What to do in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre: is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the 5 towns, colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces, harbors are filled with fishing boats and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto. The Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail links the villages and offers sweeping sea vistas. Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Park. Cinque Terre is beyond crowded during the summer months (June-August) and I recommend going in May, September, or October. It's super easy to get from town to town on either foot via hiking trails or by train. Stay in La Spezia or Portovenere to save money. The Cinque Terres villages are from north to south: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. All breathtaking villages with wonderful sights, churches, great eating, gelato, and wine!

Before you go
Make sure you have hotel reservations. If you cannot find a room in one of the "five" (Cinque) "cities" (Terre), then checkout accommodations in La Spezia. La Spezia is a port city and it's inexpensive and has a train that takes about 35 minutes to get to Monterosso to begin your adventure! Check the Cinque Terre website for weather conditions. Sometimes the trails close from town to town due to mudslide or rockfall. Here is the website: http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Ecentri-visita.php and when you are finally get there, you can visit the Cinque Terre Welcome Center for a map and current conditions. Be ready to purchase a Cinque Terre Card that will provide you with local train rides and entry to the trail system. The card is not sold on line; only at the Welcome Centers. As of today (7/12/17) to the next year, the trail from Corniglia to Riomaggiore is closed. The CT card includes the following and can be purchased at any of the Welcome Centers:

Second class travel with the regional and regional fast trains (except for the IC/ICN/FB trains) in the route Levanto - La Spezia (and vice versa)
Access to the Park area
Guided visits, depending on the planning
Poetic Nature Paths at Parco Letterario Eugenio Montale and Parco delle Cinque Terre according to the program
Use of the Bus Services managed by ATC among the villages
Use of the toilets with fee
Participation in the workshops of the Park's Environmental Education Center, depending on the planning
WI-FI internet connection in the Park's Hot Spots
Reduced-price ticket to visit the Civic Museums in La Spezia (Amedeo Lia, Castello San Giorgio, CAMeC, Sigillo, Palazzina delle Arti, Etnografico, Diocesano)

Wi-fi, Internet and Cell Phones
With the purchase of the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card, you will get wi-fi Internet connection in the Park's hot spots. Don't expect any free wi-fi points because this is an ancient area and there are not cell phone towers. Cell phone and wi-fi are spotty. Don't expect anything more, so get used to being disconnected, unless your hotel has wi-fi.

Money
Exchange rates fluctuate. You can pre-purchase Euros before you head out to Europe, but I usually exchange when I get there. I use Travelex to check the rates https://www.travelex.com/currency/euros prior to flying to Europe. You can also pre-purchase from Chase and Bank of America for free if you have an account with them.

Food and Water
Drinking water in Italy, including Cinque Terre is fine. There is nothing wrong with it and there are strict guidelines in Italy on their water system. You can take a Camelpak and fill it with water from public water fountains. No need to purchase water bottles and add more plastic to this earth!

What to Purchase
Wine, wine, and more wine and cheese. Nothing special to purchase here, but the wine is regional, so enjoy a glass or two! Don't forge to drink a little Lemoncello too.