We are traveling w/our 12-month-old and need to decide between the French or Italian Riviera. We will be in Provence first and then heading to either the French or Italian Riviera. I am having to make a difficult decision as I'm not finding accommodation in Cinque Terre, but have found accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure. Afterwards, we're off to Tuscany, but are having this dilemma about which Riviera to visit since we couldn't get into Monterosso in the Cinque Terre. Thank you in advance for any helpful advice!
Posted by
Wiesbaden, Germany
791 posts
You will not have a problem finding a place to stay in Cinque Terra, trust me. I've been there a dozen times and never made a reservation and have always found a place. In Vernazza, there are no hotels, mostly just private rooms (with private bath/shower) and they don't advertise online. You get off the train and you'll see signs everywhere advertising rooms for rent. Cost is anywhere from 65 euros and up. We usually stay with this guy, he's got a few places in Vernazza - moggia.willmes@libero.it. He and his wife speak decent English and they have a little enoteca on the main street so we usually buy vino from them to sip on the rocks at sunset as well. But if you're set on the Riviera, I actually prefer the French Riviera. Nice is a good city to use as a base as the hotels are cheaper there (cheaper being a relative term) and most places (including Monaco/Monte Carlo)are a short train ride away.
Posted by
Maryland, USA
18 posts
I would suggest Nice on the French Riviera, especially since you will have your baby with you and will probably want to have your room reserved ahead of time. It is also more level (like Monterosso). As the previous poster suggested, Nice has reasonable hotel rooms, and is also a good home base with great train connections for short train rides to Monaco, Villefranche, Antibes, and Cannes. Villefranche is lovely to visit, but can be more expensive hotel wise, and is a hilltown with much climbing from the harbor up into the town.
Posted by
Ontario Canada
649 posts
With a 12 month old the French Riveria is more pratical, however, if this a trip to see the old quaint areas of Europe- certainly the CT is the place. Vernazza is where we stayed in May and the room was right on the harbour-google franca maria rooms.e-mail - info@francamaria.com. We stayed in room # 1 which has a small kitcenette and another queen pull out. 115E/night for 2 people. They do have other rooms as well-check out their web sight.Regardless if you stay in either place, enjoy.