A friend of mine - a mature, savvy gal who has toured exentively in Europe - is considering staying in CT for several weeks next summer in a hotel or small apartment. Have any of you done this? What about price? Which town(s) do you consider best for a longer stay and what about transportation to other sites - cities and islands in the Italian Riviera area.<BR> <BR>Any suggestions and advice appreciated about your general impressions of the area. Thanks - Helen

that sounds wonderful to me. I have been to cinque terre but i only stayed for a couple of days. three weeks is a long time but it would be the perfect opportunity to really relax and soak up some culture. Cinque terra is very small and does not have much night life so this person will have a bunch of time to reflect, hike, sun bath, and read. it would be easy enough to take the train on excursions to florence or other towns and return to cinque terra. i would recommend staying in vernazza and hiking to the other towns. make sure that hotel reservations are made prior to arival b/c it is a popular destination in the summer. room rates can vary widely but you can get an authentic but nice room for approx. $40 a night.

Hi Helen and Tracy. This is interesting. I never thought of staying in the Cinque Terre and training for the day to Florence. Yes? I'm a stay-put and day-trip sort of traveler and would love to hear more day-trip possibilities by train from somewhere along the CT (which location would be best for such train connections?) Thanks. J.

Several weeks in CT? That might be too long! Perhaps 3 or 4 days in Vernazza with side trips or hikes to the other towns, but the hassle of the train (not that many stop in Vernazza) to places like Florence, Pisa etc. is rather too much work. Renting a car? It will give you much more freedom. A car in Vernazza is a pain. I think a sea side town like Levanto is a better idea. It all depends on what you want to do and see and situating yourself to the best advantage in terms of least hassle and cost. I am green with envy!

A couple of years ago my daughter spent the summer singing in Lucca, and after her final performances stayed in Lucca a few days and went to CT several times just to unwind. She's the one kneeling at http://www.ccm.uc.edu/Lucca/<BR><BR>Anyone in CT could go to Lucca for the day, reversing my daughter's trips. Pisa is close enough for a day trip, too, as is Florence.<BR><BR>My daughter's report from CT is that most people would go nuts with boredom after a week, but those who like to stay put and just walk and perhaps read would find it very relaxing.<BR><BR>Train service was excellent, she reports.<BR><BR>BAK

My wife and I stayed in Vernazza for 4 days in 1999. It was a nice, relaxing break between Paris and Rome. But after 4 days, I was time to move on and do more exploring. We stayed at the Albergo Barbara for $40 Dbl/night. Hiking between the towns of the CT is great. The view just out of Vernazza on your way to Monterosso is beautiful. You are surrounded by the vineyards that blanket the hillside.

I stayed in Vernazza last April for 6 days and simply loved it! If your friend is a writer, artist type, or would simply like to read & read and relax, That would be a great spot. 3 weeks is not too long at all. She'd have a chance to get to know the locals, explore the other towns, hike, etc. I stayed at the Castle owned by the Trattoria Gianni people. A single room with a terrace was about $37 a night! However, it was literally a 100 stair climb! Gambero Rosso is a lovely restaurant. A couple of small markets as in town as well. I'm envious