It’s funny how many people on my cruise ship have fond memories of backpacking and youth hosteling through Europe when they were students. And enjoying the Mediterranean from a ship, I’ve been thinking about a little crisis percolating in my favorite stretch of Italian Riviera that I’d like to share with you. I know we have lots of Cinque Terre fans among our traveling readership. And the region that many of us consider a little paradise has been in turmoil lately — after a horrible episode in which the corrupt president of the national park colluded with a corrupt local mayor, bankrupting the Cinque Terre National Park and putting many of its services and projects on hold. It was a big step back for the region and now, in good Italian style, the government has stepped in to try to sort things out. In the middle of this mess, the wonderful Hostel Cinque Terre (housed in a building owned by the town of Manarola) faces non-renewal of its lease. I’ve been very impressed by how this hostel gives backpackers and students (just like me when I first visited the place back in the 1970s) a safe and affordable place to sleep. In case you are interested, here’s the letter I sent to the local authorities at the request of my friend Nicola (who runs the hostel). If you are so inclined, you are welcome to share your thoughts with the president of the region (links below).
Thanks,
Rick
Dear Michela Fossa, Patrizia Cavanna, and others concerned,
For twenty years I have been promoting the Cinque Terre as the finest opportunity for American travelers to experience the Italian Riviera. I can’t imagine how much my travelers have contributed to your local economy, and the joy your communities have given our American travelers. I have produced two TV shows on the Cinque Terre which have aired throughout the USA many times. These days, the typical American going to Italy dreams of seeing “Rome, Venice, Florence, Siena — and the Cinque Terre.” And many of the travelers who stay in nice hotels and eat in the finest restaurants of your region first fell in love with your region by staying in hostels.
Ages ago, a traveler had to choose between B&Bs, the Lucca hostel, and the notorious Mamma Rosa’s. I was so happy when the Cinque Terre gained the excellent hostel in Manarola, and I’ve been even happier with the passionate, creative, and energetic leadership and management that Nicola Bordoni has brought to the hostel. Now I hear that the hostel is having trouble with its relationship with the community and that its future is in question. Please understand from me, the most effective promoter of the Cinque Terre in the USA, that losing the Manarola hostel would be a terrible mistake for the region, for both the short term and the long term.
I understand the problems you and the park have had recently. But please do not lose sight of the value of having one of the best hostels on the Mediterranean coast between Turkey and Spain. I will continue to promote the Cinque Terre with all my energy — especially when the region takes care of the next generation of travelers…those who first fall in love with the Cinque Terre from the front door of the Hostel Cinque Terre. Thank you for supporting the survival of the wonderful hostel in Manarola.
Sincerely,
Rick Steves
The owner of the Hostel Cinque Terre would like readers to send emails to Claudio Burlando, the president of Liguria, here: presidente.giunta@regione.liguria.it; or comment on his Facebook page, here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claudio-Burlando-Presidente.
I’m curious as to what trouble the hostel is having with the community and exactly why their lease may not be renewed. It’s a shame that corruption has bankrupted the Cinque Terre park and I’d like to hear more details about that as well. The uniqueness of the region must be preserved at all costs, and I would think that being a UNESCO site would have ensured that.
This is too bad. I was just in Manarola less than a week ago and used the hostel to do some laundry while I was there. I was shocked at how well-kept it was and the services that they offered even to folks who were not staying there. The person behind the counter could not have been nicer.
Cinque Terre is a stunningly beautiful place. It sells itself and if not for corruption funding for services should never be an issue.
I have just returned from Cinque Terre. I checked out all 5 villages, and stayed in Vernazza, (beautiful terrace room) & Riomaggiore, (wonderful apt. with kitchen terrace). Visit Monterosso al Mare, and avoid the Hotel La Spiaggia, the owner hates Americans. This hotel is a bait & switch nightmare, he holds on to your passport like, he knows, you would run if you could get it back. He makes you pay a cash deposit, then he shows you the motel 6 room….If you get sucked in, don’t complain, you’ll never hear the end if it. Also, check the news in Italy…a train strike can leave you stranded in a village over-night with no-way out.