Cinque Terre help Please

conandrob240

Apr 16, 2009 at 5:17pm Edited

Headed to Germany and Italy for work next week. Have 4 days after workshops in Milan and was thinking about heading to Cinque Terre. I can find train info on -line but can't get a good sense for 1) which of the 5 towns is the best to stay in and 2) what hotels look nice.

We won't have a car and I'll be with my mother who is in fairly good health but won't be able to walk miles and miles. Views are nice and we'd also like to be able to sit on the beach (even if it is still a little to cold)

Thanks!

cody

Apr 16, 2009 at 5:27pm Edited

Can't help with Cinque Terre, but if you like a small Ligurian town with lovely views and food, you might want to check out Camogli. There's a lovely seaside hotel called Cenobio dei dogi and the trains from Florence run directly into the town (you have a nice view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa as you go around one of the turns). It's very scenic. There's an old church, a hillside chapel dedicated to all of the ships lost at sea (most of the men up through the 1890s were sailors for various merchant fleets). Delicious focaccia, pesto, picturesque harbor and typical Ligurian hillside buildings, in a rainbow of colors. There is an accessible beach (with those little round pebbles, not sand, like you find in this part of the Mediterranean) as well.

I've visited Camogli a few times, and I love it......sorry I can't help with Cinque Terre, but they are in the same province and and scenery is quite similar. Camogli doesn't have the hiking trail from town to town, though.

Here's a link to their website (you can view it in English if you click on the upper right-hand corner)
http://www.cenobio.it/

campbell29

Apr 16, 2009 at 5:43pm

I loved Cinque Terra - one of the most beautiful places in Italy. Its been about 8 years since I was there, so I don't remember the name of where I stayed, but it was right in the harbor in Monterossa. We ate at a small restaurant in Monterossa, and had the best paella ever. There was also a very good light white wine which is made locally. We took the trail from Monterosso to Vernazzo and then the train to Rio Maggiore, where I think there is a nice castle. Then we took the train back to Monterossa. I think they ran about every hour. It was laid back and wonderful, you should definitely go.

richiekess

Apr 16, 2009 at 6:09pm

Oh gosh, you will love Cinque Terre. Vernazza is splendid. Wait til you try the Ligurian food. They have their own sort of Pesto. Great marinated anchovies. Wonderful local white wine.

Monterosso is also freaking great. I am sorry to say that I didn't stay there overnight, so I can't help with that.

The main piazza of Vernazza is so much fun. If it were a little later in the spring, you could jump in the sea for a swim!

conandrob240

Apr 16, 2009 at 6:12pm

I may jump in the sea anyway oh oh

I found a hotel that looks quite nice- we are going to spend 2 days and 2 nts there so I am very excited. We are also going to doa full day trip to Lake Como from Milan.

bettina

Apr 18, 2009 at 4:20pm

We stayed in Monterosso for two nights - it was heavenly. One leg of the trail is very easy and paved, so your mother should be able to do it (I think it is the first leg which begins at Vernazza - oh dear my memory for these things is terrible), but there's a nice little train to take you along any of the difficult legs. There is a gorgeous beach there for sitting on and you won't have to face the tremendous crowds we faced in the summer. The cliffs down to the turquoise water is an unbelievable sight. You will have an amazing time!

wendy

Apr 18, 2009 at 4:42pm

cody!!!! I too have been to Camogli and fell in love with it. This was back in 1984 and am waiting to return. I remember everything about the town and also remember taking a bus to Portofino since the boat to that town wasn't running because of the winds that day. So after getting off the bus (having left our car in Camogli) at Portofino we then hiked to San Fruitoso (spelling?) and had the most amazing hike and amazing fish meal at this empty seemlingly prehistoric town. Can't wait to get back to that area one of these days.

ibeme

Apr 18, 2009 at 7:45pm

Vernazza is known to the best town to stay in. This time of year, you can just show up and find a place to stay. Just ask to take a look around at the rooms before committing. The place we stayed in was pretty nice up the hill a bit with private terrace and phenomenal view and light. The proprietor also owned a restaurant on the far right as you walk into the main little square there; it'll be real obvious when you get there. The walking consists of tons of steps, so be prepared especially if you're with your mom. Also, the one thing we strobly disliked about staying in any of the villages was the train rumbling through ALL NIGHT. It felt like it was in your room and disrupted out sleep severely. If I had it to do over again, I would have stayed in some place like the little town recommended above, close enough to drive down and hike around, have a few meals, get a sense of the place and be on our way. I can't remember the name of the proprietor that owned the place we stayed in, but I think it was Guiliano. Guy about 40, tall, not too dark complection. Enjoy!

conandrob240

Apr 19, 2009 at 1:17pm

That's what I thought about time of year also. So, far every single place I have found is SOLD OUT! Must be something special going on there for our dates April 30- May 2. I am going to see if I can adjust our dates a day or two if that helps. We may stay in one of the outer towns as mentioned but we really hoped to NOT rent a car. Advice?

daveturnley

Apr 20, 2009 at 7:32am

My wife and I loved Cinque Terre We stayed for a week in a little inn up the hill in Monterosso. It's probably too steep a climb for your mother. You definitely do not need a car. There are two sections to the town: old and new. The old definitely has more charm, but they are so close that it doesn't really matter which part you stay in. There are numerous hotels because it's the biggest of the five towns (I think).

Miki Restaurant is very good, though definitely has a large tourist clientele. Good local red wine pulled from casks. Make reservations if you want to go for dinner.

I can't add more to what has already been said. It's gorgeous and relaxing and the people are incredibly friendly. I'd be happy to answer other questions.

Master_Plvmber1

Apr 20, 2009 at 7:51am Edited

Monterosso is really the only town with anything going on that will keep you entertained for a multi-day/night trip.
The other towns are beautiful but you can walk through them each in a matter of hours.
The local wines are pigato, one simply called Cinqueterre and a sweet wine called Sciachettr

conandrob240

Apr 20, 2009 at 8:42am

We are going to do 2 nts. 1 full day exploring the 5 towns (via boat and train I think. We'll try the trail for the 2 towns closest together but I don't think Mom can handle the longer hikes). I thought we might also try Portofino for 1/2 day if the boats /trains seem easy and maybe even Pisa by train for a 1/2 day.

PeggyC

Apr 20, 2009 at 9:13am

I haven't stayed in either Vernazza or Monterosso, but Monterosso is substantially bigger than Vernazza and has more to do, more restaurants, hotels, etc. Vernazza is adorable, but tiny! Worth a day trip, but you wouldn't find much to do there for more than that. I've also done a day trip to Camogli, which is lovely and a lot of fun to walk around. The region is great for hiking, but definitely too much for an elderly person in a lot of ways. Uneven cobblestone streets, lots of hills... so be careful with your planning for her. Portofino is gorgeous but extremely upscale, with mostly high-end designer shops. I actually prefer Portovenere, which is more fun to walk around and more affordable to boot. Good restaurants there, and a nice church and castle at the top of the town to visit -- awesome views. You can get there by road or by sea from Monterosso.

daveturnley

Apr 20, 2009 at 10:54am

You may be trying to do too much. Taking the boat to the other towns is fun, but make sure you get to immerse yourself in a couple of these places. They are all gorgeous, but if you don't hit them all, you won't regret it. If you take the time to chill out, you will love it.

Like Peggy said, Portofino is beautiful but waaaaayyyy upscale. Insanely huge yachts crammed into a small port. I think we took a bus there.

PeggyC

Apr 20, 2009 at 11:31am

I've been to Portofino twice, and both times thought it was utterly gorgeous but not a place where I really needed to spend time once I had viewed it from a few different angles. If your mission in life is to find the nearest Prada store, you'll be in great shape there, however. I'm more into scenery, history, culture, gelato and focaccia. :wink:

conandrob240

Apr 20, 2009 at 11:39am

Okay, I'll think we'll limit our day then to just a few of the 5 towns- no need to hit all 5 it sounds like especially if we aren't going to walk the trails between. I found a hotel in Monterossa that looks decent so I think we'll go with that one. If the weather is nice, just stitting by the sea sound slovely too. I fugured we could do Pisa (1 hr by train) and then just train back from there (4 hrs) to Milan. It is 3 1/2 hrs from Monterossa back to Milan so that might be the way to see Pisa.

Vacanculo

Apr 20, 2009 at 11:58am

Pisa is good for an hour or 2 you can stop in Lucca on the way to Milan to eat...
Monterosso is great but Riomagigore is more quaint. Grab a lemoncello or 6 an relax...YOU ARE IN ITALY!

PeggyC

Apr 21, 2009 at 5:56am

Posted By: VacanculoGrab a lemoncello or 6 an relax...YOU ARE IN ITALY!

This is a very good point. Don't rush around trying to make sure you don't miss anything... you will have a much better time if you take the time to stop and smell the grappa. By all means see the things that are most important to you, but don't try to squeeze EVERYTHING into one trip. You will end up exhausted and won't enjoy it nearly as much.

When my husband and I were in Ireland, we crammed in far too much, and he ended up tired, stressed, and cranky from WAY too much driving, and I was tired from too much walking and sightseeing. In retrospect, I wish we had left out just a couple of things and headed for the pub and a few pints while listening to the Irish music instead.

boomie

Jan 28, 2016 at 7:06am

MOL is a jewel! I am planning a lovely seaside trip to the cinque terre and so glad to see this thread. Any other tips or don't miss ideas welcome.

boomie

Jan 28, 2016 at 7:07am

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/travel/treasures-of-the-cinque-terre.html

conandrob240

Jan 28, 2016 at 7:09am

I'll try to go back and see if I can find any menus, receipts to tell you about where we stayed, ate, shopped. I want to go back. Maybe next summer!

deborahg

Jan 28, 2016 at 7:18am

I lived in Lerici for two years -- it's a small town outside La Spezia, and very near to the Cinque Terre. Both Lerici and Portovenere are scenic places to stay and have easy access to the five towns. The towns themeselves are also gorgeous. It can be rainy and wet -- in the 40s and 50s -- at this time of year. But it rarely rains all day, and the scenery is still unbelievable.