A Incredible Way stop
March 28, 2009
My train ride was again a bit long, this time because I hit a stroke of bad luck. I didn't check the train schedule for getting out of Manarola and ended up waiting an hour there, then another hour in La Speize for the train to Lucca. Bummer. My connection was quick though and I was only on the trains about 90 min.
When I got here I was very impressed. They've taken the walls and have made them a walking/biking path all the around the historical part of the city. It's really neat and well worth a visit. It's small enough to see in a day, on the way to another big stop, but large enought that if you wanted to relax a bit, this could be a place to do so for a day or two.
The walk along the walls is great, you can see a lot of the city from them as you stroll. There is a bike rental available which was recommended by Rick Steves, but I chose to just walk. Walking is nice (even though my feet hurt earlier while I carried my backpack.) They had a garden show along part of the wall which was really interesting. I want so bad to pick up some seeds and take them home but I'm sure that either Customs, or my brown thumb would ruin that idea.
It started to rain on me so I turned that into internet time. Internet here is a little more expensive then other places, but it's a small cost since I'm just updating this blog and checking email.
Dinner was again amazing. I realized today that I've been splurging a bit on dinners but since I'm still in my budget I'm okay with that. Tonight it was a seafood carbonara followed by a shrimp rissoto. Too many starches, but it tasted great. Wow...I'm gonna have to learn how to make all this.
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Located right off the main street
This is a nice hostel run more like a hotel right near the main shopping street. It's very close to the ampitheater and the wall that runs around the town.
They have a resturant inside which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a vending machine which sells beer, water, soda, and snacks.
Checkin was easy (they keep your passport) but it's pretty big so getting to your room can be a bit of a walk up some stairs. I stayed in a dorm which I think they put at the back of the hotel on purpose.
Linens were provided, but a towel was not. Each room has a large locker for all of your backpack etc and your room key comes with a key to the locker. The beds were firm, but soft, and I slept very well.
The rooms are insulated from the outside so I didn't hear street noise, but inside was a bit loud. I went to bed at nearly midnight and there were a bunch of high schoolers giggling and staying up later which I could hear. I was so tired it didn't matter, but that could be annoying.
Curfew here is at midnight, and the hostel closes then. Additionally, checkout is at 9:45. While they advertise a closed period during the day from 1-4 (I think) I got in at 1 and they didn't question me going straight to my room. The front desk seemed to be staffed the entire time.
All in all I recommend this place. My dorm bed was only 18€ and they do have singles and doubles private ensuites available. The bathroom for the dorms was rather large with a toilet, 2 showers, and 3 sinks. Our dorm room had a sink too.
They have a resturant inside which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a vending machine which sells beer, water, soda, and snacks.
Checkin was easy (they keep your passport) but it's pretty big so getting to your room can be a bit of a walk up some stairs. I stayed in a dorm which I think they put at the back of the hotel on purpose.
Linens were provided, but a towel was not. Each room has a large locker for all of your backpack etc and your room key comes with a key to the locker. The beds were firm, but soft, and I slept very well.
The rooms are insulated from the outside so I didn't hear street noise, but inside was a bit loud. I went to bed at nearly midnight and there were a bunch of high schoolers giggling and staying up later which I could hear. I was so tired it didn't matter, but that could be annoying.
Curfew here is at midnight, and the hostel closes then. Additionally, checkout is at 9:45. While they advertise a closed period during the day from 1-4 (I think) I got in at 1 and they didn't question me going straight to my room. The front desk seemed to be staffed the entire time.
All in all I recommend this place. My dorm bed was only 18€ and they do have singles and doubles private ensuites available. The bathroom for the dorms was rather large with a toilet, 2 showers, and 3 sinks. Our dorm room had a sink too.
