1

Don't bother you will not have enough time to see it plus the lower path which is the only one you might have time to walk is closed due to yet more lanslides and more bad weather is forecast. If you want to visit somewhere other than Florence and Pisa check out Lucca, it is a gem of town. To visit the Cinque Terre for a few hours is not really worth it and thats all you will have time for either taking the train yourself or on a trip. You certainly will not have tine to visit more than 1 or 2 of the towns

2

Hi Richiavo
Thanks for the response, its just an area I really want to get to, i don't mind not seeing all of the towns. If I go from Florence, I can leave anytime in the early morning and don't need to be in Pisa until 9pm for my flight. That said, the landslides do concern me and if they will severely affect exploring it may as you say not be worth it...

3

Well the best way is take a train then, the first of the towns is Riomaggiore will take 2 hours 40 minutes from Florence changing at Pisa and La Spezia. It will take you around 1 hour 50 to get back to Pisa you will need to check train times as there is a less frequent service on Sundays. The lower path might reopen but you need check the weather the forecast for the rest of the month is for a lot of rain although this could change. Also remember there will not be many trains at all between 12.30 and 16.00 so to see a couple of towns you will probably have to walk bewteen them. I would not arrange anything because added to that it is really not worth heading over there on a wet and dark day. If you wake up to a sunny day then head over there. But as I have already said I personally wouldn't go for such a short time.

4

Advice noted, thanks again! I'll also look into Lucca, thanks!

5

I personally wouldn't try it on that timeframe. If you can squeeze one extra day into your itinerary, you will be better able to "see" Cinque Terra.

6

I agree with the previous replies, Cinque Terre from Florence is quite a cumbersome day trip, moreover as it involves some changes of trains (and trains aren't that reliable in Italy). On the other hand, Cinque Terre are very well connected to Pisa, so if the weather is good it might be not such a bad idea.
Besides Riomaggiore, remember to check connections to Monterosso (it's the biggest of the Cinque Terre and is the only town that is served by faster IC trains... it might then take you less to get there, than to the other 4 Terre)

7

I've got an itch to visit, but I'll plan a longer trip to do it justice!

8

I am going to Italy around Thanksgiving. I have always heard about the Cinque Terre and wanted to go… However, I know it is not beach weather and have encountered a few hotels that will be closed. Is it just silly and a waste to visit this area at the end of November? Or will I potentially still have ok weather and enjoy walking around for a day? Thanks for your thoughts!

9

#8, it will depend on the weather, but it is difficult to know until a few days in advance. Certainly not a safe bet, though.