I'm trying to decide where to stay in Cinque Terre for two nights in early Sept. <BR> <BR>We're looking at Edi's apts. in Riomaggiore and at the Baranin Bed and Breakfast in Manarola. <BR> <BR>We also considered Corniglia but are a little daunted by the 300+ steps to town. <BR> <BR>Any advice would be appreciated!

I stayed at the hotel Barbara right on the harbor in Vernazza it was 45.oo and had its own sink and shared a bathtub with a few rooms---I wouldnt stay anywhere else now! What a view!!! there are a least 4 great places to eat there and the hotel owner said Vernazza and one other town had the spring fed river from the hills--that's why the rest of the towns are so dry. the station is so close to the town and an easy hop to the others went swimming in the harbor--We rode to Cornigia(at the bottom of the town) and hiked to the two southernmost towns--The next day we rode to Monterosso--bigger town--would have liked to hike to Corniglia--When we drove into Vernazza we could see that there had been a fire on the hills there toward Monterosso

You're right to pass on staying at Corniglia --- although it is an easy hike between Corniglia and Manarola, I'd go with option of accommadations at one of the other CT villages. Corniglia is a lovely little spot --- but yeah, it's a hike up those steps from the train station. And also, you don't have the advantage of boat access from this town. In all of the other four CT villages, you can take the boat to get to the others or even to Portovenere. <BR> <BR>As to the two places that you've mentioned, I haven't stayed at either so don't have personal experience. Only drawback to Riomaggiore (and this may no longer be true) was that when I was @ Cinque Terre last month (May-01), they still hadn't re-opened the Via Del Amore (pathway between Riomaggiore & Manarola). Now perhaps more recent visitors could advise if they've completed repairs & reopened that stretch of the trail. <BR> <BR>FYI--all other CT pathways between other villages WERE open.

We stayed in Riomaggiore in October. We rented a studio apartment from Edi. I requested a view of the sea. We had a darling apartment with a balcony. It was a hike to the top floor of the building but worth the effort...We had alittle balcony with a table and chairs...spent endless hours watching the sea and the street below. Edi required a deposit in Lira which I sent and everything was in order when we arrived....I give Edi a good recommendation. Maggie

Me again, The path between Manarola and Riomaggiore was mostly open the week we were there. If there is a hard rain it washes rocks down onto the trail and they will close it.The train is an easy 5 min. ride if the path is closed. Also, checkout Portovenere...accessible via boat. Maggie

I agree with poster zztop. We stayed in Riomaggiore in april and I think it was the same apartment. It was very nice and the balcony was great....it is a hike up but well worth it.

I just left the Cinque Terre on 6/6. The Via Del Amore was still closed. We stayed in Monterosso, which was ok. However; in hindsight, I would have stayed in Manarola. The ferry to Portovenere leaves from there, making it easy to take in that beautiful photographer's paradise while doing the CT. A friend used and recommended Marina Picolla for lodging. <BR> Don't miss Santa Margherita, Portofino and San Fructosso while in the area. Be ready to take loads of photos.

Jim <BR>Where is San Fructosso? I've done some searches trying to find information about it and come up with nothing. Thanks for your help and info. <BR> <BR>Modeen

Modeen, San Fructosso is the next ferry stop from Portofino when leaving from Santa Margherita. It is a small and charming cove with an abbey, beach tower and neat little places to eat and drink. It will take no more than a couple hours to see and enjoy it. Take the ferry from Santa Margherita.

It's actually San Fruttuoso.

I was in CT same time as Jim and his info about the trail is correct. However, there were no ferries to and from Manarola; we tried to take one from Riomaggiore to Manarola, but it wasn't running. To get to Portovenere, you had to leave from Riomaggiore. The ferry also leaves there for Vernazza and Monterosso.

Here's more praise for Edi. We stayed in one of his apartments in Riomaggiore in November. It was wonderful - two bedrooms, nice kitchen, private bath and a balcony overlooking the harbor, plus a parking spot for our car. Edi was very sweet and accommodating. <BR> <BR>Riomaggiore was our favorite of the five towns. We thought it was very quaint, more so than Manarola.

Do you have an address (phone, e-mail, etc) for Edi's apartments? Does anyone recall about how much they cost? Thanks.

I think we paid about U.S.$60 per night at Edi's. (Divided among four people, only $15 per person!!) Granted, it was late November. I couldn't tell you what it would be in the high season. But when I get home from work this evening, I will check in my copy of Let's Go Italy, where we first heard of Edi. I will also check in my book for Edi's phone number.

I did a Google search and came up with the following: <BR> <BR>Affittacamere Vesigna Edi <BR>Via Colombo, 111 <BR>I-19017 - Riomaggiore - Cinque Terre (SP) <BR>Tel.: (+39) 0187/920325 <BR>Fax: (+39) 0187/920325 <BR>E-mail: [email protected]

I know this forum topic was active many years ago, but I happened to find it because I too cannot decide between Riomaggiore and Manarola. Ironically, the two hotels I'm debating between are the exact ones in the original post (an Edi apartment on the marina in Riomaggiore and Baranin in Manarola).

I was just wondering if any one had any additional suggestions on Riomaggiore vs. Manarola. I'm curious where the original author ended up staying and if it was a good choice. Which place has a harder walk to the hotel?

Also, with apartments where you have to check in at a central location, does that mean you have to trek back to the office to return the keys? I'm just thinking that Edi might require a lot of back and forth treking between the marina and the office.

Thanks in advance!

This is funny cl_hnl -- I have finally gotten back to reaffirming details for our September trip to Italy, and we have reservations at two hotels in Cinque Terre - one, Ca' de Baran in Manarola, and the other one of the apartmenti e Camere Edi -- Apartment l'Agave, which is a studio in the marina of Riomaggiore with a sea view.

I'm leaning toward the latter.

I have been to Cinqueterre 3 times in the last 5 years, and am going again next month. Riomaggiore is charming, as are each of the 5 towns; but Manarola is my favorite place to stay. In the evenings and mornings, you have the place to yourself. Riomaggiore is where the cruise ships dump out their loads of tourists each morning.