chinqua Terra, where to stay

Hi Jay.
First of all, it is Cinque Terre. Pronounced much like you spelled it, but spelled as I have shown. I'd stay in one of the 5 towns. They are all charming in different ways. Rick Steves does a fantastic job of describing their character, so I'd go with what appeals to you. Stay in one, but visit them all. Most accommodations only have a few rooms. You really have to hunt a bit. Try Rick's recommendations, try Trip Advisor. The earlier you start the better, even a year in advance. Vernazza is a little low on rooms due to last year's floods, but they are coming back and the rooms are filling up! I tried my favorite place for OCtober and could not get the nights I wanted. No car. It is not an asset in the CT. Take the trains; they are fun! Where will you be before and after your CT stay?

We will be in Lake Como before our CT trip and then after we will have to go to Milan to fly home. We are planning a side trip to Porto Venere if time allows out of CT...... Is it worth going?? Possibly taking the trip back to Milan by traveling through Parma to experience that area. What do you think?? Here is our Itinerary arrive in zurich and take the train to the lauterbrunnen valley where will stay for 4 nights in Murren. Then on to the Lake Como area of Italy for 4 nights staying in Vareena. Then on to The CT for 3 nights
I appreciate any thoughts you may have

I have not been to Porto Venere. I can say that 3 nights in the CT is great for experiencing the CT, assuming you want to hike. You can hike the whole thing in one day if it is open and you have the energy. We hike in the AM and goof off in the afternoon, taking in one or more of the villages before dinner. Rick Steves has self-guided walks of each that are worth doing.

Jay, I would suggest staying in one of the five towns of the Cinque Terre rather than Santa Margherita, as that will add to the travel times back and forth. IMHO, the "character" of the five towns (especially in the evenings) is worthwhile. As Laurel suggested, check the Guidebook to see Rick's description of the five towns. Using that should provide you with an idea on which one best fits your critieria. Monterosso is the largest of the five and therefore has the most Hotels and restaurants, as well as the best sandy beach. What type of "budget" are you considering for Hotels? If you haven't travelled in Europe before, I would highly recommend reading Europe Through The Back Door prior to departure, as it provides a lot of good information on "how" to travel in Europe. Be sure to read the "Rail Skills" section carefully, as there are some "caveats" to be aware of, especially in Italy. When will this trip be taking place? I would suggest pre-booking hotels for the C.T. Have you booked any Hotels in Varenna or the Lauterbrunnen Valley yet? The Guidebook also has good information on travel to Porto Venere. Depending on time-of-year and weather, you might be able to go by boat. Happy travels!

Wow thanks Ken......great information
I think I'll take your advice and check out monterosso. Any hotel ideas in any of the 5 towns?? We will be there early to mid october. Any other close locations you would highly recommend?? Jay

Jay, If you want to stay in Monterosso, I'd suggest having a look at Hotel Villa Steno or Hotel Pasquale (they're both run by the same family). I stayed at Villa Steno last year and had an incredible time. Opening the shutters in the morning and looking at the view made me wish I had booked more time there! Check their website for an example of the views. Even for travel in October, I'd suggest booking fairly early, as they're also used by RS tours so could be booked up even at that time of year. If neither of those have a vacancy, post another note. As far as "close locations", you'll want to have a look at each of the five towns, and perhaps hike one (or more) of the trails that run between them (one trail is currently closed). You could also visit Levanto (a few minutes north of Monterosso) or Porto Venere. The marble quarries at Carrara are in the same general area, so that's another possibility. I'd highly recommend having a look at the Italy 2012 Guidebook, as that has lots of information. You should be able to find a copy at your local Library or larger book stores (also available in E-book format). Cheers!

We like the "new town" part of Monterosso because it's so close to the beach. If you're on a budget stay at arcobaleno5terre.com. It's cheap and clean. We stayed there five days ago. Pete
Europe 2012

We just returned from a trip partially spent in Cinque Terra this week. We actually stayed in Levanto, 1 town north of Monterosso. It was a 5 minute train ride in, and the location was fantastic. No car needed unless you need one to get there, but trains run in from Milan, and even Rome, I believe. We drove in because we were going to Tuscany after where the trains couldn't take us, and our "hotel" had free parking in their lot. I would really, really advise against going in the summer - hot, humid, and crowded more than any place I've ever been. Your October plan sounds good. The food and experience in Levanto was great. I only saw 1 other American the entire time we were there, but the heat, humidity, and lack of breeze made it pretty oppressive. Book early, comb the reviews, and book something maybe a class nicer than you think you want. After all of the hiking and moving around all day, you want to be extra comfy. It was a pretty place to be...that being said as a native Californian I think our costal hikes are superior, cheaper to get to, and less crowded. This trip really made me realized how utterly spoiled us Californians are!

We also chose Levanto - and loved our stay there. Very easy to access the trains that stop at each of the 5C. So nice to come back from the frenetic crowds in the 'popular' towns to a lovely calm town with lots of great restos and very few tourists - esp. few North Americans - it's popular with Europeans. The beach is better than many of those in the CT towns and you can start the infamous hike from Levanto. The train station is an easy walk from the centro and once you are in Levanto a car can be left until you leave. Caveat - the town suffered from the deluge last fall
so not sure how its recover has been.

Thanks for all the info.....its been real helpful I'm actually now concerned about even going to the C5 if its as crowded as it sounds. what do you all think..........Is it worth going to the C5?
Jay

You are the only one who can decide if a place is going to be worthy of your time and effort. Obviously, there must be some pretty convincing reasons why it has become so popular over the past decade. IMO, the whole coast from south of Genoa to La Spezia is very picturesque (and popular) so you don't have to base yourself on the 5C to experience the best the area has to offer. I guess there's a certain cachet to telling folks at home that you've been to the Cinque Terre, but there's a lot to be said for the quieter less RS'ed places along the coast. October will be less crowded but only marginally...so
is it worth it? Your call.

Jay, in mid to late Oct, the CT isn't crazy crowded like the summer months. Try http://www.elisabettacarro.it for a nice place in Vernazza.

Jay, In "early to mid-October", the crowds will have subsided to some degree so I would definitely still suggest a visit to the Cinque Terre. Hopefully the weather co-operates! Cheers!

Just went through CT last week. We stayed in monterrosso at il parco- loved it. Vernazza is cool and is coming around, most shops/restaurants said they had only been open days. We had a car but parkedit for four days. Trains, while usually late are cheap and quick.