Time to decide. I heard back from Edi's rooms in Riomagiorre and they have a double room with private bath for 60EU and one with a "beautifual view" for 70EU. Gianni Franzi in Vernazza is 85EU.

I originally wanted to stay in Manarola for because it's supposed to be pretty quiet. After reading about Vernazza being overrun with Rick Steves fans and all the stairs at Gianni Franzi (I know that's life in CT but this sounds like a LOT more than usual) I was leaning toward less expensive Riomaggiore but then I just read that Riomaggiore and Monterossa are the busiest towns so now I'm all fishmeckled.

Unless the weather is awful, we'll be on the trails and won't be in the room except to sleep anyway so the views from the room or daytime crowds are not a concern. Access to the train and trails and good, affordable dining at night are probably the most important features to us. Is anyone familiar with these choices that could give any advice in this regard? We will be there over the busy May 1 holiday if that makes any difference.

Marcia

We stayed at Francomaria in Vernazza in mid May 2004. The tourists left by late afternoon and it was very quiet at night. The only noise was from some cats fighting in the alley behind our room. Stairs were not much of a problem there and it was an easy walk from train. We loved CT and the trails were not crowded and the hiking is gorgeous. The Ligurian Sea was cold at that time but possible to wade in briefly.

I vote for V. After late afternoon like the previous poster stated it's peaceful, have you thought of corniglia, its my favorite incredible views of the sea.

They are so close by train, it really doesn't matter where you stay. We stayed in Monterosso, but found ourselves in Vernazza at the Blue Marlin every night. They are all equally beautiful and, I though, equally quiet at night. Enjoy!

Vernazza is very tranquil at night...you will have no problems with crowds in early May. It's a lovely town despite the fact that it has become a popular tourst destination.

Marcia,

That is great that you have a few options! If the rooms are much nicer at one of the locations, I would probably make that my deciding factor.

As I think I said on your other thread, we stayed in Manarola last August. We loved all the towns in the CT, but Vernazza edged out the others and was our favorite. It had 3-5 delightful restaurants on the main square and a little beach area. But it wasn't better by miles, just by a little bit. And others might well disagree.

We were there in August, which I think is another high season (but I don't know if it is more or less high season than May) and we didn't find the tourists overwhelming anywhere. I really braced for it too. I thought it would be crazy with Rick Steves books everywhere. (I imagined Rockefeller Center in December busy.) Maybe the week we were there was off, but we just didn't see it. Sure, there were plenty of people, but much less than at other tourist locations. And at night, it was so quiet and peaceful.

So that was a long way for me to say, either town is terrfic. Go with your gut. For me, I think that Vernazza edges out Riomaggiore overall, but they are all wonderful!

You seriously cannot go wrong.

Have a great trip!
Sally

Thanks for all your help. I decided to go with Gianni Franzi in Vernazza. I had already sent them an acceptance and didn't want to cancel when they were the first to respond. It's kind of hard to go wrong in such a gorgeous place and we are hardly demanding guests. I just pray I don't see any bedbugs. I saw them mentioned in some reviews for hotels in Venice. A friend brought them home from a hotel in NYC last year and getting was an absolute nightmare!

Thanks for all the help. I've got everything booked except one night and I'me just waiting to here back from one more place before I make up my mind. YAY!!! Now I can catch up on all the work I've been putting off the past 3 weeks.

Marcia