I've visited the Cinque Terre on numerous occasions since moving to Italy more than 15 years ago. And while the foot traffic along coastal footpath and in the five villages has increased significantly since my first trip I still find this corner of Liguria charming. Here a few tricks to avoiding the throng. Stay overnight rather than tour the area on a day trip. Relax on the beach or take a boat trip elsewhere during the peak tourist hours from 12:00 to 17:00. Stroll the village streets and hike the coastal trails before the day-trippers arrive and after they go home. Adjust your internal clock to Italian time and make your dinner reservations for after 21:00 when the majority of diners are finishing their coffee. Succumb to your child's desire for yet another piece of focaccia even if after 17:00. It's a long time until dinner.