We will be touring Italy in late Sept thru the first week in October. Will the weather still be warm enough for swimming in Cinque Terre this time of year? I've heard that this can be a rainy time also - is this a concern? <BR>Also, we will probably be driving into the area, and then will walk or take the train to our destination vilage (we have'nt decided which one yet). Is there parking near the train station? How safe is it to leave a car here overnight?

We were in Monterosso last year Oct 1st and 2nd - it poured almost the entire time but it wasn't really cold. We now wished we had dipped into the sea inspite of the weather. On the positive side - no crowds. The walk from monterosso to the next town over was beautiful; we are not hikers by any stretch of the imagination but we took our time and loved it. There were cars in Monterosso; I don't know for sure but I don't think there would be a problem w/safety. Have fun. Nancy

Were in Cinque Terre area for a couple of days mid-October last year. Rained one day and cloudy the next, but not cold. Cinque Terre is not blessed with lots of beautiful beaches, as some people think.

I was in Cinque Terre two years ago on Oct. 1. Bright, sunny, glorious weather, between 75 and 85 degrees during the day. About 10 degrees cooler at night. We stayed in Vernazza and hiked to Monterosso. In both places people were sunning on the "beaches," but no one was in the water. I waded in, and it was pretty chilly. As the previous poster noted, this is not an area for beaches, which are only a small spit of sand in the case of Vernazza and a rocky strip in the case of Monterosso.

Doug:<BR><BR>Maybe so --- I guess what really makes a difference is what you consider "warm enough for swimming". If you're from Florida, you'll find the waters alot cooler; OR if you're used to the west coast &amp; chilly temps of the Pacific, then you'll find the waters refreshingly pleasant.<BR><BR>Also, here's some info that I found about CT from Wine Spectator:<BR><BR>[October—2000]<BR>http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Spectator/Feature/bestofcinqueterre.html<BR><BR>WHEN TO VISIT<BR><BR>Cinque Terre is most attractive from March through May when the broom is in flower, the days are fresh and the hiking is pleasant. Summer months tend to be very crowded. It's still warm enough in September and October to enjoy the occasional swim, to hike and to see the grape harvest. Because of its mild winters, Cinque Terre is also agreeable during the cooler months of the year. <BR>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>WHERE TO STAY<BR><BR>HOTEL CA' D'ANDREAN<BR><BR>Address: Famiglia Rollandi, Via A. Discovolo 101, 19010 Manarola <BR>Telephone: 39-0187-920040<BR>Fax: 39-0187-920452 <BR>Rooms: 10 <BR>Rates: $50 single, $65 double per night, with breakfast <BR><BR>A five-minute walk from the Manarola village center, this small, charming old villa is tucked away in a pretty garden shaded by lemon trees. Family run, it's simple, but quiet and clean, with good-sized rooms, including some with terraces. Each room has a private bathroom. The hotel is closed during the month of November. <BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>LOCANDA MARINA PICCOLA<BR><BR>Address: 19010 Manarola <BR>Telephone: 39-0187-920103 <BR>Fax: 39-0187-920966 <BR>E-mail: [email protected] <BR>Rooms: 10 <BR>Rates: $50 single, $65 double per night <BR><BR>It's not much to look at, and service is minimal, but the hotel is comfortable, clean and convenient. Some might even call it charming. Many of the rooms are furnished with antiques and iron bed-frames. Bathrooms are small but well-equipped. The hotel is right in the center of Manarola, so there's plenty to see and do. It also has its own restaurant, offering average food but extremely pleasant outdoor seating. <BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>

and more info from that same website:<BR><BR><BR>HOTEL PORTO ROCA<BR><BR>Address: Via Corone 1, 19016 Monterosso al Mare <BR>Telephone: 39-0187-817-502 <BR>Fax: 39-0187-817-692 <BR>E-mail: [email protected] <BR>Web site: www.portoroca.it <BR>Rooms: 43 Rates $190 single, $215 double per night, with breakfast <BR><BR>Porto Roca is the only serious luxury hotel in the entire area of Cinque Terre. It has beautiful, shaded grounds with gorgeous views of the sea and the town of Monterosso; its ambience recalls 1960s hip, Monte Carlostyle. Rooms are small and have tiny bathrooms, but most have a sea view, and each on the third floor includes a large balcony. There's a very good restaurant at the hotel that offers terrace dining. Guests may use the private beach, a five-minute walk away. The hotel has a taxi service from the train station for guests because it's a 15-minute, uphill walk. <BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>HOTEL SUISSE BELLEVUE<BR><BR>Address: Localit Minali, 19016 Monterosso al Mare <BR>Telephone: 39-0187-818065 <BR>Fax: 39-0187-818325 <BR>Rooms: 30 <BR>Rates: $75 single, $90 double per night, with breakfast <BR><BR>A serene oasis just one mile above the bustling harbor town of Monterosso, this hotel is set in a garden with magnificent views. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with large, private bathrooms. All sea-facing rooms have good views. The hotel is family run and is open from April to October. It has its own parking lot. <BR><BR>========================================== =======<BR>Monterosso is the "beachiest" of the five villages; as you know it's very easy to get from one town to the next, but if you're seeking the water as part of your vacation, then it may be the place to stay.<BR><BR>I was in Italy during the latter part of October; and did go to CT for a day trip. Weather was lovely &amp; did see some folks on the beach and in the water. I did go down to water's edge to stick a toe in; for my tastes, it was too chilly for a full immersion.

We Were in CT two years ago at the exact time you will be. Weather was perfect, beach was fairly crowded (not a great beach). Weather was ideal for the hiking.

Late Sept/early Oct is nice time to visit most any part of Italy. Might run into a few raindrops, but usually wetter weather is during latter part of Oct & more so in November for the Cinque Terre. Weather will be PERFECT for walking between the towns.