I am planning a honeymoon to cinque terre....... <BR> <BR>My fiance stayed there when she was in college (10 years ago) and just loved it. Could anyone provide any helpful suggestions as to where to stay in this area. I have been told that hotels there are notorious for cancelling reservations and I want to make sure that we stay at reputable hotels. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!!! <BR> <BR>Thanks

I haven't been there but I've started collecting websites and info for a future trip <BR> <BR>http://home.sunrise.ch/avong/ <BR>cinque_terre/ <BR>www.cinqueterreonline.com <BR> <BR>Here's another piece of advice I picked up from this forum <BR>In any Italian rail station you can buy at a newsstand the FS "In Treno" which is the official train timetable that the train conductors use for information. "In Treno" timetable is handy for the Cinque Terre which is not covered by the Thomas Cook Timetable, an otherwise very useful guide. <BR>

My son (e-mail address on request) would say Monterosso, staying in that lovely hilltop hotel with the spectacular view of the Med. <BR> <BR>I would say Vernazza (train from Levanto--they run every couple of hours), staying at Trattoria Gianni's rooms next to the Castello. If it available, try to get Monica's apartment on top of the hill that overlooks the harbor. <BR> <BR>Take the train or boat to Monterosso where pesto was invented. Train or boat to Riomaggiore and hike the "Via dell' Amore--Lovers' Walk" to Manarola. Boat or train back to Vernazza, or hike the rest of the coastal trail that runs all the way to Monterosso. <BR> <BR>Cinque Terre--you made a great choice!

Haven't been. Planning on going this spring. I have found a lot of helpful information via RickSteves.com and Rick Steves' The Best of Europe that have helped plan this segment of the trip in great detail. Lots of helpful peices of advice.

Hotel Villa Steno in Monterosso. All the rooms have balconies with a great view. Very reasonably priced and spotless. www.pasini.com Monterosso is the first of the five towns and while a small quaint town, has great cafes and the nicest beach.

this certainly won't change your honeymoon plans, but, I've read recent reports about a dangerous landslide on the sheer paths , and they have closed the walking paths until the spring (Eastertime, I think I read). You may want to look into that. Congratulation on your upcoming nuptials.

we were just there in September for our honeymoon!! it's gorgeous. our favorite photos are from there - we already have some blown up to 8x10 and framed. <BR>we didn't stay in one of the five towns but chose to stay in Santa Margherita liguria and take the train out for a day to hike. if you want to stay local - which would be gorgeous then the other posts would be more helpful. But, i would also recommend what we did b/c our town was a little larger so it had more to see and do. it's also right on the water with beaches - and a quick bus ride along the cliffs to portofino. <BR>Anyway, congratulations on your engagement and have a fabulous time!! <BR>SP

Hi, Phil, we were there in late October. Several of the paths were closed so if you are into hiking, there are numerous websites for the Cinque Terre (Elaine gave you a couple)and I would check them out. Our favorite village was Riomaggiore - I think a lot of people have stayed there at a place called Edi's - you might do a search. As "Sweet Pea"(must be a honeymoon phrase) mentioned, Santa Margherita is great - we stayed there for 3 nights - easy train trip to the Cinque Terre and there are ferries between the villages as well. We enjoyed a restaurant called "Da Alfredo" in Santa Margherita, ask for Roberto and tell him the American who liked Porcini referred you!! There is a lot of information if you do some searches for Cinque Terre and also the individual villages. Also take the bus to Portofino and go up to the castle - great views. We did not think the trip to the lighthouse was worth it. Have lunch at one of the terraces outside and be sure to try pesto while you are in Liguria. - I think you will love the area - if you want more info, e-mail me directly. Ciao

I went to the Cinque Terre in June and enjoyed it as a relaxing end of my vacation. We stayed 2 nights in Riomaggiore and 2 nights in Monterosso. In Riomaggiore, we stayed with Edi apartments (http://www.wel.it/Welcome/Liguria/Ci.../index.uk.html) in a perfectly fine room with a private bath for approx US$40-45/night for 2. We were only in Riomaggiore for a full day before moving on. The village was beseiged by backpacking college students who were just out of school for the summer. At the time (first week in June), Monterosso was fairly empty with mostly Italian families. We enjoyed our hotel -- the Pasquale (http://www.pasini.com/pasquale_en.html) -- which was approx US$90 w/breakfast for 2. The hotel was very nice and our window opened onto the water. We crashed on the beach for most of the 3 days, but also had fun renting a paddleboat and peddling around for a few hours. Also, Monterosso has quite a few restaurants and outdoor spots for sipping wine until midnight. One of our favorite restaurants was La Tortuga (5 mins. up the hill from the Pasquale). I posted comments on this restaurant before ... if you reserve a table outside, you can watch the sun go down and the lights come on in the other villages. VERY relaxing and delicious meals. <BR> <BR>We only hiked through the other villages, but I've read and heard many raves about Vernazza and (hopefully!) may stay there next time. <BR> <BR>If you have any questions that I might be able to help with, just drop me an email. <BR> <BR>Here are just a few more sites for the area (I tried to pick non-commercial sites): <BR>http://home.sunrise.ch/avong/cinque_...e_villages.htm <BR>http://www.5terre.com/eng/html/frame00.htm <BR>http://www.cinqueterre.it/home_e.htm

Hello, again! Since I was daydreaming about Italy and trip planning, I ran across a new article on the Cinque Terre (highlighting Vernazza) on Rick Steves' site: http://www.ricksteves.com/travnews/01-01/vernazza.htm <BR> <BR>Thought that might help a bit.

I too have stayed in the cinque terre and found it very easy to stay in apartments during the off season. These apartments were rented on the spot, not in the US. Does anyone know of any ways to rent apartments in this fashion while I am in provence this coming week? I am a chef and dream of cooking in Provence. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for all of your very helpful responses!!

I will recommend (once again!) the Hotel Porto Roca in Monterosso. It's probably the "lovely hilltop hotel with the spectacular view" that Jerry mentioned. I can't imagine a more wonderful honeymoon hotel! For info try www.cinqueterre.it <BR> <BR>

For the accomodation in the Cinque Terre area visit www.ciatraveler.com <BR>www.villamargherita.net or www.cinqueterreonline.com <BR> <BR>Ciao <BR>Thomas

I do think you have made a good choice..but the Cinque Terre has become very very popular in recent years. It is nothing like it was 10 years ago. I have been to the Cinque Terre many times since - due to the tours I guide -and the change is incredible and is not for the better. The crowds can be quite bad. The reason the paths have eroded is due to the heavy foot traffic. Now you can hear the beat of disco music in some places. I am sure in a few years Liz Taylor will buy a villa here - joking but just making a point what the future is going to be for this region. Many locals have sold out to wealty real estate agents and and left. I am sorry to say that the Cinque Terre is as backdoor as Disneyland - it is one of the most visited regions in Italy. Nevertheless...go you will have a great time and enjoy while it still enchants. Sincerely Mike at www.footloosetravel.com.

I concur with Mike. Rick was my hero but the CT is no longer " backdoor" It is still worth your time but I am afraid you missed the real ambiance by about ten years. Both Levanto and my favorite, Portovenere, are viable options to use as your base camp.

Hello, <BR> <BR>We stayed in Monterosso at a place we'd recommend as a great choice for *very* reasonable, clean accommodations and food - excellent value. <BR> <BR>Read our non-commercial travelogue for full details: <BR> <BR>http://www.thetravelzine.com/italy3.htm#cinque <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR>Don and Linda <BR>Toronto, Canada

Ok....... <BR> <BR>After getting over the airfare shock, I am now ready to book my travel. <BR> <BR>We plan to stay our first night in Milan at the hotel Principe di Savoia. <BR> <BR>After that, we will travel to cinque terre and probably stay five nights at the Hotel Porto Roca in Monterosso...... <BR> <BR>Then, we would like to explore and stay somewhere else.........perhaps vernazza at Trattoria Gianni.........I have heard good things about this town and hotel. <BR> <BR>Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks!!