Aine

CHECK THIS OUT - I just re-looked http://www.5terre.com. Lots more info on it than last year. Boat schedules and lots of places to stay. Great website. Have fun. Sorry about the pre posting "Check ...."

paula5

Aine-thanks for all your input. It has been very helpful. We are also staying in Vernazza and I like the idea of bringing lunch munchies. Thanks again!

kct

Hi Aine, Thanks for the info. I will be in 5Terre in May (my first time) and we are staying in Montorosso. We want to do the hike. My question is...is it possible to eat dinner in another town and then make it back to Montorosso later at night via train or boat? Or, does it make sense to eat dinner in the same town you are staying in?

Huitres

kct: To answer your questions....the 5 Cinque Terre towns are all linked by a local, 5 digit train that runs all day, and up until about 10 or 11 pm at night. It is entirely feasible to stay in Monterosso, and take a train into Manarola for dinner, then return back. The boats, however, do not run that late so that would not be a good bet. Alternatively, from Riomaggiore, you can easily walk the 20-minute Via dell'Amore to Manarola. You will enjoy Monterosso al mare. It has the biggest "feel" of the 5 towns, yet is quite charming.

awbaker

Aine --

Do you know anything about Residenza Johlea I? Did you happen to check it out while staying at Johanna? I'm trying to decide between Tourist House Ghiberti or a superior double at Johlea I. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Amy

Aine

Hi Amy, I did check out Johanna, and if I went again I would stay there. It is the main residence, whereas Johlea is just kind of extra rooms down the street. It seemed a little cozier and that is the one that has the garden on top. To be honest, I would take the less expensive place in Florence as we were only there to go out. Just sleep and shower and change before dinner in the room. Spent most of our time outside and too exhausted at the end of the night but to sleep like a log!

awbaker

Thanks, aine. I am so excited about our 1st trip to Italy, but I think I am overanalysing our hotel choices. We also hardly spend time at the hotels we book, and usually wish we had saved our money for the sights, food & wine. I have grown addicted to this forum...

Aine

You will have a wonderful time! Make sure and have dinner at Il Latini, we still talk about it. I also research like a maniac when I am going someplace, and I have never had bad advice from the Fodors boards. I have been lucky enough to visit Italy 3 times now and it is my favorite. I personally feel that most places I could afford ($250 a night would be my absolute limit and I could not keep that up for long - I try go way below that) in both France and Italy I have found most rooms pretty basic and I feel you have to go really expensive to get luxury unless you get really lucky. But Italy is rustic and lovely, in the Cinque Terre we spent a night in a basic room with shower for Euro 50! it was spotless, had no view, and just a small bathroom, but it was the most perfect vacation nights we have ever had, especially when we felt we could now splurge a bit more on dinner. Fodors is amazing alright, did you search their destinations board for Italy ? always fun, and you might find some more clues for Hotels/B&Bs. Are you staying in Florence or venturing further afield? I'm getting the old Italy bug just talking to you about it.

awbaker

Thanks again for the information. I will be sure to make a reservation at Il Latini. That is my next research project -- restaurants!