Vernazza - Do we really need a reservation?

Showing up in the CT without a reservation is often done. RS used to recommend it in his book but I don't know if he still does. It is not uncommon to find elderly ladies on the train platforms in the CT trying to get you to rent a room. People have sometimes reported here that they have scored very nice rooms. Many of the smaller CT places do not advertise and are not on the Internet. You might do well. Also, we have seen a place in Monterosso where people with rooms to rent call in. We've seen the line out the door. I would suggest that if you plan on doing this, you do it earlier in the morning. By the afternoon, these places are often rented. A garden and a small fridge? You might be going overboard. You would be lucky to get a room.

Rebecca,

Try roomartina.com

We loved our room and it comes with a bonus butt lift!! (86 stairs, I think!) Anyway, all joking aside, I wouldn't go without a reservation. Don't be surprised if they ask for your credit card info via email. No worries.

Martina didn't have a garden room, but apparently there is one with a terrace. We loved being down in the harbor. We didn't have to climb steps in the village and then into the building to get to our room.

If you go in September, you will not have trouble finding a room in Vernazza. I've been to Vernazza at least a half dozen times from May through September, always without a reservation, and have never had a problem finding a room.

I wouldn't sweat the reservation if you're travelling in September. Only when travelling in peak season (or now, since I have an infant) would I ever make a reservation. The rooms recommended by Rick may be booked (especially in Vernazza), but you can always find others available, definitely in one of the towns. I've always stayed in Vernazza and Monterosso, but each town has it's own charm. However, you might be limiting yourself with the garden and fridge requirement. I typically use my rooms to change and sleep, then spend most of my time in the towns exploring and people watching. So, get a room without a garden, then head to Vernazza's harbor and order a Pinot Grigio and some fresh anchovies (trust me, they're awesome. My wife thinks anchovies are disgusting, but she "tried" mine for the sake of doing so and I had to order another plate) and watch to day unfold. I'm relaxed as I write this...

We were there in October with five people (three kids) and no reservations. We were greeted at the train by people offering lodging. We looked at one but it was a little small - so we went into town and asked at a hotel. A woman from the hotel went into the street and had a discussion with a couple of other women, then they took us to a nice apartment that met our needs perfectly.

I'm not sure I'd try it in August but I think you will be fine in September, especially if you show up on a weekday.

Give her a call:

www.elisabettacarro.it If you don't mind a LOT of steps, it's the best view in town. Have a great trip!

Thank you for all the replies. We ended up finding a lovely cottage in Vernazza with a terrace and fridge surrounded by lemon trees...and now we can just show up and relax.

http://www.acasa5terre.it/vernazza.html

Ercole...

And I guess I will have to try the anchovies....