My fiance and I are planning a trip to Italy which includes 3 days in Cinque Terre, however there are concerns about there being enough to do there! What, other than hiking, is there to do in Cinque Terre? What are the best things about it, best places to go, best places to stay? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks

As usual, that depends on what you like to do. The hiking in incredible and can take most of your time. My husband and I stayed in Montarosso in a hotel on the beach..can't remember the name. We got there early in the morning and just found a nice room and checked in. We got a room with a balcony and got to sleep with the sounds of waves lapping up on the beach. There is a beach to relax on, good restaurants, boat trips, swimming, etc. If you are looking for great shopping and nightlife, this is not the place. It is more of a small, charming, beautiful place to hang out and relax. If you do not stay in Montarosso, there is even less choices in the way of hotels, restaurants, etc. but that is why some people go to the other towns. <BR> <BR>

I think that 3 days is too long in the area unless you really just want time to relax. I did the Cinque Terre hike in one day using Santa Margherita as a base. It would have been nice to stay overnight though in that area. <BR> <BR>If you have a free day, you may want to take a train to Santa Margherita Liguria and then the local bus to Portofino which is very pretty too. <BR>Ellen

My husband and I spent two days in Monterossa last spring. It was the middle of a two week trip and we found it so relaxing and romantic. The views are amazing. We had great food & wine both nights. Overall, it is just a very laid back town - nothing manmade to see really. The ocean is beautiful, walking along the cliffs at night holding hands...I want to go back! Anyway, I think our hotel was called the Baia - or something like that. Email me if you want the hotel number, I'll dig it up.

Rebecca--Check out www.cinqueterre.it. There is information about things to do as well as hotels and restaurants. We stayed at the Porto Roca for three days last fall at the end of our trip. It was beautiful, relaxing, and great fun. <BR>

Rebecca, Audrey has reminded me that the Baia is the name of the hotel we stayed in. Ask for a room with a view/balcony. I think we paid about $65, but then we walked in. I have heard that hotels are more expensive if you get reservations. We were there in July. I agree with Audrey, after days of going/going/going, Cinque Terre was a pleasant relief.

I was in Italy for 3 weeks on my honeymoon last June. Cinque Terre and Tuscany iwere my favorite and most romantic part of my trip. We were there for 4 days and found plenty to do. Very relaxing and beautiful and very reasonable. The people were great and very friendly. We took the boat to Portifino and explored the back streets. Hiking is great although I found it dangerous in parts. We stayed at Albergo Pasquale-right on the beach, very reasonable, owner speaks good english and was very helpful-fax #0187.81.70.56. <BR>I faxed for reservations from the states and was glad I did. We blew into town the first week of June in the middle of the week and spoke with alot of people, who couldn't find rooms. They'll give you a discount if you pay with cash. If you go eat at Agavi. Great food and very reasonable. On the beach, close to the train station. Best mussels I've had my life. It was so good we ate there 3 nights. Although it is not hopping with night life, we found a couple of great bars that were hopping and had a great time. I would go back in a minute. E-mail me if you have further questions. Have a great time.

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