets)

FAQs

Q. What’s the rate for children 5 and under?

A. Kids 5 years of age and younger ride for free, so long as they are accompanied by a paying adult.

Q. Do the ferries always run?

A. The ferries run contingent on sea and weather conditions. If the seas are rough the ferries are cancelled.

Q. Can I buy ferry tickets online?

A. No, ferry tickets cannot be purchased online. You can purchase tickets in person at the ticket counters (strategically located near the docking points). Heads up: Payment is oftentimes only accepted in cash.

Q. Is it worth it?

A. Absolutely! Seeing the Cinque Terre by water is beautiful and offers a glimpse of our area from a different perspective. If you’re traveling solo or with just another person or two, the ferries are usually the most cost effective option. If you’re wanting to have a more personalized experience (including stops for swim breaks, if you so choose) you can book either a shared or private boat tour with one of the local boat companies. In Riomaggiore I recommend Cinque Terre Boat Tour and Cinque Terre dal Mare. Let them know that Cinque Terre Insider sent you!

Q. Are the ferries handicap-accessible?

A. Unfortunately, they are not. If a disabled person is steady on their feet, some stops are easier to board than others (like La Spezia and Portovenere, where passengers typically board from the side of the ferry). All five of the Cinque Terre villages, however, require passengers to embark and disembark via a gangplank (which is less than ideal for those with walking or balance impairments).

Do you have a question regarding the ferries that I didn’t answer here? Let me know about it in the comments section below!

Enjoy the Cinque Terre by sea!

Amy

Cinque Terre guided hikes: March 2019

/ Amy Inman / Leave a comment

Spring has nearly sprung and those in the know in the Cinque Terre are gearing up to get their trek on. If you’re planning to be in our area this month, be sure to check out the following schedule:

What you need to know:

  • The guided hikes in March are free if you have the Cinque Terre Card or €6.50 if you don’t.
  • You’ll need to wear proper footwear like trainers with decent tread or trekking boots or shoes.
  • Keep in mind that the hikes will be cancelled if the weather isn’t cooperative.
  • Advance reservations are required so you’ll need to either email visiteguidate@ati5terre.it or ring +39 0187 743 500.

Enjoy!

Amy

Photography workshop in the Cinque Terre

/ Amy Inman / Leave a comment

Calling all photographers, amatorial and professional

If you’re planning to be in the Cinque Terre this summer I recommend coordinating your travel plans so that you can join one of these 2-day black & white photography workshops in the Cinque Terre.

PHOTO WORKSHOP

There are five 2-day workshops, one for each of the five villages of the Cinque Terre:

  • Riomaggiore: June 30 & July 1
  • Manarola: July 7 & 8
  • Corniglia: July 28 & 29
  • Vernazza: August 25 & 26
  • Monterosso: September 8 &9

The workshops are intimate with max. 7 participants per date and pleasantly informal (the invite recommends bringing a bathing suit and beach towel).

On the first day, participants will discover the hidden corners of the hosting village and then they will make their way on foot to the next village (all the while discovering beautiful yet obscure angles of the Cinque Terre).

On day two, workshop participants will head to a studio in La Spezia where they will select and edit the previous day’s shots.  The culmination of the workshop will be the creation of a photographic book.

The 5×5 workshop is in collaboration with professional photographers Jacopo Benassi, Moreno Carbone and Andrea Luporini as well as photo editor Stefania Molteni.

The cost of each workshop is €200 per person.  For more details and specifics, email: andrealupos@libero.it

Local and national holidays in Italy

/ Amy Inman / 5 Comments

Carnevale 2015

Carnevale in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

So, you’re heading to Italy.  Maybe you want to relish in our country’s holidays.  Or, maybe you want to avoid them (and the crowds they can bring).  Here’s a listing of both local and national holidays to help you out.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

  • January 1st:  New Year’s Day
  • January 6th: Epiphany                                                                                                                         
  • Carnevale: Not an official public holiday, but festivities are celebrated throughout Italy six weeks prior to Easter Sunday
  • Easter Sunday and Easter Monday: Dates change each year based on the religious calendar
  • April 25th: Liberation Day
  • May 1st: Labor Day
  • June 2nd: Anniversary of the Republic
  • August 15th: Ferragosto (Assumption of Mary)
  • November 1st: All Saints’ Day
  • December 8th: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
  • December 25th:  Christmas Day
  • December 26th:  Santo Stefano (commonly known as the 2nd day of Christmas)

LOCAL HOLIDAYS

Each city or village in Italy has its own patron saint and will have special festivities on their saint’s day.  The Cinque Terre villages are no exception with suggestive religious processions along the narrow streets, some ending with fireworks over the water (like for San Lorenzo in Manarola).  See below for each village’s patron saint and their day of celebration.

Riomaggiore:  San Giovanni Battista (St. John the Baptist), June 24th

Manarola:  San Lorenzo (St. Laurence), August 10th

Corniglia: San Pietro (St. Peter), June 29th

Vernazza: Santa Margherita di Antiochia (St. Margaret of Antioch), July 20th

Monterosso: San Giovanni Battista (St. John the Baptist), June 24th

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Just outside of the Cinque Terre but most definitely worth a visit for their patron saint festivities:

Portovenere:  Madonna Bianca (Miracle of the White Madonna), August 17th

Levanto: San Giacomo (St. James), July 25th