favorite of the Cinque Terre towns to stay in Oct. 11-14?

Really any of the towns would be good except for Corniglia as it is not on the water and the train station is a ways down the hill from the town. Rick's favorite is Vernazza. Our tours usually stay in Monterosso, but Manarola and Riomaggiore are both nice as well. You can't go wrong with either of these four.

Thanks so much Abe!

On the positive side for Corniglia (we stayed in the same place in 08 and 12) - it is much quieter and way less crowded and touristy! There is a shuttle that runs from the train stn to the village center.

Monterrosso was awesome. You won't be disappointed!

Corniglia is lovely but yes, it's also the most difficult to access. We liked Monterosso as had it had the most services, and we were able to book a hotel within a very easy walk of the train station, and very near the water but any of the other three would be fine as well.

But what are these places like in mid-October?

Good question!!

We really enjoyed Bonassola -- it's a 3 minute train ride from Levanto. Much less crowded than the other cities of the 5T with a lovely beach.

In Vernazza, we have stayed here in October:

http://www.elisabettacarro.it/