Vernazza, Monterosso or Manarola in December? places to stay? Casa Manuel?

We stayed in Riomaggiore and while I can't recommend the hotel we stayed in I did enjoy the town very much. Vernazza will be the next town we stay in though. Out of the 5 I liked these two the best. I would say avoid Corniglia as there really is'nt much there. But it really kinda depends on when you'll be coming too.

Heather,
We stayed in Vernazza in October and loved it. We will go back! I don't know what to say about weather in December, but you can go to Genoa, Lucca, even Pisa as daytrips on the excellent trains, or just hang out in Vernazza. We enjoyed our apartment with Maria Capellini, http://www.mariacapellini.com/index.html. Her husband, Giacomo, speaks English and they are the sweetest people! Be sure to eat at Il Pirata, both breakfast (fabulous pastries) and dinner, a gourmet delight!

In Vernazza, try www.elisabettacarro.it/

If you want an active nightlife stay in Monterosso or Vernazza. If you want to enjoy the everyday life & real people of the CT stay in Riomaggiore or Manarola. All of the towns are busy with daytrippers. But in the early evening the residents come out and there is something resembling an actual passagiata. Something else to consider, you have a good chance to find a room with a terrace in Riomaggiore & Manarola. Very few of them in Vernazza. Vernazza & Monterosso are very beautiful and a must to visit, but stay elsewhere.