Transportation to CT and which town to stay

Sharon, Transportation by train from Siena to the Cinque Terre is relatively easy. Using Monterosso as an arbitrary destination, the quickest trip will be a departure at 09:18, arriving at 12:59 (time 3H:41M, two changes at Empoli and Pisa Centrale, current fare 17.50€). The first two legs will be via Regionale, so DON'T forget to validate! "Which town to stay" is mostly a matter of personal preference and everyone here has their favourite. I prefer to stay in Monterosso, as it's the largest of the five and has the largest number of hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. Although you won't be "sitting on the beach", it also has the nicest beach which is a nice "backdrop" when enjoying a fine hot meal. As you're interested in hiking, it's also the start of the No. 2 trails. However, you'll need to continue with your bleacher exercise as the segment from Monterosso to Vernazza is the most challenging, and involves quite a climb at the beginning. I'd suggest looking at the RS Italy Guidebook when you've decided which of the five towns you want to stay in. Your local Library should have a copy. The accommodations in the other four towns are mostly small B&B's (some of which don't provide breakfast), while Monterosso has both conventional hotels as well as B&B's in various price ranges, so there's a greater degree of choice. If you want suggestions for Monterosso, post another note. Even for travel in mid-May, I'd highly recommend booking accommodations as early as possible! Happy travels!

I, too, prefer Monterosso. I've stayed at Mueble Agavi a few times. It is handy to the train station, and is located between old town and new town. Some trains go directly to Rome,Turin, Milan, and Genoa from Monterosso.

Thank you both. Now that I have my flights locked in, I am at the next step of locking in reservations. I am staying at Hotel Silla in Florence - from what I have read, I will like staying in the Santa Croce neighborhood and my room has a view of the river. Now I have CT, Siena, and Rome to take care of... Rome seems to be the most daunting - I need to research it to find out where I should stay - a little knowledge is a dangerous thing! I think Monterroso is a good choice with direct trains to Rome, the beginning of the No 2 trail, and more of a choice of accommodations. I tried to look up Mueble Agavi on line, but was not able to find any contact information. Other suggestions most welcome. Thanks again, Sharon

Sharon, For finding accommodations, I'd recommend having a look in the Italy Guidebook, as there are LOTS of good, reliable places listed there. I'd suggest packing along a copy of the Guidebook on your trip, as I've found that's a valuable reference source. For finding accommodations in Monterosso, this may help (web links are provided): www.rebuildmonterosso.com/p/visitors-information.html I always stay at Hotel Villa Steno (when possible) and can't imagine staying anywhere else. It's a bit of hike to get to at first, but after check-in they provide easier access down through the garden. Their "sister" property, Hotel Pasquale is also excellent (both hotels are owned by the same family). I've also stayed at Villa Adriana, and would certainly recommend that also. BE SURE to book early! For your stay in Siena, I'd recommend Albergo Bernini. For your stay in Rome, could you indicate which part of Rome you'd prefer to stay? I normally book hotels in the area near Termini station, as I find it's very convenient for transportation and easy to get from there to other parts of the city. You might have a look at Hotel Sonya or Hotel Aberdeen. Cheers!

Sharon, "I think Monterroso is a good choice with direct trains to Rome" Just to clarify, I'm not sure there are any "direct" trains from any of the five towns to Rome. There's usually at least one change at La Spezia Centrale. There are only a few direct trains each day (as well as others with more changes), and you can use the Trenitalia website to choose the trip that works best for you. Cheers!

Thank you so much Ken. You have given me a lot to work with - will get started this evening. Once I decide on area in Rome, will get back to you for recommendations - will check out the area that you mentioned. Sharon

Just got back from CT a couple of weeks ago; We took train from Florence; got off at La Spezia, then took regional train to CT; we stayed in Vernazza, at Franca Maria(a recommendation from Rick(; I loved the quaintness of Vernazza, and we had a tremendous meal overlooking the sea at bellforte.
However Monterosso would also be a good place b/c it is flatter than Vernazza; definitely do NOT stay in Corniglia, since there are about a thousand steps up from train station to the town. One other thing: the regional trains are great b/c they run every hour or so; however, we did not have a credit card with a chip, so we had to use cash at the little kiosks at the vernazza train station, or purchase from ticket person in the station; no big deal, just be aware of that. Having said that, CT was everything we thought it would be! loved it!

OF the 5 villages Vernazza is a favorite. A lot of the places to stay are up several flights of stairs. Be sure and ask what floor when you book. Rome. Love the Campo Di Fiori area. Hotel Campo Di Fiori is very nice and in a great area. Safe even at night, central location, and fun during the day with the market right there.

Spending my last night in Italy here in Milan but I was just in CT 2 days ago. I stayed in Monterosso at hotel La Spiaggia. When you get out of the station, you turn right, walk about 50 yards and you're there. You just have to deal with the steps at the metro station, otherwise it's all flat. We saw other tourists lugging their suitcases up the hills and stairs of the other towns and we were so happy not to do have to do that. It's in Rick's book also. If you book early enough and request it, you might be able to get a room with a balcony overlooking the water. We were lucky enough to do so.

Thank you Claudette for using your travel time to contact me. I checked with La Spiaggia last week and they did not have availability for a single room. I have decided to stay at Buranco Agriturismo. It is a 5/10 min walk up the hill but they will pick me up at the train station and drop me back down when I leave so I won't have to trudge up the hill with my luggage. It is a working farm - grapes, lemon trees and olive trees. I thought it would be a fun experience. I thought it might be a good respite in the middle of my travels before I hit the bricks in Rome for 10 days. Enjoy Milan! Sharon

Sharon: Many people find the information on RonInRome.com to be the best on touring Rome, and he has many recommendations on rooms in different parts of the city. We stayed at the highest ranked B&B in the Rome Area in Zagarolo, 20 minutes south of the city. We rode commuter trains into the city to see the sights. See www.olivetreehill.com Our host, Ivano, cooked for us nightly and he's a great tour guide.
We found the suburbs to also have fantastic travel sights.

Thank you David. I "stumbled" on to Ron in Rome and took his advice on where to stay in the Pantheon area. His #1 recommendation was the Relais Maddalena. I was able to get a single room with a view of the Pantheon. He said "it is set in the one of the most beautiful sites in historical central Rome" and he recommends the Pantheon area for first time travelers to Rome. Although the Olive Tree did look very tempting, I think because I am traveling alone, am older and can't add an hour commute time to what will probably be too long a day anyway, where I am staying is a better choice. I understand what you are saying though, as I mentioned in an earlier message I am staying at a working farm in Cinque Terre - I am so looking forward to it - and the entire trip! I am in the process of learning as much Italian as possible before the trip. I was in Turkey for 3 weeks this spring and learned enough Turkish to get by on a minimal level. It certainly added to the fun of the trip. Thanks for getting in touch. Sharon

In Vernazza, try: http://www.elisabettacarro.it/

Just got back Thursday from Rome -- Sharon, I think your decision to stay near the Pantheon is a great one. It is very central, charm to spare and you can walk to many of the sites if you so choose. There's also taxi stands nearby. Happy travels! Todd

We are 70 also and are having a wonderful time in Hotel Marina, in Monterosso, with easy steps, great bfast and afternoon pasta and salad built into price (currently 100 euro) and great restaurants, all within easy walking distance. Best coffee offered at any time day or night. I went directly to their website, didn't use booking sites, found it cheaper. I think view option overrated. Got to tell someone about last nite's collasal seafood at dinner at the Hotel Belvedere: ordered for two, but enough for 4, is a vessel like a Greek amphora,brought to table and spilled into giant bowl full of prawns, mussels, lobster, octopus, squid, swordfish and cod steaks, in a broth from heaven, and toasted garlic bread to slurp up all that sauce. Yes, we finished it all, every tasty bit of it. Only sorry I didn't have room for a gelato.

@Louise, That sounds like Ristorante Belvedere in the old town (the one with the rail tracks rumbling overhead), as the dish you describe is the Anfora Belvedere, a specialty there, which is cooked in a large earthenware pot. I've never tried it as I usually travel solo, and could never finish it. I'm not much of a seafood fan, so probably wouldn't order it anyway. I have watched many other people enjoying it though. Cheers!