No vacancy in Cinque Terra--Alternative suggestions?

Levanto which is right outside the 5 towns but accessible through train or the trails is a possibility. However, like Larry said, many of my friends have just shown up and were able to get a room. Hope it works out!

The Cinque Terre is a very unusual travel site in that many smaller places to stay do not have websites. Some don't even have email. Credit cards? Forget it in these places. They like cash. You get off the trains and there are people there trying to direct you to these types of available rooms. Some of the towns have rental offices where you show up in the morning, stand in line, and see what's available. Many adventureous traveler's know about this "just show up" approach and use it. Everybody in the towns knows everybody else and they know where the rental rooms are that don't advertise. Just ask around and you'll find somebody with a relative who has a room for rent.

As an alternate, there's the Continental Hotel and the Astoria Hotel in nearby La Spezia. But, they fill up as well.

you could stay in gorgeous Sta Margarita Ligure and opt for a day trip by train to CT.I had one night in summer w/o a reservation in CT and paid way too much even tho I had 48 hours to find a room. Do not risk it in summer, off season however it is no prob to find a room.

We showed up in Vernazza without a room and a very nice lady waiting at the train station escorted us to her apartment and rented one of her bedrooms to us. It overlooked the Piazza and was very inexpensive.

Jenny, travel to the Cinque Terre in July or August especially, needs to be done well in advance. I'm assuming that your Son has already tried the "official" Hostel in Manarola?

As the others indicated, there are many smaller lodgings that don't have websites and will require cash for payment. I suspect you might find something in Riomaggiore, as Rick states "Riomaggiore has arranged it's private room rental system better than it's neighbors". He could take a chance and just show up at the T.I. to see if anything is available?

If the Hostel 5-Terre in Manarola is booked, you might contact Mar-Mar Rooms as they operate a "mini-Hostel" in addition to their other room rentals. They apparently do take reservations for these, and the cost is €20 per night. I believe the Dorms are co-ed. I don't have any comments on the rooms, but I have stayed in their other rooms and they were great. One point to note - if your Son IS successful in getting a reservation, it's almost certain he'll have to arrive before 17:00, as the Mar-Mar office closes precisely at that time!

You might send them an E-mail quickly to see if they have anything available.

Good luck and happy travels!

Confirming the suggestion made by JS above. We too were unable to reserve any rooms before our last trip (September 2007). we stayed in Santa Margherita Ligure (2 nights) and Sestri Levanti (2 nights) instead of CT...we had a wonderful time (hotel had a delicious pool and direct access to the sea in SML). We made a 20-25 minute train ride down the coast to stop in Vernazza, spent the day, and never regreted the fact we were unable to book any rooms there. The fact is that CT has become somewhat of an American ghetto since RS has been reporting on it. You will probably see more Americans than Italians while you are there in CT. For those who recommend that you "just show up" based on their own experience...I suggest that they first give the dates when they had their successful experiences...two or three years ago, it wasn't too crowded..for reservations during the months of June through September, I would be surprised to find very many posters who have been successful using the "just show up method"

Thanks so much to everyone for your great ideas. This is the best helpline I've ever contacted!!

I should have mentioned that when we arrived without reservations, it was in October--July might be different story. I do think that many people in Varenna make or supplement their living by renting rooms in their homes so it might work if all else fails--looks like there are other excellent recommendations though. Happy travels!

Use the telephone for reservations in the CT. For weekends (Fri and Sat nights), reserve as far ahead as possibe. Or wait and try to find a place through the TI in Monterosso (just below the train station). Riomaggiore has a couple of rental "agencies" on the main street. If you show up early in the day they should have something in your price range. A few years ago local owners of rooms were discouraged from soliciting at the train stations and tourists were advised not to do business with people approaching them there.

In the towns of the Cinque Terre you will see signs in the windows of shop with phone numbers to call for rooms. There are tons of rooms available that are not publicized on the web. If he's a young traveler that can is just looking for a place to crash at night he can easily find a room. If he goes without reservations he should aim to arrive early so he has a chance to find a room before others snatch up the empty rooms.

By the way, Jenny, thank you for heading your post with the correct use of "alternative" and not "alternate." It's a pet peeve.

One suggestion if he strikes out on rooms in Vernazza or Manarola. Try Corniglia - it gets less business being way up on the hill. I remember many signs for rooms there. I'm guessing he'll be fine if he gets there midday and asks around. If it hasn't already been mentioned, ask at bars, too.

We have our 5 week trip planned for all of our accommodations except for Cinque Terre where we will be staying for 3 days. We decided to make part of our adventure "winging it" for a place to stay. If we can't find anything in one town, we will keep moving from town to town until we find something.At least we have 5 towns close together to choose from !

I think we will be fine, and I think your son will be fine too.

One reason you can always find a room at the last minute is so many travelers think you can't go if you don't have reservations.

In addition to hotels that book online, there are a number of apartments and rooms for rent that aren't booked online.

Chances are good that you will find something offered immediately upon getting off the train although without reservations you may have to change rooms during your stay (they will help arrange it).

Have him try: [email protected]

It's a central tiny apartment right in Vernazza (no sea view though). It was $70 Euro per night and it was a very clean and pleasant place to stay when we were there.