Visiting my college exchange student daughter in Florence in October. We plan to spend 3 days in the Cinque Terre in addition to time in Florence and Rome. Travel will be by rail. Interests while in Cinque Terre are hiking between the villages and in the surrounding hills, photographing the towns, scenery, enjoying the food, wine and people. We are interested in clean and safe accomodation, but do not require luxury. We like active vacations, good food and drink and nice people. Looking for suggestions on itinerary, where to go, sights to see, activities, lodging etc; Am curious if any local attitudes will make it a problem in this area, or in Italy in general, to share a room with my 20 year old daughter, as we do in the States when we travel?

you may find some tips, or info to search further, on my report from CT in October 2007 on tripadvisor. As to question on roomshare, I'm positively sure noone would bother. You can prove you're family, right ?

Ricky,

It will be very easy to find a place to stay when when you arrive. There are many B&B's that are very confortable and inexpensive. I'm sure it is a little more expensive now with the weak dollar, but still reasonable. We like to stay in Monterosso for the beach and because it is at one end of the Cinque Terre. It makes it easy to hike from there and take the boat back.

Have fun,

Greg

I would highly recommend La Dolce Vita B&B in Levanto, which is a super quick train ride to the first northern town of the Cinque Terre. We stayed there and were so pleased, I can't even tell you how lovely the B&B and the town are. The owner of the B&B, Valeria, picked us up from the train station when we arrived. She and her mother bake all the cakes and sweets for the morning breakfast and they are heavenly. Our room was beautiful, with lovely antique furniture, a nice comfortable bed and ample bathroom. The town of Levanto is charming as well, there were many excellent seafood restaurants in town.

Hiking the Cinque Terre is touristy at some parts, but spectacular and totally worth it. We did it start to finish in about 8 hours, but we took our time, mosied along, took pictures, etc. The view is phenomenal, just breathtaking. Totally worth going if you are the outdoorsy type and enjoy hiking. Now worth going if you are not into hiking because it is, after all, quite a hike!

Here's a link to the B&B, we had the room called Magnolia. http://www.dolcevita-levanto.com/aboutus.php

As Greg mentioned you can just find a place when you arrive.

But if you are more comfortable knowing you have a room then I would try Gianni Franzi in Vernazza. http://www.giannifranzi.it/. The rooms are clean and basic and Vernazza is a great little town. YOU WILL LOVE STAYING THERE.

Here is a 2nd recommendation for Gianni Franzi. Just be ready to climb a lot of stairs. Their shady, private patio high on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the sea makes it totally worth it. Check out their website and their is an accurate picture of it.

www.giannifranzi.com

Whoops, that's www.giannifranzi.it

I recommend Hotel Pasquale in Monterrosso. Affordable and great location.