I know this subject is about beat to death, but I am having difficulty making a decision. We plan to go to Portofino in April and at the end of our trip spend two nights in CT. Originally I REALLY wanted to be in Vernazza and did get some good input from a couple of you about places to stay. Then I read some more on this site (I am into another topic here by my spelling of site I know). Now I am wondering if I should forego Vernazza and stay elsewhere. I need to decide now as time is moving on. Thanks for any help.

The Cinque Terre, Camogli, Rapallo, Sestri Levante, etc. can all be accessed as day trips from Portofino. The Riviera di Levante area is really all more or less the same. However, if you want to actually stay in one of the 5 villages, I would not recommend Vernazza. You will pay more for your lodging, meals, souvenirs there than in any of the other towns. True, it is the loveliest of the 5 villages, but its prices are higher than the other places. Why not consider Manarola, Riomaggiore, or Monterosso al mare? There are plenty of hotel options to choose from in those towns and you can go to Vernazza during the day. Check out www.cinqueterrenet.com for some hotel options.

If you do end up in the CT, try to take a 5-Terre boat down to Portovenere, Lerici, etc to see the area around the Golfo di Poeti. Also, a day trip into La Spezia and walk along Corso Cavour to the harbor front makes a nice outing. There are lots of nice shops and cafes along the way.

Thanks Huitres,
Thanks for your response. You seem to know the area well.
It is actually YOU who have made me reconsider Vernazza. However, you seem mostly to object because of cost. You say "it is the loveliest" so aside from cost is there any other reason not to stay? Some have mentioned crowds--well in May will it be really packed?
Does anyone else have any input here as to a positive for Vernazza?

Well, I know Vernazza as an insider, so to speak. My fiance and his family have lived in the Cinque Terre for generations (they built the castle in Riomaggiore). All the tourism to the area has come with mixed blessings: while it has provided income to improve and upgrade things, it is also a curse because of the floods of visitors that come along with it. However, for those in the tourism industry (like he is), it is a good thing and is used to the best advantage. While friends of his have restaurants in Vernazza (he told me they have all raised their prices to keep up with the increased tourists to the town), we never eat there because of the inflated costs and tourists. For that reason, we go instead to Manarola, Corniglia, even up the hill to Volastra (above Manarola).

Vernazza is considered the "Portofino" of the Cinque Terre among the residents and it is lovely, which is why it is certainly worth visiting. But I would just hate for you to pay more for something when you can experience the same thing in the other 4 villages. April is still non-touristy so you should be ok that month, will you be there in May still? In contrast to Portofino, since that place is always touristy, than you might be ok with Vernazza. I was just sharing the perspective of the locals that actually do live in the CT and how they feel the transformation of Vernazza has affected them.

Hi Huitres,
Thanks for additional input. We will only be there in April. Now I see why you are so partial to Riomaggiore. You are in love with a favorite son of the area. I will definitely try to do the boat to Portovenera area. I guess now I will just have to decide between Vernazza and Riomaggiore. Thanks for your help. May you have happiness always.

Thanks Mimi....I am not trying to push one town over the other, just want you to know if you were expecting quiet, sleepy little towns in the CT, that is a thing of the past! Like I said, if you'll have been in Portofino prior, you might be partial to Vernazza as there are vague similarities between the two. I love the entire area (as you can tell!) I am going back again in February and again (hopefully) for Easter at the end of March. I wish I could be there now......sigh. Buon viaggio!

Butting in here, I am considering a 9 day trip mid feb where ever is warmer than London, that has budget accomodation. Does CT fall in that range? Also considering Porto (Portugal) or Sardinia.
Thanks!

Hi init,
Don't know about this. But I was in London once in Feb expecting dreary, cold weather and it was mostly sunny with only a little rain and mild temps. You can never know about the weather.

Hi init: The Cinque Terre is still cold, windy, and rainy in February, although there are days of brilliant sunshine interspersed between. However, it is not consistent sunshine as it would be in later springtime. I would probably consider a more southerly locale for warmer temps (Portugal or Sardinia as you had suggested), or even Sicily.

huitres:

Thanks for all the great advice on this thread. You might want to check your calendar before you book your flight since Easter this year is mid-April. We'll be in CT April 20-22 and will be staying in Portovenere. Thankfully, we've got 24 days to continue our love affair with Italy.

Mimi, I have the following saved as a favorite site for my research in greater depth when we take a trip to that part of Italy. It may or may not be helpful and possibly and perhaps you have seen it before. Nevertheless, I found it of interest for our (future) purposes:

http://homepage.sunrise.ch/homepage/avong/cinque_terre/