As a newcomer to Fodor's (and quite possibly the next incurable addict), I hope someone can advise me on train travel between Nice and CT -- I think the closest town would be Vernazza, but not positive, i.e., how long, how often, both going and coming. My tentative plans are to stay in Nice 3 nights, travel to CT for 2 nights, back to Nice for either 1 night or if the timing is right, catch an EasyJet flight to Paris eliminating an extra night in Nice.

And I might as well ask for hotel recommendations in Nice and Vernazza or whatever town is the best destination point from Nice. I do intend to hike to the 5 towns.

Thank you in advance,
Naomi

Hi Naomi,

I can help you with part of the question since we are headed that way this week! If you check the Eurorail.com website, you should be able to find timetables from Nice. The train trip from Nice to Genoa takes just under 3 hours.

From Genoa, you'd switch to the local and hourly Genoa-La Spezia train, which stops at each village in Cinque Terre. I think if you search trenitalia you will be able to find the exact stops.

Good luck!

What's your price range for Nice, and when do you plan to be there? Do you want to stay near the Promenade des Anglais or more in the town center? Will you have a car?

Tentative plan is to be in Nice Sept 26/28, train to 5C returning to Nice Oct. 1, fly to Paris Oct. 2. I won't have a car and I would like to be in a central location with preference being close to the Promenade. I like unique hotels as opposed to chains, preferably *** or a good **.

To: Weadles
Thank you for the train info. I'll check it out. Have a wonderful trip and if you have any info/tips upon your return, please email me.

Thanks!

You might check out the Beau Rivage, one block off the Promenade des Anglais and very close to the Cours Saleya. The hotel has recently been renovated in a contemporary style, and room rates are good on several discount sites.

A few others in Nice to check out:

Hotel Grimaldi ( I think it's a 3-star, though it may be a 4-star)

The West End ( also 3-4 star)

Hotel Flots d'Azur ( if it still exists, was an excellent 2-3 star)

We'll be in Nice this week, staying again at Hotel Westminster, a 4-star on the Promenade des Anglais. We really like it there, but the hotel has had it's share of recent maintenance problems. Still, for the $$$ and location ( only about 15 minutes to Vieux Nice) and across the street from the sea, it's fine for us.

Good luck, and please post a report when you get back!

One bit of advice about hotels: September is still high season in Nice, so do get reservations ASAP.

Thank you to Underhill and Weadles for all your help. I'm glued to my computer working on reservations. I'll let you know how this all works out.

Ciao!

To: Underhill and Weadles
I got a reservation at Kyriad Nice as your recommendations were booked. It had good comments and should suit me fine - not in the room that much anyway. Debated about Hotel Flots d'Azur, but it seemed a little removed from the main part of Nice and I'm w/o a car. Looking forward to my trip and thanks for your help.

Naomi