Cinque Terre News
The Disaster of October 25th
An unusually severe rainstorm brought flash flooding and landslides, to the Cinque Terre towns of Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare — filling the streets with rocks, mud and debris up to 12 feet deep. Three people drowned in Vernazza and one in Monterosso — a tragic but thankfully small number of victims.
In November, relief workers removed all the mud from both towns, and work began to rebuild the streets and sewer systems. Many businesses will be up and running this spring and summer; others — especially in harder-hit Vernazza — await renovation and financial assistance.
Read a traveler's story of surviving the October 25th disaster.
See photos and videos of the disaster scene and the progress that is being made toward rebuilding
Recent news from Monterosso: Watch a remarkable new video from the disaster.
Recent news from Vernazza: Two businesses have reopened — will more follow soon?
A Rainbow of Art for Vernazza
Slideshow: A Rainbow of Art for Vernazza On the morning of January 6th, more than 50 artists descended on the damaged town. Each painter took a lifeless, boarded-up doorway along Via Roma...and transformed it into a work of art.
Vernazza Digs Out from Disaster
Updated 2/20/2012
Good news for travelers! Many hotels, restaurants, and other services will be reopening in Vernazza and Monterosso this spring and summer. Researched and updated by our friends at Save Vernazza and Rebuild Monterosso, these lists (linked below) give you a good idea of what to expect:
Monterosso is returning to normal more quickly, but that should not stop travelers from spending time in Vernazza as well. Regardless of where you plan to stay, please contact your hotel in advance. Everything in nearby Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, and Levanto is up and running as normal. Trail restoration work is underway, and the Levanto-Monterosso and Riomaggiore-Manarola trails are open now.
Rick Steves will visit the Cinque Terre in late April. From that point on, we will add our own guidebook updates here. We are committed to encouraging travelers to visit this magical corner of Italy in 2012, and to help its economy rebound. As a part of this effort, we have permanently reduced the price of Rick Steves' 2012 Heart of Italy in 9 Days tour (which visit the Cinque Terre) by $400 per seat.
Two important ways you can help:
1. Visit the Cinque Terre in 2012. This corner of Italy — especially Vernazza — needs travelers to keep their economy afloat. A family-run hotel or restaurant will not survive waiting a year or two for business to return. Honestly, you'll be a hero. If you can't make it in 2012, think of what you'd normally spend during a day in Vernazza or Monterosso, and donate that amount to one of the groups listed below!
2. Donate to local relief groups. We trust and recommend these:
- Save Vernazza is a very active and engaged non-profit organized by American ex-pats in Italy
- Per Vernazza Futura is a non-profit fund set up by the municipality of Vernazza
- Monterosso has also set up a municipal relief fund called Rebuild Monterosso