Hi Frugalistas! I have an English friend who had been telling me about the Ventimiglia market just over the Italy border from France for as long as I’ve known her. Stories of Louis Vuitton handbags, Gucci wallets and other designer gear – all genuine, and for a fraction of the price. The Ventimiglia, Italy market […]
Cinque Valli Italy: the new Cinque Terre?
Hi Frugalistas! If you’ve been reading frugal first class travel for a while now, you’ll know that a few years ago I visited the Cinque Terre on the Liguria coast of Italy. It was a wonderful visit and the Cinque Terre is beautiful. But I am just starting to wonder if the Cinque Terre is overcrowded […]
Living like a queen at Liguria Holiday Homes in Pigna, Italy
Hi Frugalistas! When I was planning my recent trip to Europe I decided a stay on the French Riviera was in order. There was only one problem: it was school holidays and there was little accommodation that took my fancy in any of the places I wanted to stay. Imagine how thrilled I was to […]
Should you stay in Portofino or Cinque Terre?
Hi Frugalistas! I love getting emails from readers. Especially when it’s an email that asks an interesting question. My Cinque Terre posts are quite old now, but are still very popular. My post on day tripping from the Cinque Terre to Portofino is particularly popular. So when reader KS contacted me to ask about whether […]
Day trip Cinque Terre to Portofino
Hi Frugalistas! If the Cinque Terre is all about slow, low key travel, Portofino is definitely its glamorous, posh (and expensive) sister. Just an hour away by train, it makes one of the best daytrips from Cinque Terre . So sit back, and enjoy the visit on a day trip from Cinque Terre National Park […]
Three great walks in the Cinque Terre for non-hikers
Hi Frugalistas! For latest on my series on the beautiful Cinque Terre I’m focussing on walking. The Cinque Terre and its surrounding National Park are popular with hikers. But what do you do if you are not really a great trail walker, let alone a hiker? Well, my enthusiasm for walking doesn’t extend beyond the […]
Eating well in the Cinque Terre
Hi Frugalistas! The Cinque Terre is, like much of Italy, pure joy for frugal first class travellers. It is easy to eat well on fantastic local, seasonal food, and drink fabulous local wines, all at a bargain price! What’s not to love? So, here is the official frugal first class travel guide to eating […]
Ten tips for enjoying the Cinque Terre
Hi Frugalistas! The Cinque Terre is a very special part of Italy – laid back, casual and relaxing, it is a great place to have a holiday from your trip. While many people visit the Cinque Terre for its reknowned hiking trails, there is plenty to offer any traveller looking to experience this different part […]