goingtoitalia

We are planning a late Sept/early October 2006 trip to Northern Italy. We plan on spending a couple of days in the Cinque Terre, and a friend gave me the name of a B&B in Manarola to check out. It is La Torretta. I've been to their website, but was wondering if anyone has stayed there and might be able to tell me a bit about it.

Thank you!

HelenJ

We stayed at La Torretta for five nights early June this year and loved it.

We stayed in a studio apartment and while we didn't have a balcony, we did have floor to ceiling windows which opened right up with a raining across, and a view of the ocean, the village and the hills. I was concered that the furnishings looked "too modern" on the web site - as I wanted more charming - but I was delighted with the apt. The only 'little' thing was the "tablecloth" type towels - not what we are used to - not bery absorbent. But hey, when in Italy.......

We did not have breakfast at La Torretta - it did look fairly basic - but OK. We much preferred having coffee and pastries at one of several cafes in the village. La Torretta is practically right at the top of the village, so it is a strenuous walk up from the harbour or the station - but there is the green bus which you can catch - though not sure of the timetable.

Gabriel in Reception is very pleasant and helpful.

We loved the Cinque Terrue - and loved each of the towns though I would not stay in Monterosso or Corniglia. We were in Vernazza on a really busy day and did not like it all - but then we went back and it was a lot quieter and a lot more appealing. Manarola and Riomaggiore were our favourites.

If you get a chance to talk with the local - do! The highlight of our 4 weeks travelling was chatting with a farmer who was heading along the trail to tend his grape vines at Manarola. He was explaining and showing us how they had rebuilt a section of the stone terrace walls (much pointing and hand language as he did not speak much English and our Italian is just about non-existent) and we then had a lesson on the diseases of grape vines. We were on cloud nine as he headed further up the hill and we continued along the trail. We felt so special that he had taken the time to speak with us.

Then, after dinner that night we were standing in the piazza by the bell tower when we saw 'our friend' - he invited us to come into his home and he was showing us his house garden and his pride and joy - the marble that he had used throughout his home - the kitchen benches, bathroom floor and a tiny spiral staircase.

Then... we went across the lane and down a passageway by the underground river into his wine cellar where we partook of a couple of glasses of wine that had been pressed from his grapes on an ancient wine press that was in the cellar and then stored in amazing huge bottles/vats that were encased in twisted cane. This was where his grandfather and his father before him has also made their wine from the same vines on the hillside.

The next morning we thought we must have imagined it - but as we were leaving La Torretta, pulling our suitcases through the piazza, we saw him again. He came over saying "my friends, my friends". How extra special did we feel!!!!

So sorry to get so carried away - but once I started writing I just couldn't stop.

goingtoitalia

Helen, thank you for the information, and the story. I only hope we can have a moment like that when we are there!

goingtoitalia

ttt

rickandpat

My sister and I stayed here for 2 nights the second week of April. We enjoyed the B&B and the view. The walk up was no problem, but the town is pretty small and quiet (in April). I'd definitely stay there again, but Riomaggiore looked good too.

goingtoitalia

thank you for replying. we'll be there in late september/early october, but we won't mind if it's quiet. we're not overly interested in large and bustling, and that will be towards the end of our stay, so we'll probably need small and quiet by then!

goingtoitalia

I've heard there are church bells in Manarola that ring every 15 minutes, even thru the night. Can anyone tell me if that's true, and if so was it difficult to sleep thru that?

Thanks!