Chris & Mark

Cinque Terre so in fashion ? We have been there, even now too crowded .... an alternative solution ? Hotel Nuova Riviera in S. Margherita Ligure (4 km from Portofino) highly recommended by Rick Steve' as also Fodors and Frommers for its large and bright rooms as also very good rates in comparison to the other expensive and unpersonal hotels. Here is the website : <BR>http://space.tin.it/viaggi/gsabin/ <BR>Make a reservation especially on high season !

and I'm

Very nice advertisement. How long have you worked there?

santachiara

Not even a good advertisement because I couldn't even log onto the web site, which I was looking for just out of curiousity. <BR>

Diane

I was able to log on and even bookmarked it for future. I stayed at the Hotel Laurin, which was nice and in a good location. My thanks to Rick Steves for bringing this part of Italy to my attention.

Bill

The real question is: what should one see and do in St. Margharetta and Portofino.

Diane

Bill, to answer your question, Santa Margherita is a small resort town. There's not much to do there really. Weekends are popular there with the Italians. Reservations for both hotels and restaurants are a good idea if you're there at that time. There are some hotels, restaurants, and shops. I spent some time in a pasta shop where the man making pasta was very pleasant and he let me take his picture while making the pasta. <BR> <BR>We were there over a weekend, and I remember a large market set-up in the square. Some people find a spot on the small beach. There is a harbor filled with boats. This is an area for relaxation -- no museums and tourist attractions. Portofino is a 15-minute boat ride or 10-minute bus ride away. There's not much to do in Portofino either. As Rick would say, "This is a good place to take a vacation from your vacation." (Hope I got that right, Steve.) <BR> <BR>It was about an hour by train to the Cinque Terre, where we walked between some of the towns. I'm not in the best shape for this kind of thing, so I found some of it easy and pleasant, and some of it difficult. Enjoyable, nonetheless. I would do it again. <BR> <BR>It's been two and a half years since I was there, so this advice may or may not be valid, but there was an outstanding restaurant in Santa Margherita called Da Baicin. It was recommended by some people on other board, and it was so good we went there for dinner twice. Very reasonable, too. <BR> <BR>

Cameron

I loved Santa Margherita and Portofino. I went there in '92 on my first backpacking trip and it was an excellent "vacation away from your vacation". So beautiful and charming - you don't need to plan anything else other than going over to Portofino and taking the train on quick day trips to the Cinque Terre. I loved hearing someone mention Trattoria Da Biacin. I have travelled quite a bit and have never had better pesto in my life - try it with the green beans and new potatoes. We existed on it for a week. Enjoy!

kay

Hi, <BR>I will be staying in S.Margherita Ligure for 4 or 5 nights, and eventually make it to Verona, but can anyone recommend day trips from S.margherita? Is it a good spot to make it home base? How 'bout driving to Tuscany. should I shorten my stay in S.Margherita and move to Tuscany before heading for Verona?? <BR> <BR>Thank you!!!