Hello. I am doing a 5 and a half week trip to Europe and we are staying in the Cinque Terre for 2 nights. It may be a little late for this posting, since we already booked the place we are staying. But I was wondering if anyone had more info about Riomaggiore. Rick seems to love Vernazza, and now I am worried that I booked a room in the wrong village! Any reassurance would be much appreciated!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
25 posts
We loved Vernazza when we spent 3 nights in the CT in October. Using Riomaggiore as a base you can get up early and hike the trail through the CT to Manarola, Corniglia and Vernazza. With a reasonable start you can have lunch (at Il Piratica) and wander around Vernazza for an hour or two, then take the train back to Riomaggiore. If you're in good shape and more ambitious (and didn't drink too much at lunch, the hardest part of the hike is from Vernazza to Monterosso. Alternatively, you can take an early train to Monterosso, hike the two hardest sections first and coast along the easy sections at the end back to Riomaggiore. If you are less ambitious you can easily shuffle along the paved trail to Manarola, eat lunch, sightsee and amble back to Riomaggiore. Hard to go wrong!
Posted by
Oakland, CA
73 posts
You can't go wrong in any of the villages! Hopefully you will get to experience what is unique about each one. Have a great trip!
Posted by
XXX
1170 posts
Ashley,
When are you going? We would like to check out CT but haven't decided which village just yet. We want a nice beach, but then we like the hilly villages. We also love to hike! Makes for a tough decision.
Good luck.
Posted by
OP
miami, fl, USA
6 posts
Eli,
We will be in Italy at the end of April/beginning of May. Then we leave for Israel for 2 weeks!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
ashley,
ANY of the C.T. villages are great to stay in; they each have a unique character. I stayed in Riomaggiore on my last visit, and had a great time. It's the smallest of the five, but has some good lodgings and restaurants. There's not much of a beach for swimming, but that wasn't a big concern for me.
Vernazza has a small harbour and beach for swimming, and Monterosso al Mare has a large sandy beach (the best one of all the towns).
One unusual aspect in Riomaggiore is the "two part breakfast". Coffee and juice is obtained from one place, and eggs & toast from another. If you need details, send me a PM.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Of the five villages the one I wouldn't pick is at the top of the cliffs. I prefer to be close to the water even if I can't jump in. Vernazza was great. Monterosso had the best beach (and I think nightlife).
Posted by
Slidell, LA
570 posts
Ashley
You can't go wrong with ANY of the towns, but you will fall in love with Vernazza. Guaranteed. If you order a railpass from Rick, he will send you a "travel tips DVD" which includes the CT. At the end of each segment you see Rick coming out of a red telephone booth and the next picture is from high above the Vernazza harbor. I promised myself I would get that picture when we were there in September and I did, and hiking to that spot was incredible. By foot or a few minute train ride, all of the towns are easily accessible. Enjoy.
Jim
Posted by
Stockton, CA
152 posts
We had a wonderful stay in Riomaggiore last October. My wife and I, early 60s, walked the easy trail from Riomaggiore>Manarola>Corniglia>Vernazza, took the train to Monterosso, then a boat back to Riomaggiore.
It is a small, quiet town, with several restaurants, small markets, and cafes. The little harbor is very picturesque, and the tunnel from the train is filled with beautiful murals.
Only downside was the group of drunk Americans partying in the small piazza until 3AM. Don't be one of them. Not an awful lot to see in Riomaggiore, but you really do have time to check out all 5 towns.
Our 2 days/nights in CT were the best of our 10 day stay in Italy. You can't go wrong. Have a great time, and plan for lots of photo ops!
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
You will love the Cinque Terre and any of the villages would be lovely to stay in. They are just minutes apart by the train. Like a previous poster stated, there is one village, Corniglia, that is not right on the water but up on a cliff.
We have been there 2x. In 2002 we daytripped in and decided we had to return and spend several days here. We returned in July 2007 and spent 3 nights in Vernazza. It is wonderful after the daytrippers are gone for the night and you can sit down by the water with a bottle of wine or some gelato.
Have fun and enjoy!
Posted by
XXX
1170 posts
I will need to get a place with a small kitchen because I cannot eat out all the time, no matter how wonderful the food might be. Celiac disease can make choices a bit difficult at times!
We're planning a similar trip to CT and I was wondering (for those who have been) if you noticed any grocery stores/market places (fish markets) where one could buy and prepare their own meals. At least some of the meals.
Posted by
Daytona Beach, FL
10 posts
Riomaggiore is my favorite! We always sleep there. For dining you have easy access to all of the villages by train.