If you are planning a holiday in Italy, it can be difficult to decide how to spend your time. The historically significant big cities of Milan, Florence, Rome and Venice typically appear on all itineraries, even if only for their status as transportation hubs. However, there is much beauty to be found in the countryside and on the coastlines of the Italian peninsula. Guided tours and transfers in Tuscany open up the possibilities for exploring charming sites like Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre is situated on the Ligurian coast of northern Italy, a rugged and beautiful stretch of the Mediterranean also known as the Italian Riviera. Cinque terre means “five lands”, referring to five villages: Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore and Vernazza. The villages and hills that surround them together are part of Cinque Terre National Park, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
The distance from Florence to Cinque Terre is approximately 160 scenic kilometers. You may travel there by car or train in less than two hours, but once you arrive you will notice that the best ways to get from one of the five villages to the others is to either walk along the paths that provide incredible views of the sea from above, to ride one of the trains (a good option if physical mobility is an issue), or to take a ferry. Ferry boats stop at all villages except Corniglia, which does not have any coastline due to its location perched high above the brilliant blue sea. From the other villages, the view from the sea looking up at the colorful terraced towns in a perspective not to be missed.
Each of the villages that comprise Cinque Terre offers something different. Corniglia is quieter, and not all tourists stop there. Riomaggiore provides the next least-touristy option, without the feeling like you are visiting a large resort but instead you can feel like a resident of the town. The pastel-hued fishing village of Manarola is one of the most photographed places in Cinque Terre. From Manarola, you may opt to take the ferry to Vernazza, considered by many to be the most scenic of the five villages. Ferries and footpaths connect Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five Cinque Terre towns.
Tuscany guided tours can take the guesswork out of how best to take in so much beauty with limited time. Many tours include the fees which cover coach transportation from big cities like Florence, boat and train travel between the towns, park admission and perhaps even lunch or dinner, which is bound to feature fresh seafood and local wines.
For private day trips Tuscany tours can be arranged in advance or on the spot once you arrive in Italy. There are numerous options to accommodate every level of fitness or individual interests like Mediterranean cuisine, wine tasting or photographing the spectacular views that dominate Cinque Terre.