I'm taking my wife and 82 year-old M-I-L to Italy in September and want to explore the Cinque Terre, but am having a hard time finding a place to stay. We will be taking the train from Montrerosso to Milan and hooking up with the overnight train to Paris at the end of our visit to CT. Any suggestions for lodging, and any other advice you'd care to offer. It's our first trip to Italy and we're doing it on our own. Thanks.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Do you have Rick's book Italy 2007, it has a list of suggested lodging in the CT? If you have already tried those, you may want to try Venere.com and TripAdvisor.com, for lodging. Have you been on an overnight train in Europe before--I'm thinking of whether your MIL has an idea of what to expect on an overnight train?
Posted by
OP
Slidell, LA
553 posts
This is a new adventure for us and we're trying to be, as Rick says, "open-minded". In the past few months I think I've read and seen everything Rick has put out there on Italy, travel, etc., trains in particular. Is there something about the trains that I need to know related to my M-I-L? She's 82, but walks two miles a day and has played the organ at her church for the past 51 years.
We've ordered the Itally 2007 and Europe 101 History and Art guide books from Rick, along with our rail passes. Thanks.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32198 posts
Jim,
The subject of Cinque Terre accomodations seems to be very popular here lately. For a start (assuming you haven't already done so), check out some of the other Posts as there are lots of great tips.
You might also check Rick's Italy Guidebook as there are lodgings shown for each of the five villages.
As you'll be travelling with your M-I-L, it might be an idea to focus on Monterosso al Mare as it's the largest of the towns and has the best selection of Hotels, etc.
Good luck!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Jim: Sounds like you're doing your homework! And it sounds like your MIL is in better shape than I am, give her my compliments on her exercise regime! :-) You can efficiently search this HelpLine for all the prior posts on Cinque Terre lodging (as suggested by Ken) by using the search box in the upper right corner, search on "Cinque Terre" and it will give you the past comments, should give you some leads.
Posted by
Kelso, WA, USA
221 posts
Jim good for you for taking your mother in law but keep in mind that if she walks the flat streets around her neighborhood that is very different from hills, steps and cobble stones. Take it easy and watch for those balance issues, you also might want to invest in some great travel insurance that covers medivac services for all of you. A good friend of mine's 53 year old partner had a heart attack recently in China and that insurance literally saved his life..
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Chere makes a good point: it would be very important to make sure that your mother in law's US medical insurance will cover her in Europe, including medical evacuation. If something happens and it turns out you are not covered, these costs can be very high. Insuremytrip.com is one place to shop for traveler's medical insurance.
Posted by
La Quinta, CA, USA
21 posts
My wife and I just spent 3 nights in the CT 2 weeks ago...it was great...we stayed in Monterosso...if you're looking for a hotel, I'd recommend a couple Rick Steves' suggestions, the Hotel Pasquale with a seaside location and elevators or the Hotel Villa Steno with a higher up location but with seaviews, just check their websites and email a request...we stayed at the Hotel Pasquale and were very happy with everything, especially the beachfront location right in the heart of everything in the old part of the city...also the Ristorante Belvedere, a short walk from the Hotel Pasquale is excellent...good travels...