Vernazza

http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/sentieri_parco.asp?id_lingue=2

I prefer Monterosso as a base. More things to do, more restaurants, bars, better beach..

Vernazza is back to normal, according to Rick. He's going back to film a new hi-def TV show there this year, since the issues that might have made the show dated or short-lived are done. You always have to confirm the condition of hiking trails while there.

I've been in Vernazza several times following the disastrous floods, and have found that it's mostly back to normal. There were a few pieces of infrastructure that haven't yet been restored (such as the community gas system), but repairs are ongoing and they're absolutely "open for business". To look at the harbour area, it's difficult to see any evidence of the flood damage.

As Roberto mentioned, I also prefer to stay in Monterosso (which was also damaged by floods) and prefer to use that as a "home base". It's the largest of the five towns and therefore has the greatest number of hotels, restaurants and other tourist amenities.

We were in Vernazza in 2009 before the floods & again this past September 2013 after the floods & I'd say from a tourist perspective, things were pretty much back to normal with the exception of some infrastructure as Ken mentioned. Vernazza looked and felt the same as it did in 2009 and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there as well as the entire Cinque Terre. I also recommend Monterosso as a home base; it's larger and contains more amenities, plus it's relatively flat and makes it easy when schlepping luggage from the train station to hotel, etc. Have a great trip.