ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1278

best place in town for top-end Italian beers (daily until well after 24:00, Via Fegina 90, tel.
0187-802-525).
Nuovo Eden Bar , overlooking the beach by the big rock just east of the train station, is
a fine place to enjoy a cocktail or fancy ice cream with a sea view. Their happy hour (daily
16:30-21:00) means €6 cocktails come with a snack. Locals consider their ice cream (either
to go from the streetside stand, or fancy and sit-down) the best in town. Consider this place
for a pre-dinner drink or dessert with a view.
Sleeping in Monterosso
(€1 = about $1.30, country code: 39)
Monterosso, the most beach-resorty of the five Cinque Terre towns, offers maximum com-
fort and ease. The TI Proloco just outside the train station can give you a list of €70-80
double rooms. Rooms in Monterosso are a better value for your money than similar rooms
in crowded Vernazza, and the proprietors seem more genuine and welcoming. To locate the
hotels, see the Monterosso al Mare map.
In the Old Town
$$$ Hotel Villa Steno is lovingly managed and features great view balconies, panoramic
gardens and a roof terrace with sun beds, air-conditioning, and the friendly help of English-
speaking Matteo and his wife, Carla. Of their 16 rooms, 12 have view balconies (Sb-€110,
Db-€170, Tb-€195, Qb-€225, includes hearty buffet breakfast, ask about discount with cash
and this topic, Internet access and Wi-Fi, laundry, parking-€8—reserve in advance, Via
Roma 109, tel. [phone] or 0187-818-336, www.villasteno.com , [e-mail] ) .
It'sa15-minutehike(or€8taxiride)fromthetrainstationtothetopoftheoldtown.Readers
get a free Cinque Terre info packet and a glass of the local sweet wine, sciacchetrà, when
they check in—ask for it.
$$$ Albergo Pasquale is a modern, comfortable place with 15 rooms, run by the same
family as the Hotel Villa Steno (above). It's conveniently located just a few steps from the
beach,boatdock,tunnelentrancetothenewtown,andtraintracks.Whilethereissometrain
noise,it'smostlyalullabyofwaves.Locatedrightontheharbor,ithasanelevatorandoffers
easier access than most (same prices and welcome drink as Villa Steno; air-con, all rooms
with sea view, Via Fegina 8, tel. [phone] or 0187-817-477, www.hotelpasquale.com ,
[e-mail] , Felicita and Marco).
$$$ Locanda il Maestrale rents six small, stylish rooms in a sophisticated and peaceful
littleinn.Althoughrenovatedwithallthemoderncomforts,itretainscenturies-oldcharacter
under frescoed ceilings. Its peaceful sun terrace overlooking the old town and Via Roma