Anyone driven in Cinque Terre?
 

My husband and I will be driving from Rome, through Tuscany, and onto the Cinque Terre and points north. I have heard there is a new parking lot in Vernazza. Has anyone parked there? I have heard through the hotel that there is a guard on duty during the day, but not in the evening. Wondering abour rental car safety. Any suggestions getting/or staying there is appreciated.

Sure, several times but not to Vernazza by car. We prefer staying in Portovenere, but the easiest access with a car is to Monterosso.

I don't know if there's an even newer parking lot in Vernazza but there's one that was new for me (from being there in 1987) two years ago when I was last there. It's a fairly short distance above the town -- but still quite a way to walk -- so there's a shuttle bus to take you back and forth. There is someone there during the day to take money, etc. but I suspect what the hotel told you is right, that they are not there during the evening. Our rental car was parked there for two days without incident. Just the same, I would not leave any personal belongings in your car.

It's a very scenic drive down to Vernazza on a narrow winding road. Have fun!

We originally were going to keep our rental car in Vernazza, I believe at teh Hotel Villa Steno. Now we are dropping it off in La Spezia. Sorry I can't be more of a help, but check out that hotel to confirm whether or not they can offer you parking.

Also, does anyone know which car rental office is easier to drop off a car in La Spezia? I saw "downtown" or "city" locations on my request. We will be driving in from Lucca. Thanks! (Googs, sorry to jump in on your thread to ask a ?)!

We drove to Monterosso where we had booked ahead at Villa Steno which has parking spaces (unique in Cinque Terre). From Monterosso you can take the train, boat or hike to all the other towns. Villa Steno must be booked 'way ahead and you must ask for a parking spot when booking. Nice hotel, good breakfast buffet, very reasonable. Frequented by Rick Steves tours, as well as others. We saw the parking lot at Vernazza but didn't park there so don't know the particulars. For convenience and overall value, I don't think you can beat Villa Steno in Monterosso.

We drove down to our favorite place...vernazza and it was a highlight of the trip. It is not scary except you have to watch for the cars going up.. The scenery reminds me of the terraces in Germany in the 60s and the woods are wonderful after you get off the main highway too! The parking was just like pulloff in a park overlook when I was there a few years ago so it must be bigger now. it was by the clear stream that you follow downhill ...Loved watching the locals puttering in their groves,vineyards and gardens ..and the little huts.it is easy but be careful with your choice of shoes as I was looking around at eveything and tripped much to the amusement of the local women. We left nothing in the car except some food and souveniers in the trunk. People are around there coming and going .I felt confident it was safe but are we really anywhere? Monterosso is nice but more resorty. We stayed on the harbour in Vernazza and saw the night fishermen and the fish market with the flipping fish in the morning. Seeing the the colored umbrellas the rosy terracotta buildings ,the church,the boats and the sleeping cats,the glittering water... it was heaven and in May not crowded as they say it can be. Take your suit and swim in the harbor and sit and sun on the rock.Eat everywhere and it will be wonderful.You will never want to leave.Go for it dont miss it..if you can handle Rome this will be a piece of cake

I have driven to Vernazza twice and parked there. Last time was October 2003 but I did not notice a "new" car park. Like euroenvy said the drive is spectacular! we loved it. We arrived early enough to get a parking spot but they will find a spot for you if you have a reservation with a B&B there even if they are cramped. The attendant was there both times. We left most of our luggage concealed in the rental car and it was fine. It is a very remote area and very dark at night, I cant imagine anybody getting to it. I would drive in an instant. Remember when you are driving through La Spezia to hug the coastline all the way around the town keeping the water on your left and you wont get lost (we did first time). The signs for Cinque Terre are small green signs. Have fun, Vernazza is magical!

We are spending our last three nights in Vernazza before heading home out of Milan Malpensa with a 10:15 am flight. My plan is to leave Vernazza at 5am. How long or difficult is the walk from Vernazza train station to the car park? Any advice as to how long the drive is from Vernazza to Malpensa?

Hi this question just came up a couple of weeks ago. We found the walk pretty tough. We found it hard going because we were not used to the steep incline even though we both go to the gym every day. It took about 30 minutes (I think) maybe it was less but it feels like forever, the attendant told us it was 900 mtrs, but I have not figured that out yet. Just be aware the hill is steep all the way up, no level portions. I hope it will be light by that time. Maybe you should bring a flashlight?

I am going to be doing the same thing in October but staying my last night in Como. Mapquest I got a time of Vernazza to Lake Como, door to door, is 3 hours and 4 mins. I'll bet its around the 2 and half hour mark to Malpensa. The trip looks fairly easy - all highway and what is nice is you bypass Milan - Malpensa is a little more north. Whatever you do, go back through La Spezia. We thought the little back roads looked quicker on our way there once - added HOURS to our trip. Good luck with "kill hill" as we named it, and pack very, very light. Now that I have prepared you though, it probably wont seem that bad when you are doing it. Let us know and have a great time :)

Thank you, thank you!!! I know have the courage to drive to Vernazza.

Euroenvy, can you tell me how to get a hotel with a view of the harbour in Vernazza?

Hi Googs. I was recently looking for accomodation on the square - I stayed in Gianni Franzi before, and although it was lovely, I wanted to stay on the square for a change. I found this:

"Albergo Barbara
Your window in this pleasant pensione will open onto one of the most enchanting views along the Cinque Terre. On the harbor square, the inn is run by Giuseppe and his Swiss wife, Patricia. . The place is simply furnished but clean, with adequate corridor bathrooms. Each bedroom is also equipped with its own sink. Try for room 8, which offers a particularly stunning vista, or for one of the larger doubles with a view. Breakfast isn't served but there are cafes nearby.
Piazza Marconi 21, tel. & fax 0187-812-398)
[email protected]"

I tried to email them but they did not respond. Maybe you can call and snag Room 8! Do a search for them and you will see pictures - it looks nice.

No place I saw in Vernazza is in any way luxurious, but clean and very cute. I think luxurious would be totally out of place there. I hope you love it!

Driving in the CT is not widely encouraged. Most drive TO it, but then keep their cars parked in the local town parking areas/garages. All the parking areas I have seen have a parking booth near the entrance and a gate that lifts letting cars in and out. In Riomaggiore, for example, the guard is at the booth until ~ 12 midnight daily. Your rental car will be fine in Vernazza. These are all sleepy towns, not the 'big city' like Florence and Pisa nearby. The best route up from Rome is through La Spezia, then there is a local road that runs along the top of the ridge and goes down into each of the towns. Enjoy the CT, you will have a great time there!

Piazza Marconi may have some views, but they don't seems to have private bathrooms. A little deturant for a gal like me.

Has anyone had a room with a view in CT?

Hi Googs. You might want to check out the rooms that Franca Maria rents in Vernazza. We had room #2 which is very small, but was clean with a comfortable double bed, a small refrigerator, a private bathroom (w/shower), and a nice view out over the harborside piazza (there's a photo at the website.) The price was around 70 euros (two years ago in April.) Good luck!

http://www.francamaria.com

Googs: Also have a look at the Gianni Franzi site. http://www.giannifranzi.it
Its a bit of a hike up steps but worth it when you get there. I did stay here and the little terrace has a wonderful view (bring your wine from down town for the sunset). This place is spotless, about the best if not one of the best places in Vernazza. You have to fax Marisa your request and then she will fax you back requesting your credit card for deposit although she only takes cash. Did this already and very safe and fine. If you need any further info let me know.

Wow, there are more Vernazza hotels out there. So great to hear! Thank you all!

Capo, that web site is awesome! So many pics.

Aine, up the hill towards the parking lot would suit us fine. Did Gianni Franzi have private bathrooms?

Hi - Gianni Franzi actually owns a bar/restaurant in the town square, and their b&b/hotel is up steps from the square. It is about 100 steps though. Yes private bathrooms, renovated. The water pressure was not good in any place I stayed in Vernazza though. Honestly, these little things become minor issues when you arrive in Vernazza. I am a total bathroom (HAVE to have my tub everynight), hairdryer, flat hair iron kind of girl. But the beauty and atmosphere of Vernazza just takes over and enjoying it is all you were thinking of. I went out for breakfast next morning with very tossed hair, my sunglasses, a slick of lipgloss, threw on the wrinkly dress from the night before, something I would never do in a million years at home. My husband still teases me calling it my Italian Movie Star look! This is really a different kind of place, you will love it.

I'm going crazy with so many Vernazza options that I never new about. Thank you so much.

Aine, I'm picturing Gianni Franzi high up while Albergo Barbara and Franca Maria may be close to the water Is this true?

Has anyone ever been to Mike and Franca Castiglione's rooms?

Yes sorry it took so long... We stayed at the Barbara and it is four flights up but so handy to the square try calling. They speak English. we only paid like 23$ a few years ago.The people were nice and helpful. the room spartan but clean and quiet.It had a Linoleom floor and although you have your own sink you share the toilet and nice tub.Theres just a few rooms but its the view that's killer!if you get a place elsewhere up the hill you may have tons of steep steps. My legs couldnt take it. those building on the square take up most of the direct view,smell,sounds of the activites below IMO. the walk back up to the car is an incline but just a rest halfway up is enough. are you taking roller bags and/backpack? you could always just take A COMBINED BAG JUST DO THAT AT YOU LAST HOtEL not in the lot. this gave me so many memories of the old fashioned Italy! I threw open those shutters in the morming and let the breeze waft thru the white gauzy curtains and hung out the window and watched the ladies put out their laundry and the waiters set up the tables etc.don worry about the car as long a s you have insurance (Amex)

My room had two windows looking due west out to the ocean the other buildings face north or south and you would have to lean out the window to look directly at the ocean.I Looked at the other sites and it seem most of them have partial views with one window. I got a room for three people and it was bigger that the others so it might be worth it to reserve a triple.

I'm getting the idea that there are a lot of inclines in Vernazza. Thanks for the tips.

I've read, during my numerous days of Internet travel planning, that Franca Maria's place has thin walls. One traveler complained about the neighbors TV noise. Has anyone experienced this?

Hi again Googs, when and for how long are you going? If I had not visited Vernazza before I would worry about alot of the stuff you are worried about also, but really its not necessary. I promise you, all these little things will fade away once you are there. I did see another really lovely B&B but it is 15 minutes walk up the trail. If you are facing the village from the sea, its to the East, a little past the Tower Restaurant. It looks very nice, and definitely not noisy. I will try find the web address for you. There might always be some little quirk, (many steps to Gianni's, noise at Maria's, a shared bathroom at Barbara's) but you are actually staying in a real Italian village and that is the beauty of it. When we go there as visitors, we are just fitting in to their lives, catching a tiny slice of it, its wonderful! After all the sea air, the beautiful nature, the wonderful FRESH seafood and wine, and a 3-4 hour dinner you will sleep like a log!. I will try get you that website. A

Hi Googs. This one is a 15 minute walk up from Vernazza but would definitely not be noisy and looks very nice, just another option: http://www.eremosulmare.com

And have you looked at this website?
http://www.baranin.com

Best of luck!

This is the agency I used for reserving double rooms in Vernazza in early October - http://www.arbaspaa.com/apt_ver_english.htm

Eurotraveler, Did you stay at Apt #2 at http://www.arbaspaa.com/apt_ver_english.htm ?

Aine, You are absolutely right!

Googs - I have reserved 4 double rooms for our group of 8 in early Oct 2004. I have not stayed at Apt. #2. I am quite sure that it was a good review on this board that steered me towards Arbasbaa. Emails were answered promptly and I was given a cell # to call when I arrive in Vernazza.
Regards -eurotravler

I finally found a vacancy in Vernazza. My first three hotel choices were booked for my two weekdays in May. Very suprised, but now my dates are under one month.

Apartment #2 here I come.

Thank you all!

We stayed at Trattoria Gianni last fall (Sept); it was ok. I would urge you to open your suitcase (1, NOT 2) and take out every other item. When you've finished that, take out every item over 1 lb. It was a long way down from the train station and UP the stairs (to the top of) Trattoria Gianni. With 1100 lbs of suitcases. You'd think we would have known. Well...the locals were so amused, after the initial shock, that they, with wine in hand, followed us down to the hotel, and then, seeing where we were staying, began taking side bets, loudly in Italian, as to whether I'd succumb in the process. (This was day 6 of a 23 day trip (London, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Florence, Gubbio, Cortona, Siena, Montepulciano, Sorrento). Deb and I began to have words by day 7.) ....and then unpack again and eliminate anything brightly colored, metal or plastic. Hopefully you're down to about 12 items....might be lighht enough. I could go on....great number of amusing stories.

Ramblero, That is a riot! What a great visual. I am sure to pack light now.

From your trip last Sept. what was your favorite? I like Gubbio. Next month we plan to visit Siena and Montepulciano with the C.T.

That's impossible. We did enough planning (plus Deb had been to Florence & Siena before) so that literally every place we went to was one where I could have stayed for a month. I loved Gubbio, Cortona (have great "Under the Tuscan Sun" stories), Siena (site of one of 2 of the best dinners I've ever had in Europe, the other in Paris), Camogli/Portfino Peninsula, Montepulciano, Cinque Terre, Chianti Region - especially Rada in Chianti, Sorrento/Amalfi Coast and Capri.

I would be hard pressed to eliminate any of the places we were at.

Actually, our biggest disappointments: 1) Italian bread, 2) Italian wine(s) - particlarly Brunellos (we can get Italian wines here (CA) at prices equal to...or better than...what you'll pay in Italy) and the (identical) breakfasts served at the hotels. They must have a standard menu for tourist hotels..and have a bizarre concept of what tourists like to eat. Oh...and Italian road maps (which I believe ignore any town over 5000 people..or maybe because the cartographer's great, great grandmother was insulted by the printer's 11th cousin 5 times removed and have, in spite, removed all towns ever visited by said cousin. I dunno. But we'd be sailing through some little town and we'd say "Oh!!! THIS is kewl!!! Where ARE we????) it wouldn't be on the map.)

Anyway...just reading many of the posts on Fodor's makes me immediately slide into a wistful funque, wishing I were back in Italy. I WILL go back.....

I'm just back from driving in C.T.! The drive was so wonderful and a highlight of our trip. If you take a left turn just out of Vernazza (near the parking attendant), toward Monterosso, there is a very narrow winding secondary road. Beautiful drive when using caution and the locals are very friendly. Each one waved as I held back on areas where two cars couldn't pass without experience. This road wasn't as ominous as the #2 trail from Monterosso to Vernazza.

I did it! Thanks list!!

Googs: Good for you, its worth it isn't it despite what everyone says? Did you enjoy the Cinque Terre? Where did you visit in Tuscany that you liked?

Just a word from the flip side.

We drove from outside Florence to Monterosso 3 years ago for a day trip. We'd heard there was a large parking lot there, with no crowds like in La Spezia. The drive through the mountains once we'd left the main highway was a true nightmare for us.

It was nothing but hairpin curves and basically one lane around them. My husband drove, as the husband of the couple travelling with us literally had a panic attack - we thought he was having a heart attack. It really marred our visit, as the whole time our men kept looking up, searching for another way out (nope!).
On the way back up, we were nearly run off the side of the mountain by a tour bus barreling around a curve - it nearly hit us head on, and we had to back up down the mountain to allow it to complete the turn. It didn't help that my husband was just getting used to driving a manual shift again after driving an automatic for 20+ years.

Unfortunately, we now call it the Cinque Terror and our husbands have vowed never to return!