reedpaints

Hi everyone --
Well, it's getting close -- only a month and a few days. Down to the nitty gritty now and trying to choose which town to find a place to stay in Cinque Terre.

Which is the most charming?

I am not big on nightlife and neither are those I'm travelling with so lot's of evening activity isn't important. In fact, this is the "restful" period of our trip so a charming, lovely little town sounds great.

Any suggestions on which to choose? And how about your favorite pensione or B&B in the town choose???

Thank you so much!

Patrick

I see two sides to this issue. Many people post and rave about the couple of very nice hotels/resorts in Monterossa. They certainly are the only places to my knowledge in the actual "five lands" that offer any sort of "luxury". But if I wanted luxury, I wouldn't be going to the 5 Terre.

I prefer the much less touristy other four towns, particularly the middle three: Vernazza, Corniglia, and Manarolo. I've only stayed at Manarola in the little Picolo Marina Hotel. I loved the fact that there was NOTHING to do at night, but walk the quiet streets (and I do mean quiet). That's what I remember about the Cinque Terre -- the feeling of staying in a tiny, real town that just happened to be plunked down in the middle of a beautiful setting.
Sorry I don't have other housing recommendations. There are a few more in Vernazza, but almost none at all to my knowledge in Corniglia -- which makes it somehow the most attractive of all.

GrandCru

We stayed in Corniglia back in the fall of 98. It was very nice and quiet after dark (mostly locals), and being the middle town, we hiked north one day and south the next. I don't remember any hotels, but coming from the train station up the hill we stopped in the first restaurant and asked about a room. The waiter led us to an amazing, huge studio apartment in town (no view) that cost us approx $50 per night (approx same exchange rate as today). I assume there are other, similar accomodations. The only thing about Corniglia is that every time you get back to town you have to climb all of those stairs. Would definitely stay there again.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Sounds like Manarola is what you're looking for. As we wanted a bit more choices at night, we chose Monterosso and loved it, but thought that Manarola was the most charming and vowed to stay there when we returned. Felt Vernazza was too overwhelmed with Rick Steves tourists.

reedpaints

Thank you so much for your help everyone.... Any suggestions for a great place to stay in Manarola?

Again, much appreciated...

plumplum

We stayed at Casa Capellini in Manarola 2 years ago. They have an apartment, with fridge/stove, on upper level and a gorgeous view from the large balcony. I believe there are 2 other rooms with private bath. It's nothing luxurious but we loved it and the peace and quiet.

capo

Hi reedpaints. Everyone has their favorite Cinque Terre town. Mine is Vernazza because, regardless of the tourists -- American and Italian -- I find it to be the most picturesque of the five towns and it's the only one with a charming harborside piazza.

The southern three -- Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore -- are also all fine choices, but none of them have the harborside piazza that Vernazza does.

kismetchimera

I rented an apt. for 8 days in Manarola last summer.
The village is tiny, quaint, charming, picturesque and most of all is very quiet at night..Only the locals and the resident tourists are there..

We had a very nice apt.with a balcony, it was nice in the evening, after our walk, to sit there and enjoy a good glass of wine..

kismetchimera

ttt for reedpaints