We are planning a trip next fall and will be arriving late in Florence. The next morning we will be leaving for 2 day trip through the Cinque Terra. Any suggestions on hotels convenient to the Florence train station? Or, suggestions on where we may want to stay in the Cinque terra? Thanks
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Are you using Florence only as a stopover to the Cinque Terre, or will you return? Will you arrive by train or plane? There are many - dozens - of hotels near the train station. Tripadvisor.com is a good source of prices and reviews.
Posted by
Modesto, CA, USA
19 posts
Albergo Pasquale is a wonderful Hotel in Monterroso.
Posted by
Camas, WA, USA
166 posts
Hi Fred!
I stayed at Hotel Il Bargellino in Florence. It was a 5 minute walk from the train station (straight down the main street in front of the station, and a left turn onto the street of the hotel). The hotel itself was beautiful, and the rates were unbeatable. Rick recommends it in his book-and there are many user reviews under the feedback section on the Graffiti Wall. Good luck and have fun!
Jenny
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
About a block and a half closer to the train station than the il Bargellino is the Hotel Basilea. We stayed there last year as we too wanted very close access to the train station. Nice rooms and a very nice European-style breakfast (rolls, toast, cereals, cheeses, lunch meats, yogurts, juices and the ever present cappuccino machine). A bit more expensive than the il Bargellino but the il Bargellino does not have breakfast according to RS and their website.
The Hotel Basilea is about 5 blocks from the train station. You go north on Via Nazionale to Via Guelfa. Turn right and walk 150 feet and you're there. For il Bargellino, you turn left on Via Guelfa and go 1-1/2 blocks. Both are very close to the train station.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Fred,
I stayed at www.hotelaldobrandini.it/enindex.htm in Florence, and would certainly recommend them (I got the listing from Rick's book). The Hotel is easy walking distance from Firenze S.M.N. Railway station.
Regarding where to stay in the Cinque Terre, you'll first have to choose which of the five villages you want to stay in? If you want larger Hotels, Monterosso al Mare would be the best choice (the older part of town through the tunnel is bit more rustic). If you want smaller and more "authentic" rooms have a look at Riomaggiore or Manarola (have a look at www.torrettas.com to see if that looks suitable). Vernazza seems to be be one of the most popular, so sometimes hard to find vacancies. Corniglia is up on a cliff, so a bit of a walk to the rail station using LOTS of steps (or take the shuttle bus). I stayed in Riomaggiore on my last trip. It's the smallest of the villages, but has some awesome restaurants.
Hope that helps? Happy travels!