Cinque Terre by Train: Shore Excursion from La Spezia

Think of this Cinque Terre shore excursion by train as a day on the Ligurian coast with a local to point the way. The rails run along cliffs above the sea, so the views start before you step off at the first village, and the trip ends with a return to the ship that is guaranteed on time.

You decide how it begins. Either make your own way to La Spezia Central Station, or meet the tour leader at the cruise terminal and walk together through the port city's streets, shops and sounds to the station. Then come the villages, with free time in each:

• Vernazza, a harbour ringed by Ligurian houses, and a piazza lined with restaurants and bars
• Manarola, set on a rock about 70 metres above the sea
• Riomaggiore, whose coloured houses tumble down the cliffs towards the water
• Monterosso, the largest of the five, with sandy beaches and medieval streets

The ticket covers the train from La Spezia, the Cinque Terre Card (a daily pass for the trains) and entry to the national park, with an English- or Spanish-speaking leader. Food and drinks are extra. Bring comfortable shoes, and a swimsuit if the beach tempts you. The tour is not suited to people with mobility impairments, and the order of the stops can change.