flymeaway...

Thx for the shout out!

Loved your report...

I'm so missing my Vernazza as it will be soon be a year since we were there.

I can't believe all the crowds you encounted in CT in mid-September! That would be a turn off. Yikes!!!

Lake Como sounds idyllic. I'm glad you had a fabulous trip.

Best wishes,
Adventureseeker

p.s. Did you meet Antonio in Vernazza?

We did not meet (or, that I'm aware of, even see) Antonio. I was so disappointed! There also wasn't any singing going on at Da Piva. All good reasons to return. :)

As my husband and I reflect back on this trip after several weeks, we both wish we had cut at least one night from our Lake Como time and added it to the Cinque Terre. Not that we didn't enjoy Lake Como, I just felt like we shortchanged the CT. I would have loved a day to return leisurely to Corniglia or Monterosso to try a restaurant there and just mosy around.

We think the CT would be a great place to visit with other couples. Can you tell I'm ready to go back already?!

Really good report..I am not sure why I missed it when you first posted!

I adored "84, Charing Cross Road!"

I loved all the details of your report. You really took us there.

CT is on our list of where to go---you just pushed it up a few clicks.

We spent 10 days on Lake Como, and I loved going back with you. We stayed at the Grand Tremezzo Hotel right next to Villa Carlotta, and it was one of our best trips. We'd go back in a minute.

Thanks for the post - this is where we want to go next!

flymeaway,

If you come back to Liguria, and I hope you do, I live here, but closer to Genova), don't take a train through Firenze or Pisa -- unless you want to see them, which I highly recommend! You will not improve the travel time to Liguria.

What I recommend is:

Fly to London, Paris, Madrid or Munich, and a flight to Genova. (They go several times a day.) From Genova, the airport bus will take you Principe Station, where you can proceed down the coast.

or

Fly to Malpensa but take the bus from the airport to Genova's Principe Station, then the train down the coast.

I would also recommend that you pick a Ligurian town outside le Cinque Terre to avoid the horrible crowds that can definitely ruin the experience. If you want to stay near le Cinque Terre, try Levanto (which is "next door"), but if you really want to have the beautifully romantic scenery of Liguria to yourself, do some google searches for Zoagli and Camogli, both on the train line and boat lines that would allow for visits to Cinque Terre.

Finally, I can't help but say that where I live in Liguria, I climb 270 steps to put out my garbage. When I go to the weekly market, I climb up 700 steps, either with a backpack full of vegetables or pulling a small handcart with same. You get used to it! (I'm a Californian, but I don't miss my car.) In fact, I've gotten so addicted to stair climbing that I now reguarly take a morning boat that goes to a rather remote point on the seaside, and a walk up a different staircase (about 40 minutes) just for fun and exercise.

Ligurians live longer than anybody else in Italy, and Italians have one of the highest longevity rates in Europe. Olive oil and staircases are good for you!

Here's a good picture of the path up the hill:

http://www.tef.lv/images/upload/coun..._Portofino.jpg

I've enjoyed reading your report. One thing to note is that there are water taxis in Lenno that will take you out to Villa Balbianello for 6E round trip,or one way for 5E.

Lovely report Flymeaway. We are planning a very similar trip for June next year and have a few questions. We need to catch the early hydrofoil from Bellagio to Varenna which has a stop on the way,the timetables however do not mention how long the trip takes, any idea? Also, do you have any tips for very inexpensive dining options in Bellagio. The internet place sounds fantastic. Now to Cinque Terre, staying at Vernazza also. Do you encounter many places with 300 plus steps along the trails in general. I know that there must be many ups and downs and Im Ok on paths but steps! I have to figure out how much training to start now. Thanks.