I've arranged a home exchange in Rome for July 2010 and definitely want to visit the Cinque Terre during this time. Current plan is to take the train to La Spezia, then walk through all 5 villages. I'd like to spend 3-4 days in this area but can't work out the best route, or where to stay overnight. I'd also like to do a boat trip and see the towns from the sea. Can anyone give me some advice on an itinerary with 3 overnight stays - not necessarily in the same town. Also is it best to book accommodation now (Dec 2009)?? I prefer budget-style home-stay accommodation but realise things will be very busy in July. Any tips will be much appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
Hi Margie - Vernazza is the place to stay and I would suggest - http://www.nerinarooms.it/
Directly on the harbor and fairly priced. As far as boat rides - http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187817-d1101401-r17673563-Angelo_s_Boat_Tours-Cinque_Terre_Italian_Riviera.html
Angelo's is a great boat - I've been on it and it's wonderful!!
Also Margie please do this - http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7210936
This section of the trail is from Manarola to Riomaggiore and it's called La Via dell'Amore(lover's path) - A fairly flat section,paved, and complete with Incredible views!! A Cafe halfway across to stop for a beverage - the section only takes about 35 minutes!
Have a Great time in Cinque Terre!!
Ciao, Greg
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Stay in Vernazza @
Posted by
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
430 posts
I will second the vote to stay with http://www.elisabettacarro.it/ -- we stayed in #9 (I think) in November 2000.
I'll also second, strongly, the suggestion to walk La via dell'amore -- -- I did this with my wife on our 5th wedding anniversary back in 2000.
I would definitely stay all 3 nights in the same place. I would also throw the word 'itinerary' out while in the Cinque Terre. Get up, have a coffee, then do whatever seems to make sense. Prioritize just 'being' and 'strolling', intermixed with plenty of 'sitting' and 'watching'...
Definitely go out after dark and hang out on the harbor. If you are an early riser, get up before dawn and hang out at the coffee shop next to the laundromat, then wander down to the harbor for sunrise (facing the wrong way, but awesome nonetheless)
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
I would also recommend Vernazza for staying. All five villages are beautiful but I think Vernazza is the most picturesque. Then in the morning take a train to Riomaggiore and walk the trail from there through Manarola to Corniglia. It's level and easy. From there you can take a train to your accommodation in Vernazza. Next day (start very early, July will be very hot) hike from Vernazza to Corniglia. It's hilly and relatively strenuous. In Corniglia locals can direct you to Guvano beach. You go through the tunnel and the beach is clothing optional. Very secluded. Back to Vernazza by train. Next day hike to Monterosso. It's probably slightly more strenuous than Vernazza- Corniglia. After that hike you will welcome some swimming in the sea. There are a lot of public beaches in Monterosso. You can take a train back to Vernazza but to change a scenery take a boat. If you are in shape you can hike through all five villages in one day but in July heat I would not recommend it.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
691 posts
Margie, i would stay all nights in the same village, it is very easy to travel by train or walk to the next village depending where you decide to stay. I would suggest staying in Manarola, my favorite of all 5 towns, because it is very pretty, you can swim and sunbathe of the rocks, and it is a lot less busy than Vernazza, July will be packed with tourists. The walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola is more like a stroll, we did it before and after supper in Riomaggiore. The next day we did Manarola to Vernazza, and the last day Monterosso to Vernazza. Have fun, Cinque Terre is beautiful!
Posted by
San Francisco, CA, USA
125 posts
We spent (3) nights this past July in the Cinque Terre. Made our home base in Manarola, but did not make reservations until about 2 weeks before.
Recommend spending one day visiting each town by taking the train to each village. The next day can be spent hiking the trails from Monterosso to Riomaggiore.
It was just enough for us, though one more day to relax would have been ideal. The weather this past July was very warm in the Cinque Terre, and we ended up enjoying the swimming area in Vernazza harbor area.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
Have stayed in Vernazza on 3 trips to the C.T. and love it. Most recently spent 4 nights in Vernazza in July 2009 and the weather was beautiful. We stayed at Francamaria's, room #1, with a wonderful harbor/square view. We were there when they celebrated their patron saint day (July 20) and there were lots of extra festivities going on. A concert in the piazza one night, games for kids in the harbor and a huge fireworks display over the harbor. Have a great trip!
Posted by
OP
Adelaide, Australia
2 posts
To everyone who replied!! Thank you all so much for all your tips and advice. The Cinque Terre sounds fantastic - I only wish I didn't have to wait 6 months to get there! Happy travels to you all. Margie G.
Posted by
Saint Helens, OR, USA
304 posts
You Vernazza people keep beating that drum. Meanwhile when I visit I'll be staying in the much quieter Riomaggiore or Manarola. You can find me sitting on one of the many terraces overlooking the sea, away from the night time party people. So by all means, stay in Vernazza.