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Jo: Cinque Terre is the perfect place for you to head to the store, grab some local cheeses/meats/produce, head to the beach and have a picnic. I love sightseeing but this was one of my favourite memories there. We also did a cooking class in Monterosso at the Cinque Terre Cooking School. We made fresh pesto, gnocchi, Italian sweet bread, grilled fish and a salad!
Our Travel Insiders:
Jo: 47 years old, travelled through Italy for 3 months, stopping in Cinque Terre for two weeks with her 3 girlfriends.
Henrietta: 38 years old, stayed in Cinque Terre for 4 weeks with her partner.
Molly: 60 years old, stayed in Cinque Terre for 2 months solo.
WHAT TO DO
Henrietta: We did a seaside cooking class in Riomaggiore and made authentic Taglietelle and Tiramisu. After you finish, the class is concluded with lunch on the terrace. Highly recommend!
Molly: Cinque Terre is a great (and cheaper) alternative to the Amalfi Coast. I highly recommend to hike between Vernazza and Riomaggiore. The hike is quieter than the hikes between other towns (most people only do Monterosso-Vernazza). It is pretty steep so I recommended doing a few practise walks first. There is a vineyard on the trail and you can stop in and have a glass or two of wine mid-hike. Sipping wine in the vineyard where it was made, perched on the side of a cliff... doesn't get any better!
WHAT TO EAT
Henrietta: Since this is where pesto was invented, you HAVE to have some simple fresh pasta with a pesto. We went to Nessun Dorma which had a sensational view. I believe this was in Manarola!
Molly: We had a Michelan Star dinner one night for something special. The restaurant was called Rio Bistrot in Riomaggiore, it overlooked the water which was divine! We opted for the chef's tasting menu which featured the most incredible seafood we've ever had. PLUS it was coeliac friendly for anyone who is allergen concious. There was also the best gelato we tried througout Italy at Gelateria Vernazza.
GETTING AROUND
Jo: We trained and then we were entirely on foot once we got to the town.
Molly: Cinque Terre is really well connected by trains. That’s how we mostly got around.
WHERE TO STAY
Jo: Base yourself in just one of the 5 towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza or Monterosso) you can get to the others quite easily via train. Save yourself the unpacking! I stayed in Vernazza at Camere Toni, the room had a terrace with oceanview, and a quarter of the cost of other places.
Molly: I recommend to stay in La Spezia which is close to Cinque Terre but without the big price tag. There is a train from La Spezia to Cinque Terre which is quick and easy. Plus, you won't have to lug your luggage up the steep cobblestone steps and hills of Cinque Terre! I booked Il Giardino degli Oleandri which was nestled away from the noise but still close to the train.
Henrietta: We based ourselves in Monterosso. This was fabulous, we could train everywhere we wanted to explore and the hotel we stayed at was phenomenal. We booked Stella Della Marina which had breakfast included and was steps from the beach.
