I am planning a trip to Cinque Terre in September, and am interested in very nice hotels - good view, comfortable rooms. Would consider locations in Monterosso, Sestri Levante, Portovenere or others that you would recommend as "special".

The Hotel Porta Roca in Monterosso is supposed to be very nice. Am staying there in July...check them out at www.cinqueterre.it (?)

I hope you enjoy the Cinque Terre as much I did. One recommendation and one warning. First, walk between the fourth and fifth towns (I don't remember the names for certian Reamagoire may be the fifth) anyway the walk there at sunset is absolutely breathtaking. I want to go back just thinking about it. The warning: you may read about the other paths between the towns. Be warned the path between the first two (I guess monterosso is the first, can be quite challenging. I am 23 and played college football. There were spots where I got winded and places I found treacherous. I hope you enjoy your trip. <BR> <BR>Luke

Luke, you must have played for North Carolina. Kidding, kidding! <BR> <BR>At 30, I got winded too a couple of times, but I think that trail is definitely worth it. And I think treacherous is a bit strong (even when parts were washed out when we went).

Chris - In terms of the 5 towns in the CinqueTerre, I think Porto Roca is possibly the only 4-star hotel there. <BR> <BR>We've stayed at the Villa Steno (www.pasini.com), which we found delightful, even though it's not luxurious, as the Porto Roca is. The Villa Steno has its own parking, many rooms have balconies with views over the town & the ocean, and there's a back door into the town that winds through the villagers' kitchen garden. The rooms were nice, and probably comfortable (though I don't really remember), though nothing unusual. It was the views and the back door path that made it special. The owners were very helpful and welcoming as well.

Brian, <BR> I got a good laugh at the barb aimed at the Tar Heels, I am a Devils fan and enjoyed the comment. Anyway, when I was there last spring, I really felt that parts of the path were treacherous. Now I don't mean fall over a cliff treacherous, but there were places over which I wouldn't want to take anyone unathletic or shaky. I guess what I was getting at is that it is definitely a hike and not a walk or a stroll. However, the walk between 4 and 5 is easy and beautiful.

I agree Luke, I wouldn't take my mom on that hike. It is somewhat of a workout. Unfortunately the trail you liked so much was closed (with barbed wire) when we were there in March, so I can't compare them. <BR> <BR>I'm also glad we can agree on our dislike of the Tar Heels. Unfortunately I've got to admit that I went to NCSU.