gasmaster58

I'm the OP and just want to report back what we did. We did end up going to both CT and Pisa. I had 11 people in my extended family ages from 12 to 72. I did start out the day with an open mind, not insisting on doing both. Again, our port time was from 12 noon to midnight. We left the ship about 12:30 and got back on board at 11:30.

We walked to the station and took the train to Riomaggiore, then to Monterosso next (not by choice, the train went straight there without stop), then to Vernazza and Corniglia. We spent a lot of time in Rio ( walked all the way up the church and down to the marina) and Vernazza. We even had some fried calamari and gelato.

After Corniglia, we decided to skip Manarola. It was really hot that day and very crowded. By that time, we'd walked for more than 9 miles (not the grandparent thought) so we're tired. We're planning to go back to the ship but I looked at my watch and saw that it's not even 7 o'clock yet. At La Spezia train station, we checked the schedule to Pisa and realized that we'd have enough time if we wanted to go and that's what we decided to do. We spent about 45 minutes there. Everyone in our group thought that it's completely worth it to go to Pisa.

Yes, it's a "been there, done that" kind of a place but you can only say that if you're actually been there, done that, correct? Would I go back? No. There are many other places that I would not go back either such as The Great Wall, Niagara Falls, the Eiffel Tower, Neuschwanstein Castle etc. but it does not take away the excitement you have the first time you see them. I don't know if I missed a lot not going to Manarola but I would go back to CT.

There is one thing I would change is that I would go to Pisa first and then go to CT. It would be not as hot with less crowd later in the day and I would be able to experience CT at night.

That plan is not possible then. There is also only one train back to Genoa and the time does not work for us. I guess we'll find something else to do in Genoa. Thanks

I think it might be interesting to linger around Cinque Terre and see it at night. We will try to make it to Pisa from Genoa the next day. We've been to Genoa, Santa Magherita Ligure and Portifino before. Is there anything else more interesting to do from Genoa than going to Pisa? Thanks.

Thanks to everyone for your inputs. There is never a doubt that Cinque Terre is our priority. Just wanted to see if we can squeeze Pisa in as a side trip. It looks like we'll stick with just Cinque Terre.

Question for all of the experts on La Spezia/Cinque Terre.

Our cruise is coming up in June. We'll have a stop in La Spezia from noon to 1 AM. I'm planning to go to Cinque Terre for sure. My question is: Do we have enough time to go to Pisa as well? I just want to take a quick look so I can say that we've been there. The train from La Spezia to Pisa takes about 50 minutes so I'll need at least 3 hours to go to Pisa and back. Is 9 hours enough to see Cinque Terre? If we go to both, is it better to do Cinque Terre first or vice versa?

Thanks.

Details on cabins 11074,11076 and 11091 please. Thanks.

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Just want to let everyone know that SPB is running a early-booking discount to all Cruise Critic members who book before Jan 1, 2014. Two day deluxe tour only $285 per person.

TJ Tour is also having a 5% discount on their website for booking before October 1.