|
It’s never a bad idea to visit the beautiful Cinque Terre, in Italy. Whether you plan to spend a few days in one of the five villages, or take a day-long Cinque Terre tour while you’re staying in Florence, it’s guaranteed to be one of the most picturesque and memorable times of your life. When you’re planning your Cinque Terre tour it will help to understand what it’s like at different times of the year with regards to the weather and how busy it will be. It’s a long season, in terms of tourism, so you do have to be prepared for the fact that if you visit in peak periods, it can get quite crowded – both on the trail and in the streets of the villages themselves. On the flipside, if you choose to visit in the quieter months, while of course there will be fewer crowds, many of the trails may not be accessible. The following breakdown will give you the basics so you can make an informed choice. When’s the Best Time to Visit? There are visitors arriving here in numbers pretty much from the middle of March until the middle of October. The ideal time for you to plan your Cinque Terre tour will, of course, depend on your personal preferences, but it can make a big difference to your budget if you choose to travel outside peak season. November to February: Winter From November through until February, many cafes and restaurants are closed and the temperatures drop dramatically, although the days can be very pleasant. This is considered the low season, so you can also pick up some very good bargains in terms of accommodation if you plan to stay over. This time of the year can actually be really nice, as long as you don’t mind rugging up, and it can be a really enjoyable time to do some hiking. You do have to plan for some wet weather, though, particularly in November, and it’s definitely too cold to enjoy the sea. In one of the villages, Manarola, they have a traditional nativity scene on display from December through January. March, April and May As the weather warms up, the crowds arrive and the prices go up. While there is a risk of rain, it’s a wonderfully lush time of the year – with plenty of flowers and trees to admire as you hike the trails. It’s still too cold to enjoy a dip in the ocean in March and April, but by May some brave visitors may be starting to give it a go. The village of Monterosso hosts the Lemon Festival in May. June, July and August The busiest and hottest time of the year is definitely peak summer, namely July and August. It’s a wonderful time to make the most of the sea, although it can get rather crowded in the water at the popular venues. This is also the most expensive part of the year, when there is a high demand for accommodation with Europeans on their annual summer holidays. There are also various festivals and celebration days in all the villages during these months, including Ferragosto (15th August), which is a public holiday. September and October September and October are the premium months to visit, because you don’t have the searing summer temperatures to contend with and there are far fewer people on the trails. Even though October sees the highest rainfall of the year, it’s pretty intermittent, so won’t interfere with your plans too much if you can be patient. A place as gorgeous as this really is stunning any time of the year, but if you want to include hiking or swimming as your main activities you’ll need to plan accordingly. If you’re staying in Florence and looking to do a day trip, you’ll also need to check when they run their Cinque Terre tours. Author Plate Mauro Bramante is the Director of WalkAbout Florence, an independent business offering unforgettable tours and excursions around Italy including the best Cinque Terre tour itinerary. Whether you want to ride a Vintage Vespa, try the famous Chianti wine or get cooking with fresh local ingredients, Mauro's company promises excitement, adventure and above all, fun. If you're keen to experience the magic of Italy with the help of some passionate and knowledgeable tour guides, look no further than WalkAbout Florence for your next getaway.
Related Articles -
Cinque, Terre, tour,
|
