Manarola Favorite Tips by Jmill42 Top 5 Page for this destination

Hiking the Cinque Terra

Favorite thing: Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in the Cinque Terra is to take in the natural beauty of the area. The best way to do that is to hike one of the numerous trails. Hikes range from 20 minutes (Manorola to Riomaggiore) to 12 hours (Porto Venere to Levanto). A hike taking in all of the 5 villages will take about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. None of the trails directly between the villages are hard. Only when you start using some of the trails in the mountains and forests, do they become moderately difficult. Of course, if you have any medical issues, you should take care on any hike. (Sorry, I am a physical therapist!)

Via dell' Amore

Favorite thing: The path from Manorola to Riomaggiore is know as Via dell' Amore. For me, it was my least favorite path, because the name attracts all of the tourists to it. It is concreted over, so it lends itself to an artificial feel. I much prefered the dirt paths up into the hills above the villages, though they are a bit harder for those looking to stay easy.

The Cinque Terra Card

Favorite thing: The first thing you should do when you arrive in the Cinque Terra is buy the Cinque Terra card. They are available in 1, 3 and 5 day passes, and allow for unlimited journeys between the towns, free transport in the towns by the area's electric vans, and give you entry into the hiking trails maintained by the park. All of these things are worth the price by themselves, but maybe the best part of it, is that the proceeds go towards restoration and upkeep of the region. With all the tourism generated by the area's beauty, we must all do our part to keep the place beautiful for everyone after us. Naturally, this goes for every place we visit! But, especially one as fragile an environment as the Cinque Terra.

Prices:
- Eur 5.20 (1 day )
- Eur 12.40 (3 day )
- Eur 19.50 (7 days)

Cinque Terra Card Purchasing

Favorite thing: There are many places to buy the Cinque Terra card, but the best place is either in Levanto or La Spezia, depending on which direction you are coming from. At either of these two stations, with the purchase of the card, the ride into the Cinque Terra is covered. That way you wont have to buy the ticket to the villages and then pay for the card. Cards are available at all of the village train stations, if you do happen to bypass the points at Levanto and La Spezia.

Schiacchetra

Favorite thing: Schiacchetra, the local specialty wine, is a very sweet white wine pressed from near-raisins. The climate and soil dictates the type of grapes that could be grown here, and it is a testament to the locals ingenuity, that they have been able to turn out such a good wine. For those of you who know, the Vin Santo of Santorini is of the same ilk, but the schiacchetra is not a dessert wine like that one. Both are definitely worth the money you pay for them. Excellent wines.