You are all right! Alternative to CT in August
 

I am starting a new thread as I have taken your auggestions to heart. I even googled images in August. Not the idlyllic view I am looking for - so ...recalculate...

I do need some sea views. I have been to rhe Amalfi coast and I remember it being frenzied as well. Is there a quieter coastal town I could go and if the mood sets in, I would do a day trip to CT. I don’t need a beach per se as much as a view. Thanks again for opening my eyes!

August is top high season in Italy. Everything will be more or less crowded. Particularly beach towns.

How about going to the Dolomiti instead? The views are AWESOME and while I'm sure August is popular for hiking, it shouldn't be anywhere near as crowded as any coastal town. I have skied there and have always wanted to get back for summer!
Google some of these images....

I am sure they are beautiful but I would love the coast.

We stayed in Santa Maria Liguire and day tripped in by train to CT and walked between all five villages. And as many here say SML is a nice seaside town - it is also close to Portofino (we walked there), another Uber visited and famous 'old fishing village'.

Thanks - I have been looking at that . Was the train fairly frequent?

I with PalenQ (again!). SML is one of my favorite places in Italy (I wouldn't mind living there!) Beautiful seaside town with a nice walk (20 min) to Portofino. We also day tripped to CT from SML. Good luck with your decision!

Could anyone recommend accommodations or location?

I would think that you should pick your own location! How would we possibly pick one for you?!? Like Dayle, I'd prefer a lake side location at that time of year....

Love the lakes also, such as Lake Garda. Magnificent! (Though most of my experience is mid-lake region of Lake Como.)

However, on the Amalfi Coast, did you look at Ravello? Not nearly the crush of Positano and Amalfi -- up in the hills, with views to die for.

If you pursue it, look at Casa di Vania for lodging.

However, in August heat I would go north; if not Dolomites, consider the lakes.

i meant in SML - sorry just not getting used to the new platform. Thanks though for pointing that out.

Of the two. Which would you chose to stay in Monterosso el Mar or Vernazza?

We looked at SML and Rapallo and ended up at the Hotel Astoria in Rapallo - loved it! We were there in late Sept. IMO Rapallo is a little less "chi-chi" than SML and very convenient to all parts of the area. We took a boat to SML and beyond and then another day to the CT. We stayed four nights - I wish we had stayed longer!

I'd go to the lakes, myself, or some hideout if you can find one on the Adriatic. Nowhere that I can think of on the Med is going to be anything less than chaotic,not to mention a wallet-drainer.

You can find any information you need about trains on the TrainItalia website or Bahn.de

If you want SML (also my favorite) I might suggest some hotels if you give a budget. I've stayed in three and put clients in another.

I stayed at the Hotel Metropole a couple of years ago. Very nice, older hotel with a great location. Close/easily walkable to train station which came in very handy especially if you want to do day trips to the CT, etc.. The Grand Hotel Miramare is lovely and certainly more upscale. Beautiful pool, too. I will stay there if I return to SML.

Neither! I'm glad I chose Manarola.

Has anyone stayed in Vernazza?

i will look at SML again but I am u sure about being able to even get back and forth to CT to visit with all the crowds. I thought if I stay in CT and lwft early somewhere and come back then I will miss the big crowds....an idea.

Hi KJA,

i believe we have chatred before. Would you mind me asking why you chose Manarola?

The stunning views from La Torretta, more than enough well-reviewed restaurants to meet my needs, a bit away from the thongs at either end of the Cinque Terre, easy access to the trails and trains...
Charme & Relax | La Torretta Lodge Manarola

Thanks - I did look ar that but it is a bit over my price range.

At the moment, all four of the lower trails connecting the five towns in the Cinque Terre are closed because of the risk of landslides. Two have been closed for seven years now, and it's unlikely they'll be opened any time soon. The other two may be reopened by this summer.

This post I made the other day has more information, and a link to an official up-to-date trail information website.

https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/help-northern-italy-itinerary-including-hiking-1649520/page2/

(Post number 21)

@bvlenci Thanks I will take a look. I am not looking at very vigorous hiking at the moment. My main focus is the sea and the view.

My hope is to stay at one of the villages to be able to explore early on in the morning and later in the day. I am thinking of taking a day trip out of the villages during the day. I am still undecided about which village. Originally, I thought about Vernazza but the accommodations are scarce. My budget seems to be under 200 dollars (US but I am Canadian). I don't need fancy, just safe and clean.

Has anyone done any boat cruises or should I just use the ferry?

Many thanks.

We stayed in Vernazza in October and really liked the location. It was centrally located and easy to get to all the other villages. There was a severe flood after we visited so don't know if that affected the lodging choices. Be sure to understand the train system and ticket options...the police are unforgiving regarding any mistakes and you will be fined severely.

IME, that's true any where in Italy (and many other countries, too) -- and the rules are covered quite clearly in most guidebooks.

Regional train tickets are valid on any such train for their validity period and thus must be date-stamped yourself before boarding trains to be considered to be valid - conductors may not even come thru some trains when you are on them - thus the requirement to cancel your own tickets less they be used again. If you forget to cancel your own ticket, find the conductor, if any, before he finds and maybe fines you.

Good advice. In the scurry to get on trains, I often forget and have to backtrack.

Hurriedly so sorry if a duplication. Have you looked at Camogli?

While everyone has different experiences with the CT, we stayed in Portovenere when we explored that area. The ferry takes you to all but Corniglia, but you can take the train between villages once you get off the ferry. We enjoyed our time in Portovenere and on a different trip to Sestri Levante a little more than our time in the CT villages. Liguria is a beautiful region with great wine and great food. We did a day trip from Sestri Levante to Portofino (we did a great kayak tour there) and walked down to SML for dinner and a short train ride back to Sestri Levante. I hope you are able to find the best place for your journey.