Cinque Terre intinerary and accommodation help please
Dec 30th, 2009, 09:32 PM
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Cinque Terre intinerary and accommodation help please
After spending 7 nights in Florence we are planning on 4 nights 5 days in the Cinque Terre region- before travelling onto Milan ( have to fly out of Milan).
Have trawled Fodors pages but seem more confused than ever as to where to base ourselves. Like the idea of the beach in Monterosso ( swim maybe?) the quaintness of Vernazza, or even the peace(?) of Maranola or Levanto. Nightlife not important.
Would like to include a daytrip to Genoa ( leaving luggage at Genoa train station) on our last day before catching train to Milan.
We are a couple, travelling by train, with an accom budget around 100 Euros per night but could stretch it further for the right place.
Traveling May 2010-
Hiking is not our top priority- looking to experience beautiful scenery ( ok there will be some walking) and Italian ambience.
Usually prefer apartment accom for independence but open to B&B.
Characteristic with a terrace sea view would be perfect!
Like everyone...searching for that special experience!
Any advice on where to stay and logical order for sightseeing very appreciated. Thanks
Have trawled Fodors pages but seem more confused than ever as to where to base ourselves. Like the idea of the beach in Monterosso ( swim maybe?) the quaintness of Vernazza, or even the peace(?) of Maranola or Levanto. Nightlife not important.
Would like to include a daytrip to Genoa ( leaving luggage at Genoa train station) on our last day before catching train to Milan.
We are a couple, travelling by train, with an accom budget around 100 Euros per night but could stretch it further for the right place.
Traveling May 2010-
Hiking is not our top priority- looking to experience beautiful scenery ( ok there will be some walking) and Italian ambience.
Usually prefer apartment accom for independence but open to B&B.
Characteristic with a terrace sea view would be perfect!
Like everyone...searching for that special experience!
Any advice on where to stay and logical order for sightseeing very appreciated. Thanks
Dec 31st, 2009, 12:29 AM
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Hi lavender,
I have been trying to make a similar decision - just too many choices and I think I am doing too much reading as it just confuses me. Our budget is the same as yours too. Anyway have a look at this site might be a start and give you some ideas. They appear to be a company that manages lots of accommodation in the CT.
www.arbaspaa.com/apartments_cinque_terre.aspx
This one is at the top of my list (at present!)in Manarola.
http://ariadimare.info/sitoeng.html
No kitchen but you do have a fridge and check out the terrace, that looks like a winner! His brother owns a very popular restaurant next door called Trattoria Billy.
I am sure someone will chime in here with with much more expertise than me.
Best wishes for your trip.
Maudie
I have been trying to make a similar decision - just too many choices and I think I am doing too much reading as it just confuses me. Our budget is the same as yours too. Anyway have a look at this site might be a start and give you some ideas. They appear to be a company that manages lots of accommodation in the CT.
www.arbaspaa.com/apartments_cinque_terre.aspx
This one is at the top of my list (at present!)in Manarola.
http://ariadimare.info/sitoeng.html
No kitchen but you do have a fridge and check out the terrace, that looks like a winner! His brother owns a very popular restaurant next door called Trattoria Billy.
I am sure someone will chime in here with with much more expertise than me.
Best wishes for your trip.
Maudie
Dec 31st, 2009, 09:18 AM
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If hiking is not your priority and you want to experience an Italian ambience and visit Genova, I suggest you locate yourself somewhere other than the Cinque Terre towns, where tourists outnumber Italians 18-to-1, and it's a longer trip to Genova. You can day trip to le Cinque Terre.
If you want to stay close to the CT, check out apartment listings for Moneglia. If you would like to be closer to Genova, check out Camogli, Bogliasco and Sori. You will find, by and large, that Ligurian town layouts only rarely allow for terraces with sea views, although sometimes you can track them down. In most towns, enjoyment of the sea and sunsets takes place at cafes with pretty views and other public places and piazze. Private terraces most often (not always, but often) have views of other rooftops or gardens and hills.
http://www.homelidays.co.uk/EN-Holid...oneglia_r3.asp
http://www.homelidays.co.uk/EN-Holid...camogli_r3.asp
http://www.homelidays.co.uk/EN-Holid...gliasco_r3.asp
If you want to stay close to the CT, check out apartment listings for Moneglia. If you would like to be closer to Genova, check out Camogli, Bogliasco and Sori. You will find, by and large, that Ligurian town layouts only rarely allow for terraces with sea views, although sometimes you can track them down. In most towns, enjoyment of the sea and sunsets takes place at cafes with pretty views and other public places and piazze. Private terraces most often (not always, but often) have views of other rooftops or gardens and hills.
http://www.homelidays.co.uk/EN-Holid...oneglia_r3.asp
http://www.homelidays.co.uk/EN-Holid...camogli_r3.asp
http://www.homelidays.co.uk/EN-Holid...gliasco_r3.asp
Dec 31st, 2009, 05:56 PM
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Thanks Maudie and stepsbeyond. Looked at the Camogli website now I really like the sound of Camogli too!! However I believe train time from Camogli to first CT town could be an hour and ferries may not run due to rough seas.
Do you think we could successfully split the nights between the CT and Camogli- ie 2 nights each place? Would probably have to forgo apartment for hotel/ B&B in that case.
Do you think we could successfully split the nights between the CT and Camogli- ie 2 nights each place? Would probably have to forgo apartment for hotel/ B&B in that case.
Dec 31st, 2009, 08:08 PM
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we loved basing ourselves in levanto...its a real town...lots of places to stay....for me 3 nites would do it however... especially if you are not going to hike....we just took the boat from one end to the other and got off at different towns...there is the train also...
Dec 31st, 2009, 09:12 PM
#6
Unless you're traveling in June-July-August, staying in one of the 5 towns is, imo, the whole point of being in CT...whether you're into hiking or not! Day-tripping from outside the towns can only begin to give you a sense of the real life and beauty of the towns. Staying several nights; having the opportunity to walk the Via Dell'Amore at night; wandering the streets early in the morning when the fishermen are unloading their boats; eating breakfast in a little cafe with other "Cinqueterreans" -- things like that are, for me, some of the greatest joys of this spectacular spot on earth.
We have stayed in Manarola twice, in October 2007 and 2008. It is one of the quietest of the 5 towns (Rick Steves' people don't flock to Manarola!) Both times, we had scheduled only two nights, and ended up extending our stays by several nights. And we cannot wait to go back!
We have stayed in Manarola twice, in October 2007 and 2008. It is one of the quietest of the 5 towns (Rick Steves' people don't flock to Manarola!) Both times, we had scheduled only two nights, and ended up extending our stays by several nights. And we cannot wait to go back!
Jan 1st, 2010, 12:22 AM
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CT is wonderful. Stay in one of the villages. Four of us stayed in Riomaggoire in a beautiful small apartment overlooking the harbour in 2003. It was Affittacamere "Edi" with a double room, living room with two singles, kitchen, bathroom and a terrace with a wonderful harbour view email [email protected]
This year we are taking ourselves two of our children and spouses and four grandchildren and will return to the same apartments in September
The walks are fabulous; the scenery stunning; the food delicious; etc etc
This year we are taking ourselves two of our children and spouses and four grandchildren and will return to the same apartments in September
The walks are fabulous; the scenery stunning; the food delicious; etc etc
Jan 1st, 2010, 08:23 AM
#9
Maudie, in 2007 we stayed in Hotel Marina Piccola.
http://www.hotelmarinapiccola.com/
In 2008, we stayed in Ca'd'Andrean.
http://www.cadandrean.it/englishindex.htm
The MP is closer to the water, so you can (if you're sure to request) have a room overlooking the ocean, which is pretty special.
The Ca' is quieter, less in the hub of things (though Manarola isn't exactly NYC no matter where you stay!)
Next time we'll stay in the Ca or in La Torretta, which is also lovely, though a teensy weensy bit more of a hike if you're using public transportation (as we do.)
http://www.torrettas.com/
http://www.hotelmarinapiccola.com/
In 2008, we stayed in Ca'd'Andrean.
http://www.cadandrean.it/englishindex.htm
The MP is closer to the water, so you can (if you're sure to request) have a room overlooking the ocean, which is pretty special.
The Ca' is quieter, less in the hub of things (though Manarola isn't exactly NYC no matter where you stay!)
Next time we'll stay in the Ca or in La Torretta, which is also lovely, though a teensy weensy bit more of a hike if you're using public transportation (as we do.)
http://www.torrettas.com/
Jan 1st, 2010, 09:16 AM
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We stayed at La Torretta last May for 3 nights and absolutely loved it. The people that run it are wonderful and the room rates comes with a great breakfast and a neverending appetizer and wine happy hour every evening. We ate at Trattoria Billie's two of the nights and it was delicious. There is a wonderful walk above the town of Manarola that twists and turns through family vegetable plots and vineyards. I would really love to go back some day with our kids.
Jan 1st, 2010, 07:15 PM
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Thanks Lucie, I will look into all those suggestions. I have heard great things about Trattoria Billies. We will be using public transport so I will take that into consideration but the more walking we do the more pasta & gelati we can eat! But happy hour sounds great too as well as that walk, I am sure we are going to love Manarola - it is going to be our "holiday" within our holiday - time out to smell the roses!
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Jan 1st, 2010, 07:24 PM
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You are going to love Manarola..I stayed there with my daughter and Grandson for 8 days.We took a day trip to Portofino one day and and another day to Pisa.We just loved walking the trails, swimmings, exploring the other villages and just enjoy the view which is magnificent.
Jan 1st, 2010, 10:42 PM
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La Torretta looks wonderful but a bit more than we were budgeting on, though if breakfast and happy hour is included then that could sway me.
I am still drawn to the aria di mare apartment that I posted above because of the terrace area and the fact we can just chill out and do our own thing.
Thanks so much for all your wonderful ideas - apologies to Lavender for hi-jacking her thread.
I am still drawn to the aria di mare apartment that I posted above because of the terrace area and the fact we can just chill out and do our own thing.
Thanks so much for all your wonderful ideas - apologies to Lavender for hi-jacking her thread.
Jan 2nd, 2010, 03:36 AM
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lavender, you wrote:
"Do you think we could successfully split the nights between the CT and Camogli- ie 2 nights each place? Would probably have to forgo apartment for hotel/ B&B in that case."
Yes, but I also don't think an hour's train ride for people who aren't into hiking is too much to take to see le Cinque Terre. LucieV and I have a different take on the five towns (especially the graffitti-covered via dell'Amore!) and I have to ask where else in Liguria she has based or even visited. Most people who post about le Cinque Terre have never stayed outside of it. Although all of the towns along the coast are resort towns, catering to seaside pleasures, the culture of the ones dominate by Italians, day and night, is really much different from the tourist preserves of le Cinque Terre.
I have enjoyed some visits to le Cinque Terre, and indeed super-steep Manarola is generally shunned by tourists uninterested in climbing. (There is a bus, however). And the church there is very pretty. But people who want to swim, experience some more profoundly unchanged coastal life on the Mediterranean, explore Genova and have great food and scenery, there are superior options in my view that don't preclude a visit to le Cinque Terre in daylight, taking a boat trip there to see what all the gushing is about, but returning to a base filled with Italians and often better food, and more convenient for getting up early the next day and enjoy the art and architecture of Genova, Nervi and Chiavari, or the easy going fun and swimming of Sestri Levante.
"Do you think we could successfully split the nights between the CT and Camogli- ie 2 nights each place? Would probably have to forgo apartment for hotel/ B&B in that case."
Yes, but I also don't think an hour's train ride for people who aren't into hiking is too much to take to see le Cinque Terre. LucieV and I have a different take on the five towns (especially the graffitti-covered via dell'Amore!) and I have to ask where else in Liguria she has based or even visited. Most people who post about le Cinque Terre have never stayed outside of it. Although all of the towns along the coast are resort towns, catering to seaside pleasures, the culture of the ones dominate by Italians, day and night, is really much different from the tourist preserves of le Cinque Terre.
I have enjoyed some visits to le Cinque Terre, and indeed super-steep Manarola is generally shunned by tourists uninterested in climbing. (There is a bus, however). And the church there is very pretty. But people who want to swim, experience some more profoundly unchanged coastal life on the Mediterranean, explore Genova and have great food and scenery, there are superior options in my view that don't preclude a visit to le Cinque Terre in daylight, taking a boat trip there to see what all the gushing is about, but returning to a base filled with Italians and often better food, and more convenient for getting up early the next day and enjoy the art and architecture of Genova, Nervi and Chiavari, or the easy going fun and swimming of Sestri Levante.
Jan 2nd, 2010, 10:23 AM
#17
ACKtewally, steps, I have been traveling to Italy for almost 40 years; I have visited so many places I can't even remember them all, including the hilltop-village-of-no-touristy-importance where my relatives live. I speak Italian, and I have always been very comfortable being with Italians.
I have no ax to grind regarding staying in CT v. staying outside...it's just that, in my very, very humble opinion, daytripping into CT does not give one the sense of the place that one gets by staying (living there!) for a few days. Obviously, the charms of any place (or any person, for that matter!) may be apparent for some and elusive for others. C'est la vie, n'est-ce pas?!
Interestingly, despite our many trips to Italy, we had never been to CT before 2006...partly because we were influenced by the many people (including my own sister) who consider it a touristy, overhyped place. Thankfully, we took our son's advice and made time for CT in 2006...and we so fell in love with the place that we rearranged our trip to spend 3 more days than we had planned. And we returned 2 years later, finding it not only as wonderful as we'd remembered, but even more so.
Re: the graffiti on Via del Amore...none of the graffiti in Europe (or even in the US!) bothers me. Besides, when walking the path, my eyes are on the view, not on the walls!
My point: we all have different experiences in places, and we all experience places differently (trite, I know, but true.) I assume that when people inquire about a place to visit, they want to hear from those who thoroughly enjoyed the place as much as from those who felt otherwise!
I have no ax to grind regarding staying in CT v. staying outside...it's just that, in my very, very humble opinion, daytripping into CT does not give one the sense of the place that one gets by staying (living there!) for a few days. Obviously, the charms of any place (or any person, for that matter!) may be apparent for some and elusive for others. C'est la vie, n'est-ce pas?!
Interestingly, despite our many trips to Italy, we had never been to CT before 2006...partly because we were influenced by the many people (including my own sister) who consider it a touristy, overhyped place. Thankfully, we took our son's advice and made time for CT in 2006...and we so fell in love with the place that we rearranged our trip to spend 3 more days than we had planned. And we returned 2 years later, finding it not only as wonderful as we'd remembered, but even more so.
Re: the graffiti on Via del Amore...none of the graffiti in Europe (or even in the US!) bothers me. Besides, when walking the path, my eyes are on the view, not on the walls!
My point: we all have different experiences in places, and we all experience places differently (trite, I know, but true.) I assume that when people inquire about a place to visit, they want to hear from those who thoroughly enjoyed the place as much as from those who felt otherwise!
Jan 2nd, 2010, 03:13 PM
#19
HT, your first line is misinformation par excellence!
CT is so much more than hiking...one need not even set foot on a trail to enjoy that spectacular spot on earth!
Your second line is true: SML is lovely, indeed.
CT is so much more than hiking...one need not even set foot on a trail to enjoy that spectacular spot on earth!
Your second line is true: SML is lovely, indeed.
Jan 2nd, 2010, 05:50 PM
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I was thinking of SML as well.
Main concern about staying in the CT is arriving and leaving with luggage. Sounds like the local train service isn't really set up for luggage.
So you may be reduced to hiring an expensive car service, especially if you start or end your trip at the CT and have to fly in or fly out of Genoa or Pisa and find ground transportation to the CT.
So my thinking was to fly into GOA, then get to the train station and go to somewhere like SML, where I'd stay 3 days, maybe 4 to visit the CT and places like Portofino.
Main concern about staying in the CT is arriving and leaving with luggage. Sounds like the local train service isn't really set up for luggage.
So you may be reduced to hiring an expensive car service, especially if you start or end your trip at the CT and have to fly in or fly out of Genoa or Pisa and find ground transportation to the CT.
So my thinking was to fly into GOA, then get to the train station and go to somewhere like SML, where I'd stay 3 days, maybe 4 to visit the CT and places like Portofino.
