We are off to Italy in a week's time (me and my trusty companian who is also a bumby traveller). I have everything booked except for 3 nights at Cinque Terre. I've decided on Vernazza because I've heard its very nice but not too busy with tourists. But now wondering does anyone have accomodation recommendations? Our budget is up to 120 euros per night, and I always try for non smoking places. I had a slight preference for a place with cooking facilities because for the other 4.5 weeks we will be eating out. We are in our late 30s but reasonably fit so happy to climb to a good place.
Also wondering if you think it would be okay to just turn up at 4pm and ask around for accomodation - well attempt to (we don't speak any Italian YET) - we will be arriving mid May. Thanks in anticipation!!

I loved Vernazza in May and had a comfortable, clean room with cooking facilities overlooking the harbor from Franca Maria (www.francamaria.com). Nothing fancy. While spontenaity is attractive, I think it's a little dangerous and a waste of precious time to look for a room when you get there.

Best wishes!

Can't help, I'm afraid - but interested to know what 'bumby' means ?

Buon giorno - good morning, see, you do know some Italian now-buy the Rick Steve's Italian Phrase Book & Dictionary, it's one of the best I've seen for simple help w/words. We will be in Vernazza in June and we are staying at the Albergo(Hotel) Barbara - www.albergobarbara.it - and it is only 80E a night and that's for the room w/the best view, do inquire about that one-sorry don't know if you would have cooking abilities there, but the VIEW!! Buon Voyage,
Leslie

For what it's worth, Rick Steves writes in his guidebook that you can arrive without reservations at the Cinque Terre towns as long as it isn't July, August, weekend, or holiday. Like a poster above I prefer the security of having a reservation ahead of time.

I'll be making my first trip to Cinque Terre in June.

I booked a studio apartment in Manarola through www.baranin.com/studio.

I've heard that la mala is wonderful http://lamala.it/en/index.html.

I've also heard that apartments can be found through http://www.acasa5terre.it/

Thank you everyone for your sugestions. I agree la mala does look beautiful on the web. I've posted an enquiry to acasa5terre. It seems to also offer cooking classes which sounds great to me. I just use the word bumby to describe things I am hopeless at, like arranging travel accomodation.

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, bt ! I thought amybe it meant you are into some particular pastime of which I had not heard

Hello-

To tcs--

Just curious how the studio in Manorola worked out? I am looking for a place in September and that is available.

Thanks.

We were looking for places in CT that seemed clean and unfussy. These 2 places came recommended from a fodorite on this board and completely fit our style/budget....

We booked La Mala (Vernazza) immediately for our stay in October www.lamala.it after we fell in love with the photos on the website. (Tripadvisor also gave it rave reviews)

We were torn between Vernazza and Manarola. This place in Manarola was also recommended and looks fabulous and is priced right.
http://www.arpaiu.com/english.html

Good luck...happy hiking!

Adventureseeker.
We also are going in Oct. I have contacted both the places you have suggested but have not received a reply. Did you contact by phone or internet and how far in advance did you book. Also do you know if Oct is a busy season?

Hello Bumby,

I contacted both via email for inquiries and they responded timely.

Since it is August, my guess is that since these are smaller establishments, they may be on holiday.

I'm trying to book lodging in Florence and have received an auto reply from 2 hotels that they are on holiday until monthend.

From what I've researched, October is not so busy in the Cinque Terre, so I'd be optimistic that there may be availability.

Good luck.....

After many rejections from hotels in C.T., we are settling for a room in Vernazza which may be fine-Has anyone stayed at Camere Fontana Vecchia? Yimmie

I can recommend FrancaMaria with a major IF...IF you can confirm that you will have the larger room overlooking the piazza then it is a terrific place. The first night we were there he placed us in a literal shoebox of a room that felt like a dungeon...it was miniscule, dark and hot. The next day he moved us to the large room with a kitchenette and a large window that opened onto Piazza Marconi. The gentleman was very kind but if we had had to stay in the first room - it would easily have ruined our Vernazza experience.

Hello
can you look at google.com
"room in vernazza 5 terre"
or at tripadvisor vernazza forum
may be find what are you looking for
mino
from vernazza