Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eating on the Hoof: The National Park Restaurants
The Cinque Terre Park authorities run a number of restaurants and refreshment
points situated on the hiking routes—you can reach these on foot, or simply
catch one of the park buses in hillside hamlets. Most feature great views and offer
simple fare typical of the region; for good value, try the
€
15 “hiker's meal” (com-
prising a
primo, secondo
(usually fish), dessert, glass of red or white wine, water,
and coffee). It's an excellent value given that this includes the iniquitous
coperto
(note that if you order any items from the a la carte menu, the
€
2
coperto
will
be charged).
The following four refreshment points can be utilized as great pit stops while
hiking: The
Dell'Amore
(
%
0187-921026),
located on Lovers Lane between
Riomaggiore and Manarola. Second, located in the hills almost halfway between
Corniglia and Vernazza,
San Bernardino
(
%
0187-812548)
makes a perfect half-
way break, with lovely views back to Corniglia. Third,
Montenero
(
%
0187-
760528),
the starting point to most mountain-bike trails and a number of walks,
serves traditional meals in a vaulted, whitewashed 14th-century refectory. Finally,
Monesteroli
(
%
0187-758214; reached by Biassa bus from Riomaggiore),
is one
of the most charming venues, with warm golden hues off set by avocado-green
lampshades, and where you can enjoy a splendid
vista con mare
from the terrace
in the evening.
Alternatives for Exploring the Park
Another good way to get off the overburdened coastal track is to explore the
higher routes on
horseback
or
mountain bike.
Guided horseback excursions
(summer to Sept 15; 9am-12:30pm and 5-8pm) aimed at beginners (90 min.;
€
25 or
€
20 with Cinque Terre Card), and experts (4 hr.;
€
50 or
€
35 with Cinque Terre
Card) can be arranged through any of the
park information points
(
%
0187-
920633).
There are also four well-marked mountain-bike trails, most of which
start from the
Montenero Sanctuary
(
%
0187-760528),
where you can also
rent
the cycles
and any other gear you may need
(
€
4 for a half-day;
€
2.50 with
Cinque Terre Card).
Better still, get out your swimsuit and explore the translucent waters of this
beautiful coastline. A dinghy should cost in the region of
25 or
€
20 with Cinque Terre Card), minimum-experience riders (2 hr.;
€
60 for 4 hours
(plus fuel), or you can rent a kayak for around
€
7 an hour (look for the rental
signs at Riomaggiore harbor or at the sandy cove at Vernazza's harbor).
Alternatively, contact Kate
(
%
3288-426885; www.fishnet.it)
for
guided coastal
tours
by boat
(
€
80 per hr.; maximum seven persons; discounts for half- or full
days).
Incidentally, Kate, who has been living in Monterosso for the past 15 years,
also offers wine tastings (
€
40 to
€
€
60) and full-day tours covering the five villages (
€
250).
