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HELP! Need to rent an apartment in ITALY (Liguria) this September

HELP! Need to rent an apartment in ITALY (Liguria) this September

Old May 1st, 2009, 06:43 AM
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HELP! Need to rent an apartment in ITALY (Liguria) this September

Hi Everyone,

In addition to VRBO.com, are there any great sites you would recommend for finding reasonable apartments to rent in Liguria (Italian Riviera) for this September?

The facts:

1) 6 adults (3 couples) visiting Cinque Terre, Santa Margherita, Camogli, Noli, Alassio, Finale Ligure, etc. this September who want to stay for one week by the sea (seaview and easy access to the water is essential);

2) We plan to hike, swim, eat tons of seafood (including cooking in our own kitchen) and do random daytrips by car to Piedmont, Tuscany, etc., but still want to be based in Liguria;

3) Towns we are considering to make our "home base": Levanto, Santa Margherita, Monterosso (but, of course, WE WOULD CERTAINLY CONSIDER "lesser-known" TOWNS as long as the requirement of being near the beautiful water is fulfilled; and

4) It would also be wonderful if a number of shops, restaurants and markets, etc. were WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE to where we are staying.

ANY IDEAS? This would be sometime in mid-to-late September. And half our group speaks fluent Italian, so it is not essential that we stay in some very-touristy center.

Some people recommend that we get to the town and just look for signs for rentals when we arrive, but since I have some older people in our group... I'm not sure I want to take a chance like that.

THANK YOU FOR ANY TIPS OR ADVICE YOU MAY HAVE regarding rentals. Cheers!
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Old May 1st, 2009, 09:23 AM
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Whoops! Somehow this thread got tagged with ANDORA... don't know what happened...

Topping for ideas.
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Old May 1st, 2009, 10:17 AM
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Look at reviews at slowtrav.com
I know that Megan who has a rental in Lerici also advertises there. The place looks great but not sure about 3 BR or not.
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Old May 1st, 2009, 10:31 AM
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Thank you, Bob! Grazie mille!
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Old May 1st, 2009, 10:37 AM
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We rented an apartment in Portovenere through Sea and Country Villas (seaandcountryvillas.com) and were very happy with them.

The apartment was great although only 2 bedrooms, but they have other properties. I just reviewed it on Slow Trav. Wonderful balcony with a view, great town with wonderful restaurants, a comfortable bus ride to La Spezia for more dining and shopping options and the big Saturday market, ferries to Portofino and the CT, and did I mention the views?

Lerici also looked really cute and we also liked the small port town of La Grazie but adored Portovenere.
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Old May 1st, 2009, 11:18 AM
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Here is the Lerici place--looks like 2 BR and sleeps 5. http://www.slowtrav.com/cl/detail.asp?l=2893
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Old May 1st, 2009, 02:09 PM
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Thanks, BlueSwimmer & Bob!

Blue: I will investigate Portovenere...
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Old May 30th, 2009, 04:46 AM
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I so agree with you on the difficulty of finding a Ligurian rental! I have been trying to find an apartment rental for 4 directly in Portovenere just to rest our heads as we tour and hike for 3 days. This is just a side trip from our 2 week rental in Luuca. I remember seeing signs posted on private homes but like yourself would prefer to plan ahead.
HELP truly is needed!
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Old May 30th, 2009, 05:39 AM
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As a general rule, you need to book rentals in popular places maybe a year or 9 months ahead of time. The more people to be housed the farther ahead you need to book.

But for now, I'd call an agency or 2 and ask them for help. Pick agencies that are recommended on Slow Travel. We had good experience with Cuendet and Doorways.

I don't know how old the older people in your group are. If they have trouble walking and climbing steps or steep streets, you'll need to pick your apartment and town very carefully.
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Old May 30th, 2009, 07:24 AM
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DLPIANO: I found a great apartment through this site:

www.bed-and-breakfast-in-italy.com/

Quick note: The site does not only list B&Bs, but apartments as well.

Also, I found their prices to be more reasonable than many of the other rental sites. Good luck!
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