Last question,
Has anyone stayed at either place? I am down to the final step. We are considering these two as one of our destinations in Cinque Terre. The Villa Rosa has two fabulous reviews on Tripadvisor and you may drive your care to the villa and park. It is outside of Camoglia.

My other choice is the Hotel Casmona with great views and rooms that are very hoteley in the town of Camoglia.

The age old question. B&B vs. Hotel

Thanks once more!

Don't know the Villa Rosa. We stayed at the Casmona some years back. Had a spacious (quad?) room with a wonderful, very large terrace overlooking the beach and the town's water frontage. Great views! This is the only place I've stayed where the reality was better than the photos on the web site. Not as good as, better!

The train station was just up a flight of stairs and down the street. We didn't have a car; however, there was a small parking lot a little ways beyond the train station. I don't know if you could park there.

In general the Ligurian coast is better visited traveling by boat and train. It's scenic because of the steep coastline. The roads either are inland or spend a lot of time going through tunnels.

Mimar, Thanks for the quick reply. I think we would leave the car at the train station if we stayed at the hotel.
Are you saying that your room had a private terrace The Villa Rosa has a Youtube film that looks so good!

But just realize that Camogli is not in or adjacent to the CT towns.

The Villa Rosa looks gorgeous; when I was in the town, I met a couple from the US who had stayed there a couple of times and raved about the place.

We stayed (last fall) at the Cenboio dei Dogi which is just a few steps from the Casmona. I loved Camogli!

Never mind! I was writing about Villa Rosmarino, not Villa Rosa! So ignore my comment above..sorry.

The Villa Rosa on Youtube is so beautiful. The music and pictures are so Bread and breakfasty. It makes me want to stay there even though I had not planned to stay outside of a town.

ekscrunchy. My DH and I have been going back and forth. He wants to stay in Levanto, but the place he has chosen just doesn't do it for me. I am so happy with all our travel choices, but I don't know about this choice.

I wanted to stay in Cinque Terre and he wants to have a car(just like a man) at all times.

I guess he thinks he can jump in the car and head to the Dolomites or something of that nature anytime he chooses.

Anyway, since we are such water people I thought the Hotel Casmona would be so nice for the mornings and evenings, but we do love the B&B's.

Could you please tell me something about Camogli that would sway me either way? What about restaurants? Anything would be so helpful as I cannot find very much on the computer about Camogli. Thanks,

Camogli is a picture perfect Riviera town. I can't compare it to Levanto because I've not been. But let's just say that I hope to return to Camogli someday. I guess what captivated me was the combination of the wonderful architecture, the proximity of the sea, and the picturesque-ness (??) of the town itself. In my opinion, it vies with the towns of the Amalfi coast for sheer beauty. While the setting of the AC towns may be more beautiful, the actual buildings do not have the fabulous painted facades common on the Ligurian coast.

And there are so many side trips one can take, by train, bus, or rental car.

We also spent 4 nights in Santa Margherita and when we were there, we did have a car. I thought the driving around there was very easy as long as you are aware that there is a lot of highway driving. But those tunnels are not scary at all, at least they were not to me.

Here is the report I wrote; look it over and let me know if you have any questions. I absolutely adored the food in that area, but I am almost certain that Levanto would have good places to eat, too.


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-much-else.cfm

ekscrunchy,

I must stop reading your trip report to tell you how wonderful it is. Camoglia is where we are headed. The food sounds wonderful... details to be worked out after our anniversary dinner. I'll get back to you on this trip, but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your help already.

Levanto is very nice, I am sure, but I gotta say, I just wasn't feelin it....and if I'm not feelin it I know that isn't the place for me, in this day and time anyway! Thanks again, gotta go for now.

Yes, 3 of the rooms at the Hotel Casmona have large private terraces. And, yes, Camogli is a spectacularly picturesque little town.

There's a monastery in Camogli (Monastero di San Prospero) and the monks produce Unguento Benedettino which is an "miraculous ointment" that is supposed to heal wounds. You might want to buy some to try. They also offer rooms with private bath and private parking, but I'm sure it wouldn't be as nice as the B&B and it has an 11pm curfew.

kybourbon,
We usually start so early in the day, y'all, by 11:00, I am usually numb. I can assure y'all, I certainly I certainly need the ointment. The Dr. today said, "No more Ibuprofen. EVER." I'm moving over to the tylenol/codine, never had that before. I'll just be packing me some of that ointment, for sure!


Mimar,
I looked athe Hotel Casmona and thought it looked wonderful, but DH has the "car issue" so we will be staying at the Villa Rosa outside of Camoglia. Patricia and I spoke by email and she seems as nice and down to earth as the Tripadvisor says. Hopefully, we can enjoy the terraces sometime, perhaps for a drink.

ekscrunchy,
We are from the south and are sweatin' bullets down here. I think it is so strange that everyone on this website always say they wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Whenever you see pictures on the different sites for Europe or anywhere, lots of men and women have on shorts, Tees, sandals.

I promise everybody in Italy and points beyond, for future reference, I will never wears shorts and tees off of the lake.

My momma always said, "Nothing screams white trash more than shorts, sleeveless blouses with white flabby upper arms." A nugget of truth is in that statement!

Y'all will be spared that beautiful site. I will swim in ocean though and certainly enjoy myself.
I am to short for long skirts and short skirts are to young for me....so that look is out.

Supposedly, no one wears Capris,(the old ladies shorts). I have my standard fall-spring travel uniform, which is actually what I wear at home, but this time of year has me in a quandry. Sweating isn't something I do very well nor do I really want to.

The temperatures in Florence are in the ninties now. I cannot imagine wearing leather shoes and long pants, even linen one in that weather. Well, I do wear that if I have to. To summer funerals!

Anyway, my question is what did you wear in early October and will I be surprized with cool weather.

Again, I am going through the trip report very carefully and will be printing it off to carry with me.

I love your reports and love that you have planned an intinerary that suits us so perfectly. I have already checked out some of the restaurant sites.

Any practical information, such as the beach shoes, is very welcomed. Thanks once more.

Forget the monks ointment. You can pick up this in Italy without a prescription. Several Fodorites rave about it.
http://www.voltarengel.com/

kybourbon,
Can you get the voltarengel in the states? I actually could use some right now!

Yes, but by prescription only and I'm not sure it's on the approved drug lists yet for insurance. It's only been available here about a year, but in Europe they've been using it for years.

Hi!!

I am away from home so missed the question yesterday.

I was in Camogli/SML the last week in September. Although we did go swimming in both the pool (SML) and the sea (Camogli), there was also some light rain one or two days. During the day I wore short sleeved shirts and ankle-length pants or jeans. (No shorts for me except around the house or nearby when at home)

At night, same with a light jacket or cotton sweater. The jacket is a must due to slight possibility of light showers. And yes, the beach shoes are a must if you plan to swim in the sea. Do not forget some kind of tote bag to take to the pool/beach.

I agree with your momma! Smart lady!

I have been in Florence in early October and had temps in the 80s! Maybe it is just hotter there than on the coast at that time of year.

Let me know if you want/would like any other advice. Thanks so much for the compliments!

Thank you so much for the information. We are getting so excited about going.
Guess I will be packing those "hand-me-down crocs" that someone left on my porch! So tacky, yet so functional!

I saw Italians wearing crocs last fall in Orvieto and Florence, even lime green ones.

kybourbon,
I am sure they will be fine for the beach. We use them around the lake when we are dealing with mud. Blond hair and all I'm sure I'll blend in great.
Even if it is full of tourist, I do love Orvieto.

Add me to the ekscrunchy fan club-loved your trip report to the Amalfi coast!

Bramsole - BTW, it's Camogli, not Camoglia. And it's one of my favorite little towns in Italy. Wish I were going there soon... Have a great time!