GregPCM

We plan on arriving in Chamonix on September 9 with the main goal of going over the mountain to Italy. Has anyone done this at this time of the year? Is it possible to bring your luggage and just keep right on going? Our next stop will be the Cinque Terre. We are traveling by train, so is there a bus on the other side that will bring you to the next town with a train station? Finally, what is the cost for this adventure?

Thank you all for your answers and happy travels.

Jan57

We were in Chamonix 3 years ago (in July) and it is beautiful! We took the Aiguille du Midi up to it's highest point to see Mt. Blanc, but did not take the 40 minute gondola ride over to Italy, but I hear you can take luggage with you. I do know that the gondolas over to Italy hold 4 people so I don't know how much room there would be for luggage.

From my '03 book, to go all the way up to Aiguille du Midi was 33 euros round trip or 28 euros one way.

The panoramic du Mont Blanc telecabine (gondola) to Hellbronner Pass (Italy)was 17 euros round trip or 10 euros one way. This leaves from Aiguille Du Midi.

Once you get to Hellbronner Pass, it was 22 Euros to take the lift down to La Palud and you can catch a bus (hourly) to Aosta. Aosta's train station has connections to anywhere in Italy.

These prices would obviously be higher now but this will give you an idea. You will want to check the times for Sept. also as lift hours will be shorter. I think the last departure to Hellbronner is about 14:00.

Enjoy the Cinque Terre! Visited there for the first time in 2002 and went back July of 2006. Very beautiful but lots of tourists. You should have less crowds in Sept. Good luck with your plans.

GregPCM

Thanks Jan57,

That's good information. We are looking forward to the trip. Do you have any recommendations for a good place to stay in the Cinque Terre?

Thanks again.

GregPCM

Jan57

Our first trip to the Cinque Terre in '02 was a day trip and we knew we had to return. In early July 2006 we spent 3 nights of our 3-week trip in Vernazza. Unfortunately, by the time I went to book accommodations in early May, most places were full. I would think that Sept. would still be a busy time but nothing like the summer months. We ended up booking a place we found in the Rick Steves' book called Nicolina's. We had a quad room for our family that overlooked Vernazza's main drag and paid 120 euros per night. It was very basic but the location was wonderful--right next door to the pharmacy with a bakery/focacceria a few steps from our door.

If you are planning on staying in Vernazza, Trattoria Gianni is right on the harbor and also has 23 rooms to rent. From what I read, most of the rooms have tiny balconies and grand views. www.giannifranzi.it

Riomaggiore and Manarola would be fine places to stay also but we really wanted to stay in Vernazza. Corniglia has places to stay also but it is the only one of the 5 villages that does not spill down to the water.

From past travel postings I have read, many people really like staying in Monterosso at Hotel Villa Steno. (their website is www.pasini.com)It sounds like a very nice place and has A/C. (Although believe it or not, we slept very well in July without a/c. It cooled down at night and was just great for sleeping.) This place books up very quickly and months ahead. I recall reading someone inquired in January for June and they were already full.

Also in Monterosso, and run by the same family that runs Villa Steno is Albergo Pasquale. Not sure what their website is but e-mail is: [email protected]

One of the places in Vernazza that I checked out and it was full was called Elisabetta's Villino Azzurro. I remember from the website that they had view terraces that looked amazing!
Their website is: www.elisabettacarro.it

Hope this help. Good luck and have fun!

GregPCM

Thanks again Jan, I appreciate your help. GregPCM