Cinque Terre - is June 8 arrival "high season"?

Hi Ted. You will be almost surely be able to find a room. Just up to you whether you want to spend time on it. For me, my time is valuable and I would rather not deal / worry about it. But for others, it's part of the fun / adventure. Enjoy your trip!

It depends on whether where you stay is important, or as Bob mentions how you want to spend your time. Scenario A: You reserve a place now, knowing more-or-less what the accomodations will be from reviews on Trip Advisor or this helpline. The price is within your budget. You arrive in chosen city and start enjoying. Scenario B: You get off the train in Vernazza and there are no rooms. You go to Manarola and are met by a little old lady with a room to rent. It is above an alley with a noisy restaurant below; you pass. You go to Corniglia and find a room but it is 200 steps up and down to the station, and 40 from street level to your room. And it's 130 euros per night. You are now hungry and tired of climbing steps. (OK, there is a shuttle in Corniglia, but allow me the drama, please! And the shuttle can get full really fast.) Choose your own adventure, but I am way to cranky to take that chance!

Traeveling without reservations gives you flexibility when you want to wander and stay in towns that catch your interest. You sound definite about your itinerary. If you are committed to those dates, book ahead and save yourself the scenario Laurel describes.

Ted is still hoping for a story from someone who has arrived in CT in the first week of June who can share their experiences. I have been warned by the skeptics.

We were in Riomaggiore first week of June last year. It was pretty crowded. I would book ahead myself. I booked about a week before and there wasn't much to choose from in any of the 5 CT towns themselves.

Ted, Given the popularity of the Cinque Terre and the fact that June is in the middle of the "spring shoulder season", I'd suggest pre-booking your accommodations. You could be fortunate and find something as soon as you arrive, but I wouldn't count on it. As the others have pointed out, spending valuable holiday time wandering around several of the villages looking for a place to sleep while hauling all your luggage is not the most pleasant of activities (at least IMO). You'll more likely find a room on short notice in Corniglia as it's not as popular as the other villages, mostly due to the fact that it's located on a high bluff and not close to the water. However, lodgings are a bit more "limited" in Corniglia, although they do have a Hostel if you're interested. I've been having a few difficulties finding a room in the C.T. in September, so I'm sure June would be even MORE difficult. Happy travels!

I'm starting to wonder if Cinque Terre is worth it. If I wanted to go to an overcrowded destination with too many tourists, I could visit Laguna Beach on any weekend in the summer. Making reservations through an agency in Rome that just happens to charge 130 euros per night for every single booking they handle in CT....Ahh well. La Dolce Vita... Welcome to Italy, I guess. Maybe Lucca, Siena and Florence would be a better place to spend my time. I lived in Hawaii for 9 years, it's not like I've never seen the Ocean.

Ted, The Cinque Terre is absolutely "worth it" (IMHO of course), as it's a somewhat "unique" area. That's why I'm making a return visit this year. While it can be crowded at times, I've never fund that to be a problem. I'm a bit curious on your method for locating Hotels (described in your other Thread). I normally just use the listings in the Guidebooks, and contact the Hotels directly. I've never had occasion to use a C.T. booking site located in Rome and don't expect I ever will. Cheers!

@Ken, I'll try to work the guidebook a little better, but you must admit... ...there are no Hiltons in Vernazza. That's the point, of course. Cinque Terre Holidays, Cinque Terre vacations, Cinque Terre whatever...when you look at the email details, you're dealing with someone in Rome. (looking at the IP address) So the apartments and B&B's all seem to work through agents in Rome, or Genoa; if they have a "web presence" that is. It's a language thing, I know. In any event, I'll try to work through the guidebook and find a "hotel" that works. Or, I'll just stay in La Spezia and train in.

Ted, What type of accommodations are you looking for, and do you have a preference for which village you stay in? As you noted, there are no Hiltons in the C.T. but there are a few somewhat "conventional" Hotels in Monterosso (the largest of the five villages). Most of the villages typically have a varied selection of Affitacamere. The "Italian Riviera" is somewhat rustic and informal so the accommodations tend to reflect that. I tend to start with the listings in the Guidebook, but often "double check" on Trip Advisor to get a variety of opinions. If your budget will allow, you might have a look at This B&B in Manarola. Good luck!