Becoming Acquainted

Paula J Timpano Image
06/26/2009 - 18:58

Ciao Everyone,I decided to join this community, not that I reside anywhere in Italy but I am in love with the country.  i have been to Italy for three summers, 2005-2007 and am planning another trip next summer.  My husband and I have done all the major cities, Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona, as well as all of the southern areas of Calabria and also Sicily. We have also been to Milan and Lake Garda, as well as many towns in Tuscany.  My plan for next summer is Cinque Terre.My mother's family was from Naples and my husband's ancestors are from Calabria.  I live in the state of Connecticut in the USA.  I visit Italy during the summer ( high season) only because I teach school the rest of the year.  When I retire in a couple of years I will visit either in the Spring or Fall and be able to stay longer. I am hoping one day to have a place of my own to spend my retirement days there.  If any of you have places as rentals I would love to hear from you as I am beginning to research places to stay at next summer.Great being a part of your community and I hope I hear from you.Paula

Comment

Hi Paula and welcome to the Community. The Cinque Terre is lovely and unique; however, I must warn you that rental places are scarce and generally expensive, particularly during the high season. This site, may give some idea of what is available:www.monterosso.info/bookings/default.php If you can't find anything suitable, look also into the surrounding areas, although Lerici and Porto Venere are expensive places as well.Alternatively, you can also look into the Northern Tuscany area (Pisa, Lucca, Massa Carrara) which are very close to the Cinque Terre and you can easily go there for day trips. Another warning, the Versilia Coast is also very expensive as Italians holiday there.Best wishes,

We have recently returned from a weeks holiday in Lavagna which is about halfway between Genoa and La Spezia, we found it very convenient for visiting Cinque Terre by train to avoid the terrible car parking problems.We did drive into monterosso on the first day, got details of the boat trips, a quick walk around and then returned by train, a much more sensible idea, although the scenery thoughout the drive was beautiful.Stribs 

 Hi, Paula.  I think that you might want to consider another location. If the Ligurian Coast interests you, then you might want to consider Piemonte as a second destination.  Often our guests combine the two locations because they are such a constrast, yet close to each other.  In Piemonte, it is all about the wine and the food and the scenery, some of the most beautiful wine country in the country.  Together with Liguria, it makes an ideal trip.  I know of several rentals in our area which are just wonderful, and if you want information on Piemonte, you can contact me anytime through my blog at www.creativestructures.blogspot.com

Just 30 mins from the Cinque Terre. Look around Pontremoli or Aulla. There is a train line to La Spezia. My village has a B&B but there are plenty around. Go inland there are plenty of accommodations.   I have a friend from Genova, (Italian), he rates Sestri Levanti. It is beautiful and on the coast.