Santa Magherita vs. Vernazza
 

My husband and I are planning to spend 4 days in the Italian Riviera region this September. We'd like to spend 2 nights in one town, two nights in another. <BR><BR>We're interested in Santa Margherita, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza. And we have accomodations tentatively lined up in all. <BR><BR>We're looking for input especially on Santa Margherita, because we hadn't initially thought of staying there, but the Villa Gnocchi B&B just sounds so wonderful.<BR><BR>This is our first trip to Italy (though not to Europe) -- we're in our early 30s and prefer less touristy spots.

i read this because i'm going back to the italian riviera for my honeymoon in October and was looking for info on Santa Margherita, too. <BR><BR>I have been to all 5 towns of the Cinque Terre.. back in Sep '99 and it is beautiful. I stayed in Vernazza and explored the other towns by taking the train or hiking. If you have some accommodations lined up in Vernazza, that is what I would recommend. I remember it being a little difficult for me to find a room there, but I finally found one just from talking to several locals. I'm sure the area is more touristy than it was, but Sep will be a great time to be there. When I was there in Sep, it was probably 75 degrees, sunny, and you could still swim in the water. <BR><BR>I will check back to see if you find out some scoop on Santa Margherita.

Santa Margherita is a resort town, unlike Vernazza and Riomaggiore<BR><BR>So, there is a good selection of hotels including some classic old ones, there are yachts in the harbor, and the restaurants and shopping are more suited to resort vacationers. But, it's beautiful and very charming. It's also just a few minutes from Portofino, which is a tiny but very luxe town and worth visiting for part of a day <BR><BR>I think if you're looking to experience two "different settings" you'd be wise to spend two night ins Santa Margherita and 2 nights in either Vernazza or Riomaggiore. IMHO, I didn't think there was enough of a difference between any of the Cinque Terra towns to justify staying overnight in more than one.

Keri-My husband and I (we are both in our late 20s)spent this past easter in Moneglia, which is 2 towns away from the CT (about 10 minutes by train). We stayed at Hotel Villa Edera, in the B&B part which is a converted castle. See my reivew of the hotel on the Fodors site. We loved Mongelia because it was much much less touristy than the actual CT towns, we still had easy access to CT and were able to do the hike and everything. Moneglia has a pretty beach, a "strip" with restaurants and shops, and cute little cobbled alleys with more shops and restaurants. We would go back in a heartbeat.

Keri,<BR>My wife and I spent four nights in Santa Margherita in end May. We stayed at the Hotel Fiorina at Piazza Mazzini. It is family-run and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. It is not along the promenade, but Santa Margherita is a small delightful town and everywhere is within short walking distance.<BR><BR>Your plan to spend two nights each in Santa Margherita and Vernazza is ideal. I was unable to do that because all the hotels in Monterosso were full when I enquired two weeks prior to my departure.<BR><BR>When in Santa Margherita, do visit Portofino; and do not miss Camogli.<BR><BR>One suggestion about the Cinque Terre. Try not to visit this place during the weekend. When I visited on May 26, a Sunday, all the five towns were packed with tourists and Italians from other parts of the country. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful place to visit.