Rapallo, Italy
 

Thinking about using Rapallo as a 2 day stop over from Nice on my way to Milan. Would like to take a peek at Portofino and St. Margherita Ligura and take a one day excursion to the Cinque Terre. <BR> <BR>Is Rapallo a good enough base to do both as I don't want to bother with moving luggage? I believe Rapallo has its own train stop right? <BR> <BR>Or, is St. Margherita Liguria more accessible? Looking for convenience from train as opposed to the "prettiest" place. <BR> <BR>Thanks for any help!!! <BR>Ellen

Rapallo is your perfect base. We have stayed there twice, our favorite place in Italy. The Hotel Miramare is right on the water, just in front of the dock for the boats that either go up to Portofino and Santa Margherita or down to the Cinque Terre villages. You can get on and off the boat or walk between some of the C.T. villages and catch the boat to the next place. Hotel Miramare is a dream of a hotel with some of the nicest management possible and is extremely reasonable. About $75 for a double. E-mail me if you'd like a brochure and more info. No, I don't work for them. I just like the hotel so much that on our last visit I asked for some brochures to give to friends. We originally chose Rapallo as our base because of the train connections to anywhere in Italy. The station is about an easy 7-minute walk from the Miramare. You don't say when you are going. The boats run up to Sta. Margherita and Portofino all year, but to Cinque Terre only from June through Sept. We were there the first time in May and the second in October, so we "missed the boat" both times. However, it is easy to take the train down to Rio Maggiore and then walk back or take the train. It only costs a few dollars to take the train, one ticket will take you to Rio Maggiore with all the stops in between you want and back on on the same ticket. It's no cheaper to buy a ticket to just the closest village to Rapallo. I really envy you. I know you'll have a wonderful trip.