visiting The Cinque Terre

Reading RS Italy GB will help the most. I personally like Vernazza. You will get a number of responses, others like the other 4 for various reasons. Lucca is nice,liked Pisa better. Also.... when are you traveling?? What do YOU like to do?

I really liked Lucca, but it is in Tuscany, not the Cinque Terre. When in the CT I stayed in Vernazza and thought it was a good choice. We stopped in Pisa for a few hours as we traveled from Lucca to Vernazza. That was plenty of time in Pisa as far as I was concerned. In Vernazza I rented from Maria Capellini. Check her places out at www.mariacapellini.com. If you plan to stay IN the CT you should try to book early.

I would love to stay in CT, but I have a knee issue, so hiking up and down steps to an extreme amount, will not be good for me. That is why the idea of traveling in for a day appealed to my husband and myself. I hate the thought of missing this part of Italy. La Spenzia, Lucca, as we will be traveling by train...the trip is planned for early October, and we just love to immerse in the local culture.

Those that have stayed in Monterossa may say there is a LOT less climbing when dealing with their Hotels. Also....not sure of weather, saw a few posts regarding rainy season, but may have been for November?

Montorosso is pretty flat. You should be okay basing there. I was in CT in July. Stayed in Vernazza, but spent a day on the beach in Monterosso. Lots of restaurants and shops. The beach is down a flight from the street level (at least at one end, maybe not at the other-I believe one end was at street level.) If the ferry is running from village to village (it was not while I was there in July due to rough seas), then you could visit Vernazza's port by boat. Vernazza is charming, especially at night when it's less crowded. If you take the train, then you have to walk down a flight of steps and then walk downhill a ways, and then uphill and upstairs on the return.

Kerry has good advise if weather permits, you never said when you would be there.

hi clare, was in the ct recently. the best place in my opinion for base is vernazza. its very cool! plenty of places to stay, eat and shop. also there is an internet cafe as well..some of the places to stay have grand sea views for cheap. its quite ez to navigate the trains between the cities if you choose. of course you must take the shoreline hikes between the cities. the best hikes are the hikes that lead you back into vernazza from the south. enjoy!! eric

We really love staying in Vernazza. Check out Francamaria's at www.francamaria.com. In 2009 we stayed in room 1 with harbor view and very few steps.
Buon Viaggio!

Clare, Hi - just returned from CT 2 weeks ago - have 2 small kids, we stayed in Monterroso & loved it - only place of the 5 w/ a decent beach - sand, umbrellas, etc - very level, lots of hotel options in front of the beach or back up in the old town - lots of restaurants, lots of activity until late at night - Vernazza, Manorola or Corniglia super charming, for us just had less dining/ beach options and a lot more climbing. Have fun!
Bob