Travel review: Cinque Terre you say? Excellent!

In September 2016 we hopped on a flight from Stansted, UK to Pisa, Italy. Up to three weeks prior, we were planning and waiting with anticipation for our trip to Greece and Turkey. This leg of our journey – from London, sandwiched between time in Greece – was intended for a week adventure in Turkey. Our plan changed because of the military coup in Turkey and the four of us headed to Cinque Terre instead. Last minute travel planning isn’t difficult if you have a system! Check out ‘What to know before you go on a trip anywhere!‘. Our Travel review: Cinque Terre shows this was a great decision!

Following the RyanAir flight we rushed outside the terminal to take the ‘PisaMover’ shuttle to the train station. We caught our train from Pisa Centrale (only a couple minutes to spare!) to Manarola. As such, we arrived just in time for a late dinner at a local restaurant!

The very warm, muggy weather was wonderful for a late evening in the dark wandering the streets, taking a dip in the ocean, and enjoying the lively village atmosphere.

Recommendations

Eat:

This Travel review: Cinque Terre is not exhaustive on where to eat – every place we tried was very good!

Manarola: Il Porticciolo was visited twice during our stay. We enjoyed their family atmosphere, and great seafood and pasta! Aristide Cafe made excellent espressos and cappuccinos, and were open promptly everyday at 8am – to people already waiting. La Cantina Bramante served up tasty snacks with drinks in their cool setting. Cantina Burasca dished up local produce (amazing salad!) with baguettes and their own wine, grown on the slopes above.

Riomaggiore: Rio Bistrot served up some excellent prosecco and salads to combat the heat, under a lovely portico and a tempting breeze up from the beach at the harbour.

Monterosso: Bar Gio – a great place on the Belvedere to relax and have a drink.

Accommodation:

An amazing view! Due to the last minute change in plans, we had little choice, but were able to find a great view. From the train station in Manarola, up Via Belvedere to the upper village, we had a 2 level, 2 bedroom, 1 bath rental overlooking the ocean. Check out Cinque Terre Riviera for more information on accommodation – they were easy to work with and available in town in Manarola.

Activities:

A dip in the ocean is always available! Walking between the towns is really a mandatory so you can take the far easier way with the regional train that connects all the towns. The towns were crowded so we tried to put ourselves on different hours to not be part of the rush. Because Vernazza, Monterosso and Riomaggiore were incredibly busy midday we suggest early and later is much better for a visit. We had a fantastic boating excursion one day from Monterosso down the coast to Riomaggiore and back – excellent food and swimming! All the villages had a lot to offer for wandering – along with amazing perches to have picnics and take some great photos.

A beautiful experience!

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